Defending champions Imoco continue on top in the Italian League
Published 12:22, 20 Nov 2023
Novara are tied with Imoco with 21 points (Photo: LVF)
Igor Gorgonzola Novara needed no time to bounce back after their first setback in the 2023-2024 Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A and returned to winning ways on Sunday, at the conclusion of the eighth round of the regular season.
Playing on the road, Novara were challenged in each of the three sets by Megabox Ondulati Savio Vallefoglia, but delivered when it mattered to walk away with a 3-0 (29-27, 25-23, 25-13) victory.
Opposite Vita Akimova was Novara’s leading scorer with 22 points (19 kills, three aces), followed by Hungarian outside hitter Szakmáry Gréta, who tallied 11, all in kills. Italian national team middle blocker Anna Danesi also had a solid display with nine points (four kills, three blocks, two aces).
"We didn't expect an easy match, but we came here with the goal of winning 3-0 and taking the three points," Akimova reacted. "I think that in the key moments of each set our focus and our clarity made a difference. We had some difficult moments like every team does, but the most important thing was that we were able to limit them and still manage to win the set."
Opposite Camilla Mingardi fired 20 points (18 kills, two aces) for Vallefoglia, while outside hitter Beatrice Gardini also got to double digits in scoring with ten (eight kills, two aces).
Despite Novara’s triumph, they continue in second place in the standings with seven wins and a loss. The only undefeated team in the Italian League, defending champions Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano got to their seventh victory on Sunday, matching Novara’s 21 points, but having the edge in the tie-breakers.
Imoco faced Volley Bergamo 1991 on Sunday and won 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-17), getting their fourth sweep in the season. Swedish star opposite Isabelle Haak topped all scorers with 15 points (14 kills, one block), followed by American outside hitter Kelsey Cook, who registered 12 (11 kills, one block).
Ranked third and fourth respectively, Allianz Vero Volley Milano and Savino Del Bene Scandicci also triumphed over the weekend. Milano took care of business at home, downing Wash4Green Pinerolo 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-17), while Scandicci went on the road and topped Honda Olivero S. Bernardo Cuneo 3-1 (25-11, 25-19, 18-25, 25-20).
On Saturday, Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri defeated Itas Trentino 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-17) at home and Roma Volley Club secured a 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 28-26, 21-25, 15-13) road victory over Trasportipesanti Casalmaggiore. The seventh and final match of the week had a 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-22) win of Il Bisonte Firenze over Uyba Volley Busto Arsizio on Sunday.
On Wednesday, the two matches that were postponed because of the Italian Supercoppa will be held, with Milano playing Chieri at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT) and Imoco hosting Roma at 20:30 local time (19:30 GMT).
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