Lausanne, Switzerland, February 25, 2019 - There's been more super action from volleyball's top international stars across the world this past weekend in leagues around the world, promising an exciting FIVB season ahead, following the club competitions. Here are some of the highlights.
Argentina captain Luciano de Cecco was named match MVP as he masterminded a 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-20) win on the road for Sir Safety Conad Perugia in the Italian League this weekend to keep his side comfortably at the top of the standings, with four matchdays left until the end of the Regular Season. Serbia's Aleksandar Atanasijevic was top scorer of the match with 16 points.
Inspired by the performance of top scorer Uros Kovacevic of Serbia (17 points) and match MVP Luca Vettori of Italy (14), Itas Trentino swept Kioene Padova 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-16) to keep up the chase in the standings.
• Elsewhere across the world , 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship MVP Bartosz Kurek of Poland was instrumental in Onico Warsaw's 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23) win on the road over table leaders ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle in the Polish PlusLiga, scoring 27 points.
• And Poland's Jakub Kochanowski was named match MVP in PGE Skra Belchatow's comeback win 3-2 (15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 15-13) over Aluron Virtu Warta Zawiercie that keeps the winners' hopes alive for a Playoffs ticket.
• USA's Talyor Sander top-scored once again with 20 points for Sada Cruzeiro in their 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-18, 25-14) win over Fiat / Minas Tenis Clube, that keeps the Contagem side at the top of the table in the Brazilian Superleague.
• Russia's Maxim Mikhaylov, MVP of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, scored 19 points and France's Earvin Ngapeth added another 15 as Zenit Kazan outplayed Nova Novokuybyshevsk 3-1 (25-13, 33-31, 24-26, 25-17) to stay atop of the standings in the Russian Superleague.
• In women's action, Zhu Ting of China scored 24 points as she led VakifBank Istanbul to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-19) win over crosstown rivals Eczacibasi VitrA in the Turkish League. Lonneke Slotejes of the Netherlands and Kelsey Robinson of USA added another 14 and 11 respectiveley for VakifBank, as they handed their opponents their first defeat of the season.
• Midweek, Tijana Boskovic of Serbia had scored 27 points as Eczacibasi held off Uralochka in Ekaterinburg 3-2 (25-20, 25-22, 19-25, 22-25, 15-8) to remain undefeated in the European Champions League and secure a spot in the quartefinals with a match to spare. Korea's Kim Yeon-Koung added 17 and USA's Jordan Larson 16 for the Turkish side.
• Russia's Irina Voronkova lifted Lokomotiv Kaliningrad to yet another win in the Russian Superleague, scoring 15 points (including 10/15 in attack and 3 blocks) as they overcame Leningradka 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-11) to retain the lead in the standings with three matchdays to go until the end of the Regular Season.
• Led by Italy's Valentina Tirozzi (18 points) and USA's Karsta Lowe (17) Imoco Volley Conegliano beat Club Italia Crai 3-1 (31-33, 25-15, 25-17, 29-27) to take advantage of the 3-1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-20) defeat of Igor Gorgonzola Novara in the hands of Sagella Team Monza and break clear at the top of the Italian A1 League table.
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