Haak leads Imoco to another five-set victory

The top two teams in the 2023-2024 Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A Tigotà, Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano and Allianz Vero Volley Milano were strongly challenged in the fourth leg of the second round of the regular season, but both managed to get wins over the weekend and retain their positions in the standings ahead of the start of the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa.

The only undefeated team in the Italian League, Imoco have now 48 points, with 17 victories. Milano are second with 45, earned with 16 wins and one loss.

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

Imoco played on the road on Sunday and were able to survive a tie-breaker for a second straight weekend in the Lega Femminile. The Panthers trailed twice, but were able to react and beat Roma Volley Club 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 24-26, 25-18, 15-4).

Star opposite Isabelle Haak was a major factor in Imoco’s comeback as the 24-year-old Swedish topped all scorers with a 28-point performance, built with 27 kills and one block. Middle blocker Marina Lubian and outside hitter Khalia Lanier were also pretty effective, with 16 points apiece.

“I think we did a good job,” said Imoco’s setter Madison Bugg. “We don’t create any expectations going into matches, we just try to remain focused and play our best game. Today Roma played very well, especially on defense, and (Erblira) Bici was incredible.”

Highlighted by Bugg, Albanian opposite Erblira Bici was one of two Roma players to have 20+ points in the match, tallying 24 (23 kills, one block). Spanish outside hitter Jessica Rivero added another 20, with 16 kills, three aces and one block.

Milano top Chieri in five

Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri, who had taken Imoco to five sets last weekend, did it again on Sunday against Milano. Playing on the road, the second-placed team in the standings came back to win 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-27, 15-13) in a very tight match.

Italian national team stars Myriam Sylla and Paola Egonu were pivotal in Milano’s victory. The outside hitter was the match’s top scorer with 19 points (17 kills, one block, one ace), getting one more than the opposite, who produced 16 kills, one block and one ace.

“It was a battle and we were ready for that, we knew that Chieri weren’t going to give up,” middle blocker Raphaela Folie reacted. “We didn’t have a good start and made way too many mistakes, especially with our serving, but we got the job done and secured the win.”

Lega Femminile - Match Schedule and Results

The weekend round started on Saturday in Italy, when Wash4Green Pinerolo secured an important 3-1 (27-25, 21-25, 25-19, 32-30) victory over Megabox Ondulati Savio Vallefoglia. Romanian opposite Adelina Budai-Ungureanu (24 points) and Swiss opposite Maka Storck (20) led the team’s offense.

On Sunday, Volley Bergamo 1991 defeated Honda Olivero S. Bernardo Cuneo 3-1 (25-22, 15-25, 25-23, 29-27), Igor Gorgonzola Novara beat Uyba Volley Busto Arsizio 3-1 (25-12, 25-15, 24-26, 25-10), Il Bisonte Firenze swept Itas Trentino 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-15) and Savino Del Bene Scandicci got a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-18) victory against Trasportipesanti Casalmaggiore.

The next leg of the Italian League will be held next week, with one match on Saturday and six on Sunday. Before that, however, the top eight teams in the first round of the regular season will start their campaigns in the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa. The quarterfinals of the event will be played on Wednesday – Imoco vs. Firenze, Milano vs. Roma, Scandicci vs. Pinerolo and Novara vs. Chieri.

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Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A1 Tigotà
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