Ligue A Look-In #6: Will We See Montpellier UC on the Podium?

Note: To spread excitement for one of the top professional men’s leagues in the world, VolleyMob will profile each of the 12 teams competing in French Ligue A during the 2017-2018 season.

ESSENTIAL LINKS

STORY LINES

After finishing with a 14-8 record and one point behind Chaumont 52 in the 2016-2017 table, Montpellier UC is poised to build on a promising regular season that ended with a Ligue A playoff loss to Nice in three closely contested sets (23-25, 24-26, 20-25). For his efforts in putting together such a viable contender, head coach Olivier Lecat was named 2016-2017 Ligue A coach of the year.

Players to Watch

Setter Davide Saiita, who will again dish out assists for the side from the south of France, will continue to rely on 6-9 (207 cm) opposite Jean Patry, who competed for France in 2017 World League play. Montpellier also brings in two transfers from Ligue A rival Paris Volley, middle Kevin Kaba and receiver/attacker Thiago Sens. Montpellier’s youth movement includes middle Damien Barry, who won’t celebrate his 20th birthday until December.

Players Arriving

Andri Aganits from Stade Poitevin Poitiers in French Ligue A
Kévin Kaba from Paris Volley in French Ligue A
Thiago Sens from Paris Volley in French Ligue A

Players Leaving

Julien Lavagne to Paris Volley in French Ligue A
Thomas Koelewijn to Stade Poitevin Poitiers in French Ligue A
André Radtke to Narbonne Volley in French Ligue A

3 Must-See Matches

Montpellier UC v. Sète (Oct. 14, 2017) Home opener against neighboring south-of-France rivals from just 30 km away.
Montpellier UC v. Spacer’s Toulouse (Oct. 25, 2017) How will Montpellier stack up against the side that reached last season’s Ligue A finals?
Montpellier UC v. Chaumont 52 (Jan. 20, 2018) Big home match against last season’s champions.

2017-2018 ROSTER

* Indicates new roster addition

Rei Bassereau, receiver/attacker
Gustavo Delgado, receiver/attacker
Julien Lecat, receiver/attacker
Andrii Diachkov, receiver/attacker
Joachim Panou, receiver/attacker
Leo Chevalier, receiver/attacker
Thiago Sens, receiver/attacker
Jean Patry, opposite
Damien Barry, middle
Kevin Kaba, middle
Jean Labot, middle
Daryl Bultor, middle
Andri Ananits, middle
Clement Diverchy, setter
Hugo Caporiondo, setter
Davide Saiita, setter
Ludovic Due, libero
Nadir Douib, libero