The league leaders of Ortona were on a run of nine consecutive wins until Potenza Picena came around. And Moretti and co did it in style by playing spectacular volleyball to clinch it at the tie-break. Tartaglione seems to like the Abruzzo region, he had been outstanding in the cup in Chieti and he had another tremendous performance in Ortona, finishing top scorer with 19 points.

“We faded along the way while Ortona found their balance even without Michalovic – explained spiker Tartaglione – They were pushed by the whole arena, but we managed to snatch it at the tie-break despite one bad call from the refs. It was like it was the cup final all over again, but this time we have been better than the opponent despite that bad luck”.