With the relegation battle now over, Essence Hotels Fano’s final game of the season travels to Villa d’Agri (Potenza) to face Waldo Kantor’s surprise team Rinascita Lagonegro (Sunday at 6:00 PM).
It’s a game of no consequence for either team, although the locals will be eager to finish the regular season on a high note in front of their home crowd and prepare for the playoffs. Potenza has had an excellent season, having recently been promoted to sixth place.
Fano, for its part, is coming off three good matches, earning five points, crucial to securing its place in the division: “In recent weeks,” says center Stefano Mengozzi, “we’ve worked very well, with dedication and enthusiasm. We’re coming off three good matches, and our goal is to finish this season on a high note.”
In his second consecutive year with Virtus, the middle blocker from Romagna highlights the team’s rediscovered spirit: “Lately, I’ve seen last year’s spirit return,” says “Mengo.” “Kapica’s arrival has certainly given the team a boost, but now we’re all really doing well.”
Fano made an epic comeback in the first leg, turning the tables on a 3-2 win thanks to a late block by Merlo on Cantagalli. Cantagalli is expected to start opposite setter Sperotto, while Serbian Andonovic and the experienced Raffaelli will play at spikers, with Armenante ready to step in. The middle blockers will be Tognoni and Arasomwan, with Fortunato as libero.
It’s within their own walls that Rinascita has built its survival and points haul, even though they will be facing a Fano team that has managed to win away five times this season.
