Ndiaye’s Ace Storm and Elouga’s Block Party Propel France Past Bulgaria in a Sizzling VNL Showdown…Read More…
France’s women’s volleyball team delivered one of their most complete and high-energy performances of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Thursday, defeating Bulgaria in an emphatic 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-20) win, driven by Awa Ndiaye’s thunderous serving and Léa Elouga’s towering presence at the net.
In a must-win contest that tested France’s composure and tactical discipline, it was Ndiaye’s five aces and Elouga’s seven blocks that turned the tide in Les Bleues’ favor. The duo lit up the Tissot Arena and turned a competitive matchup into a statement victory, pushing France a step closer to VNL playoff contention.
Set One: Ndiaye Sets the Pace with Electric Serving
From the moment she stepped onto the court, Ndiaye was dialed in. Her serving rhythm was flawless, and her power left the Bulgarian backline scrambling. Two of her five aces came in the opening set, both landing untouched in the corners. France fed off her momentum and quickly built an early 9-4 lead.
With outside hitter Lucille Gicquel hammering home six kills in the set, and libero Amandine Giardino anchoring the defense, France took the opener 25-21. Bulgaria, though stunned by France’s pace and service pressure, refused to go quietly.
Set Two: Bulgaria’s Resilience Surfaces
Bulgaria’s seasoned captain Elitsa Vasileva stepped up in the second frame, showing why she’s still one of the most reliable outside hitters in Europe. Her high-angle spikes and crafty tips helped Bulgaria push back with renewed energy. Setter Lora Kitipova began distributing the ball more effectively, bringing middle blocker Nasya Dimitrova into play to exploit the gaps in France’s block formation.
The French side faltered slightly, committing four unforced reception errors and missing key defensive assignments. Bulgaria took full advantage and edged the second set 25-22, leveling the match and swinging the momentum temporarily in their favor.
Set Three: Elouga Takes Over the Net
If Ndiaye owned the baseline, Elouga made the net her domain. With perfect timing and anticipation, she neutralized Bulgaria’s attack in the third set, tallying four of her seven blocks in the span of eight points. She was a constant thorn in the side of Vasileva and young opposite Petya Barakova, reading their approaches and setting an impenetrable wall.
A pivotal moment came at 17-17, when Elouga pulled off a triple-block solo — rejecting a powerful spike straight back onto the Bulgarian floor. The play not only gave France the lead but also deflated Bulgaria’s morale. The French offense, led by Juliette Gelin and Lucille Gicquel, fed off the energy and closed out the third set 25-19.
Set Four: Team France Unites for the Finish
With momentum on their side and the crowd firmly behind them, France kept their foot on the gas. Ndiaye added her fifth ace early in the fourth set, again targeting the Bulgarian libero with pinpoint precision. Héléna Cazaute, the playmaker of the night, distributed clean sets to both pins and middles, keeping the Bulgarian blockers guessing.
Elouga chipped in two more blocks, and Giardino’s incredible diving saves kept long rallies alive. France’s defense, which had at times been vulnerable in previous matches, looked impenetrable. With Bulgaria tiring and misfiring — committing six attack errors in the final set — France pounced on every mistake.
Lucille Gicquel delivered the final blow with a soaring kill off a sharp Cazaute back set, sealing the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.
Post-Match Reactions: Confidence, Strategy, and Unity
“I felt locked in from the start,” said Ndiaye, who was named player of the match. “I’ve been training hard on my serve, and today it paid off. The energy from my teammates gave me confidence to just go for it.”
Elouga, the defensive pillar, credited the coaching staff. “They gave us a solid scouting report. I knew where their hitters preferred to go, so I trusted my instincts. And once you get a couple of blocks, the rhythm just builds.”
Coach Émile Gianni praised the team’s resilience and execution: “This was the type of response I wanted to see after our last match. Bulgaria is a tough team with great experience. To come out and dominate in service and net play shows how far this squad has come.”
What’s Next: France Gathers Momentum
The win improves France’s record to 7-4 in the VNL and puts them in strong contention for a playoff berth. Their final group-stage matches include critical clashes with Japan and Canada — both of which could determine their path to the quarterfinals.
With Ndiaye firing on all cylinders and Elouga controlling the frontcourt, France is peaking at the right moment. The chemistry is undeniable, and the hunger is visible in every set they play.
Bulgaria’s Road Ahead
For Bulgaria, this loss complicates their playoff hopes. With only two wins in their last five matches, they’ll need to regroup fast if they hope to stay alive in the tournament. Vasileva was frank post-match: “We couldn’t handle their service pressure, and our attack lacked precision. We need to fix that immediately.”
Their next match against Serbia could be make-or-break.
Conclusion: France on Fire
On a night when the stakes were high, it was France who rose to the occasion — and they did it with style, swagger, and substance. Ndiaye’s devastating serves and Elouga’s dominant blocks were the highlights, but this victory was about collective belief. If they continue on this trajectory, France could be one of the surprise forces in this year’s VNL — and possibly beyond.
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