Novara fall to Casalmaggiore and waste golden opportunity

Trasportipesanti Casalmaggiore’s excellent form in the 2023-2024 Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A Tigotà got in the way of Igor Gorgonzola Novara’s aspirations of moving to second place in the standings when the teams met in a postponed match of the second leg of the second round of the regular season on Saturday.

The only Italian League match held on the weekend of the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Final Four had Casalmaggiore securing their fourth-straight victory, while Novara saw their five-match winning streak come to an end.

• Watch Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A1 matches live on VBTV.

Playing at home, in Cremona, Casalmagggiore fed from the energy of their fans to continue trending in the right direction in the Italian League, coming from behind to produce a 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24) victory over Novara.

The result might have not moved Casalmaggiore up from tenth place, but reduced their difference to Roma Volley Club, the first team ranking above the qualification line for the playoffs in eighth place, to just four points (27 to 23) with six more matches to be played until the end of the regular season.

Polish opposite Malwina Smarzek was the top scorer on the winning side, registering 25 points, with 24 kills and one block. American outside hitter Simone Lee also had a solid performance, with 19 points (18 kills, one block).

“We’re very happy that the hard work we’re putting in is taking us to the place we belong in the standings,” Lee commented. “Today, we fought for every ball and never gave up. We did a really good job and I’m happy to be a part of this team.”

Lega Femminile - Match Schedule and Results

Novara, who stay put in third place with 47 points, two behind Allianz Vero Volley Milano and ten less than league leaders Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano, had outside hitter Caterina Bosetti as their main scorer, with 19 points (18 kills, one ace).

“Unfortunately we got nervous in the second set, when Casalmaggiore started their comeback, and that moment determined the outcome of the match,” middle blocker Sara Bonifacio reflected. “Their defense was very effective and we couldn’t find a way to make our offense stronger. We need to learn from this match so it doesn’t happen again.”

The eighth leg of the second round of the Italian League regular season will take place next weekend, with three matches on Saturday and four on Sunday.

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