Lega Volley Femminile A1 2023

Imoco sweep Milano and charge forward at the top of the standings

Swedish star Isabelle Haak pushed the league leaders to the victory with 20 points

Published 10:36, 04 Feb 2024

In great form, Haak led Imoco's offense against Milano (Photo: LVF)

Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano are more comfortable than ever at the top of the standings of the 2023-2024 Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A Tigotà at the conclusion of the sixth leg of the second round of the regular season on Sunday.

The defending champions had one of their most dominant performances in the season and took second-placed Allianz Vero Volley Milano down in front of a sold-out Palaverde, in Villorba, to create a six-point separation from their chasers in the Italian League table.

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Now undefeated in their last 30 matches, the Panthers pleased their fans with an emphatic 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-18) win over Milano in the rematch of the last two Lega Femminile Finals. It was also the third victory obtained against their rivals this season as Imoco also triumphed in the Italian Supercoppa and in the first round of the regular season.

With their 19^th victory in the Italian league this season, Imoco have now reached 54 points in the standings. Milano, who only dropped matches to the defending champions, continue at 48, with 17 triumphs.

Swedish star opposite Isabelle Haak rose to the occasion and led Imoco’s offense with 20 points, having tallied 17 kills, two blocks and one ace. The 24-year-old scoring machine was selected as the match’s MVP.

Despite Haak’s extraordinary performance, Imoco’s setter Joanna Wolosz also managed to keep the other hitters involved as outside hitters Kathryn Plummer and Kelsey Cook had 11 and nine points respectively, while middle blocker Marina Lubian registered ten, including four aces.

“It was wonderful to play such a great match in front of these amazing fans and even better to win it,” said Wolosz. “I believe we weren’t entirely focused at the beginning and a team of Milano’s quality would certainly take advantage of it, as they did. But we found our rhythm and kept it until the end to get another important victory. This result puts us in a very good spot to finish first in the regular season, but I’m sure we’ll play Milano again with big things on the line, so this match is good motivation for us to keep working hard.”

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Opposite Paola Egonu, who was honored by her former club Imoco before the start of the match, was the top scorer of the encounter, registering 22 points, with 17 kills, four aces and one block. Another former Imoco player, outside hitter Myriam Sylla produced nine, with eight kills and one block.

Novara gain ground on Milano

Imoco’s victory in the Derby also benefited third-placed Igor Gorgonzola Novara, who triumphed over the weekend as well and are now just three points behind Milano, with 45 (15 wins, four losses).

Novara were at home on Sunday and succeeded against Honda Olivero S. Bernardo Cuneo, getting a 3-1 (25-10, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17) win. Opposite Vita Akimova was the match’s top scorer with 21 points (18 kills, two aces, one block).