José Miguel Gutiérrez

Havana, February 7 (JIT) - Several Cubans playing in the Italian Volleyball Super League 2024 and in the first division championship of France had effective performances in the last day.

In the sixth date of the second round of the Italian competition, Roberlandy Simón scored eight points for Piacenza and contributed to the victory against runner-up Perugia by 3-1 sets (18-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-18) in almost two hours of action.

The middle blocker totaled four attacks in five attempts for an efficiency of 80%. He also had four blocks and ranked fourth in that department and second among the best middle blockers by all-around performance. He scored a point for service, a line in which he anchors the team.

His teammate Yoandy Leal, a Brazilian nationalized player, was the top scorer with 24 points. For Perugia, Cuban opposite Jesús Herrera had an ephemeral presence, scoring three points.

Osniel Mergarejo was the second highest scorer for Milano, with 11 points, in the win over bottom-placed Catania by 3-1 sets (24-26, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20).

Civitanova also scored success against Modena, by sweep of 25-21, 27-25 and 25-23, in a challenge in which Cuban Marlon Yant had a single and fleeting entry, according to the official website of the event.

The youngest of this group of West Indians, José Miguel Gutiérrez, continues his good performance despite being part of a second-to-last placed team, Taranto, which could not prevent Cisterna's success.

Gutiérrez, 22 years old, was the top scorer of the game with 20 points, 17 of those by attacks in 24 attempts, for a high effectiveness of 71%.The Villaclareño achieved 67 % of positive receptions and 42 % of perfect receptions to place himself, in the latter, at the head of all participants. He also ranks fifth in receptions and sixth among corner attackers.In the other result of the day, the leader of the championship with 16 wins and one loss, Trentino, swept Monza with scores of 25-12, 25-17 and 25-17.

They are followed in the standings by Perugia (13-4), Piacenza (11-6), Civitanova (12-5) and Milano (9-8), the first five of the 12 teams that will meet again next Sunday.