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Antropova (17) scored 19 games to help Scandicci sweep Milano (Photo: LVF)

Savino Del Bene Scandicci started the semifinals of the 2023-2024 Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A Tigotà on the right foot and made the most of their homecourt advantage to triumph in the first match against Allianz Vero Volley Milano on Saturday.

The best-of-three series continues on Wednesday, at 20:30 local time (19:30 GMT), in Milano, and Scandicci will guarantee a spot in the Italian League Finals with another victory.

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

Playing in a packed Palazzo Wanny, in Firenze, Scandicci were better in the decisive moments and opened the series with an emphatic 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-22) win in front of their home fans.

The match had a breathtaking duel between the two top Italian opposites at the moment, with Scandicci’s Ekaterina Antropova scoring a match-high 19 points (15 kills, three aces, one block) to prevail over Milano’s Paola Egonu, who left the court with 17 (14 kills, three aces), and take home the MVP award.

“In the playoffs, everything can change from one match to the other,” said Scandicci’s head coach Massimo Barbolini. “I think today the team kept a great mentality as we played point by point when we were down in the first two sets. Last year we also won the first match, but allowed them to come back, so we need to do everything we can to end the series in Milano on Wednesday this time. They are one of the best teams in the world and small details can make a difference.”

Scandicci, who are looking to appear in the Italian Finals for the first time in club history, also counted on 13 points (ten kills, two blocks, one ace) from Chinese superstar Zhu Ting to beat their rivals after five consecutive losses – the last Scandicci victory in the encounter had happened almost a year ago.

Veteran middle blocker Raphaela Folie was the only other Milano player to score in double digits with 12 points (six kills, six blocks) – outside hitter Myriam Sylla added nine, with seven kills and two blocks.

“I think we paid for the mistakes we made in decisive moments today,” said Milano’s setter Alessia Orro. “They were really strong in the second half of each set and we couldn’t keep up with that. I felt our attitude wasn’t right in some moments too and we’ll need to change that for Wednesday.”

Lega Femminile - Match Schedule and Results

On Wednesday, Milano will be back at home and will try to level the series, keeping their hopes of playing in the Italian League Finals for a third-straight season alive.

Imoco and Novara duel on Sunday

The second semifinal series, involving Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano and Igor Gorgonzola Novara will start on Sunday. The defending champions will be at home, in Villorba, in the first encounter, which is set to begin at 20:30 local time (19:30 GMT).

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Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A1 Tigotà
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