Egonu shines and leads Milano to dramatic five-set win over Roma

Superstar opposite Paola Egonu was the difference in the most exciting match of the ninth leg of the second round of the regular season of the 2023-2024 Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A Tigotà.

The 25-year-old Italian star brought her best game to the court and helped her team Allianz Vero Volley Milano come back twice to top Roma Volley Club 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-21, 18-16) at the Opiquad Arena, in Monza, on Sunday.

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Egonu was unstoppable during the match and left the court with 30 points to her name, having registered 26 kills, three aces and one block, and took home the encounter’s MVP award. It was her second-highest-scoring performance in the Italian League this season, only behind a 33-point showing against Savino Del Bene Scandicci back in October.

French outside hitter Héléna Cazaute also stepped up for Milano, delivering 18 points (14 kills, three aces, one block), two more than American middle blocker Dana Rettke, who tallied 11 kills, three aces and two blocks.

“I was pleased to see how well we managed to react in the game, especially in the tie-breaker,” Cazaute, who scored the game-winner, reflected. “Roma pushed hard and played a very good match offensively, but we still managed to earn two important points.”

Roma’s Albanian opposite Erblira Bici played an extraordinary match, leading all scorers with 34 points (33 kills, one block). The second-highest scorer in her team was Brazilian Olympic medalist middle blocker Ana Beatriz ‘Bia’ Correa, who produced 12, with 11 kills and one ace.

The two points earned against Roma were enough to keep Milano in second place in the standings with 53 points (19 wins). They were caught by Igor Gorgonzola Novara, who also got to 53 points after a 3-1 (25-16, 19-25, 25-20, 25-20) win over Il Bisonte Firenze on Sunday, but have only 18 wins. Scandicci, who topped Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22) also on Sunday, are fourth with 52 (18 wins).

Chieri claim a playoff spot

The outcome of these two encounters also determined Chieri’s presence in the playoffs of the 2023-2024 Lega Femminile. Currently in fifth place (39 points, 12 wins), the team needed a point against Scandicci to get out of Firenze’s reach until the end of the regular season, but with their opponents’ defeat, they are guaranteed even with their upset.

Lega Femminile - Match Schedule and Results

Wash4Green Pinerolo gave an important step to becoming the sixth side guaranteed in the postseason. The team earned a 3-1 (25-20, 11-25, 25-18, 26-24) road win over Volley Bergamo on Saturday and now have 34 points (11 wins) – another 3-0 or 3-1 win will clinch a spot for them.

Also on Saturday, league leaders Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano handled Trasportipesanti Casalmaggiore 3-1 (17-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-19) to remain undefeated with 22 wins and get to 63 points in the standings – they need just three more to secure the first seed entering the playoffs.

The other two matches held on Sunday had Megabox Ondulati Savio Vallefoglia sweeping Itas Trentino 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-15) at home and Honda Olivero S. Bernardo Cuneo downing Uyba Volley Busto Arsizio 3-1 (25-11, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18).

The tenth leg of the second round of the regular season will be held during the week, with all seven matches set to be played on Wednesday.

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