LNV: Playoff Picture Set in France
Saturday was the final day of regular season action in France's LNV, and multiple Canadians were playing for their future. Here's what went down and how the playoff picture finished.
Ajaccio 3 - Sète 0
GFC Ajaccio decided to take their destiny into their own hands with a huge 3-0 win over Sète to be the last team to confirm their spot in the playoffs. With Rudy Verhoeff (Calgary, Ab) coming up big with nine points (5 kills, 4 blocks), they also pushed all the way to sixth.
Toon van Lankvelt was huge for Lyon this year, finishing second in points with 359 (285 kills, 55 blocks, 18 aces) points this season. Photo: ASUL Lyon
Lyon 3 - Toulouse 1
A nice little three-game winning streak for Lyon capped off by a 3-1 win over Toulouse on Saturday secures them the third seed heading into the playoffs. Adam SImac (Ottawa, On) came up big with 13 points (5 kills, 6 blocks, 2 aces) while Toon van Lankvelt (Rivers, Mb) added 12 (11 kills, 1 ace). Simac's block total on the season ends at 75, good for 5th in the LNV.
Playoff preview
On the cusp of relegation only a year ago, ASUL Lyon has made some incredible improvements this past year, grabbing the sixth-seed. In two meetings this season, they have yet to drop a set to the team from the island of Corsica. On the flip side, Ajaccio is known for one of the most loyal fan-bases in France, and an away game on the island might not be such paradise.
Next Match: Friday April 10th - 2:00 p.m. EDT/ 11:00 a.m. PDT
Tours 3 - Beauvais 1
Make it nine in a row for Tours VB heading into the playoffs to defend their LNV Championship. Nick Hoag's (Sherbrooke, Qc) haven't lost a match since February 5th, and were able to push all the way to fourth after a slow start to the season.
Playoff Preview
While Tours finished six points ahead of the fifth-placed Sète, we're clearly in for a tight match-up. Sète took home both matches against the defending champs this year with 3-0 and 3-2 wins. With a spot in the semi's on the line and a lot to prove on both sides, this could be the most exciting match-up o the quarterfinals.
Next Match: Friday April 10th - 2:00 p.m. EDT/ 11:00 a.m. PDT
Béziers 2 vs. Hainaut 3
In a match that meant very little to them a a whole bunch to their opponent, the Angels fall 3-2 to Hainaut in the final game of the regular season. Rebecca Pavan (Kitchener, On) led all blockers with six stuffs and added three kills in a loss that allowed Hainaut to avoid relegation.
Playoff Preview
A rematch of last year's semi-final, Béziers will be looking to avenge a series lost that went the limit and saw Nantes move on to the final. For Béziers, they'll have to continue doing what they did this year - winning both matches against last year's LNV runners-up by 3-2 and 3-1 scores.
Next Match: Friday April 10th - 2:00 p.m. EDT/ 11:00 a.m. PDT
Burt, Nantes Avoid Relegation with Win over Paris
Sometimes, it's just about who wants it more. Despite a 32 point difference between the two teams, Nantes clinched a spot in the "Ligue A" for next season with a 3-1 win over Paris. Max Burt (Gander, NL) hit a perfect 100% on two attempts, seeing action in three of four sets. While they didn't make playoffs, the feeling of narrowly missing relegation must be relieving.
Tourcoing 1 - St-Nazaire 3
The final game of the season and the final match in France's top division went pretty much the same way as the rest of their season. Obviously Dan Jansen van Doorn (Langley, BC) didn't get the memo though, as he dominated with six blocks and added five kills.