A brilliant performance by star opposite Paola Egonu propelled Allianz Vero Volley Milano to secure the win in the first derby of the 2023-2024 season of the Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A, on Sunday, against Savino Del Bene Scandicci.

With the win, Milano remains one of just three undefeated teams in the Italian League following the conclusion of the third week of the regular season alongside defending champions Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano and Igor Gorgonzola Novara, which both also triumphed over the weekend.

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

The duel between Milano and Savino Del Bene was the best of the weekend in Italy as it featured plenty of star power, incredible turnarounds and drama until the last point of Milano’s 3-2 (27-25, 25-16, 25-27, 22-25, 16-14) victory at home.

Undoubtedly the biggest signing made by a club for the current Italian League season, the 24-year-old Egonu has been delivering accordingly and it was no different on Sunday, when she produced a match-high 33 points (30 kills, two aces, one block) in Milano’s win.

Also delivering a strong performance for Milano was American middle blocker Dana Rettke, who contributed 13 points, all in kills, and was awarded as the match’s MVP.

“We did a great job in bringing this win home because it was very important for us,” middle blocker Laura Heyrman said. “We know we are a strong team, but we’re still having some ups and downs and will need to work on it. We have great potential as a team and this match showed it.”

Opposite Ekaterina Antropova, with 19 points (15 kills, two blocks, two aces), and middle blocker Linda Nwakalor, with 18 (11 kills, six blocks, one ace), were the main scorers for Savino Del Bene, who also counted on 14 points from each of Chinese star outside hitter Ting Zhu and Brazilian Olympic medalist middle blocker Ana Carolina ‘Carol’ da Silva.

Lega Femminile - Match Schedule and Results

Defending champions Imoco went on the court on Saturday and secured their third victory of the season, on the road, against Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 18-25, 27-25). Leading Imoco’s triumph were middle blocker Marina Lubian, who had 19 points (11 kills, four blocks, four aces), and outside hitter Kelsey Cook and opposite Isabelle Haak, who added 17 points each.

The third undefeated team in the season, Novara also dropped a set on the road but were able to emerge with a 3-1 (25-17, 25-16, 26-28, 25-20) victory over Wash4Green Pinerolo. Opposite Vita Akimova led all scorers with 23 points (22 kills, one block), followed by outside hitters Anne Buijs and Caterina Bosetti, with 16 and 14, respectively.

The weekend in Italy also featured the first win of Japanese star outside hitter Mayu Ishikawa with her new team, Il Bisonte Firenze. Playing at home, they benefited from 15 points (13 kills, two blocks) from their new signing to beat Volley Bergamo 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-22).

The other matches of the weekend had Megabox Ondulati Vallefoglia topping Honda Olivero S. Bernardo Cuneo 3-1 (13-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22) on the road, Roma Volley Club overcoming Uyba Volley Busto Arsizio 3-2 (25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 23-25, 15-13) at home and Trasportipensanti Casalmaggiore handling Itas Trentino 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-13) in front of their fans.

Next weekend’s Italian League match schedule will feature just five matches as Milano and Imoco will be busy with the Italian Supercoppa, which will be played in Livorno, on Saturday.

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