A night of wonder. Domotek Volley reacted with steel after losing Game 1 and overwhelmed Conad Reggio Emilia at the PalaCalafiore, tying the playoff series to secure Serie A2 status. On a day of a near-perfect team performance, middle blocker Andrea Innocenzi shone brightly, putting in a superb performance that earned him unanimous praise from the press and fans.
“The most determined Domotek of the year, in my opinion,” Innocenzi began.
The verdict on the field was clear: 3-0 or so, with the Reggio team capable of undermining the Emilian team, a Coppa Italia finalist and dominating the other group. A display of strength, character, and competitive determination that completely reopens the game ahead of the double-header in Reggio Emilia.
“First and foremost, it was extremely important, crucial to win at home so we can definitely get back here for Game 4,” Innocenzi emphasized. “So this is extremely important. We tied the score, which isn’t bad at all, and it was a very aggressive game on our part. So, good.”
The middle blocker held nothing back, putting in one of his best performances of the season. When asked if this was his best night, his answer was sincere and without rhetoric: “Yes, yes, yes, of course, of course. Good, good. I hope I did well,” he admitted. “I give my best to the team, so I’m happy with just that. Now that I feel a little better, I can give even more.” A message that sounds like a warning to Conad ahead of Game 3.
Innocenzi had words of great respect for his direct opponents, middle blockers Sighinolfi and Barone, considered among the strongest in the league. “I can only learn from them,” he admits without false modesty. “They have a setter who loves playing center, so they’re even more valued. It’s an honor to play against them.” On the decision to start him in the starting six, a decision made practically at the last minute: “The coach often does that,” explains Innocenzi. “Second practice, finishing touches, warm-ups: you play, you don’t play, but you prepare yourself to the max.”
The unprecedented scenario of Game 3 on Easter Sunday (under the net at 5 p.m. in Reggio Emilia) doesn’t faze Domotek, but it does raise a few smiles. “I would have preferred to play again on Saturday in Reggio Emilia, so we could have Easter off,” confesses Innocenzi. “But the League rightly put Sunday on. We hope our fans follow us closely on Legavolley’s live coverage on Easter Sunday. It could work in our favor. We’ll go there, and it won’t matter if we celebrate or not: we’ll try to fight and win.”
