With Scandicci holding a five-point lead (19 to 14) over Chieri, they’re not at risk of being caught by their opponents in case of a loss, but triumphing at home could not only make their position in the top four safer, but also move them closer to Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano (24) and potentially make them catch or pass Igor Gorgonzola Novara (21) and Allianz Vero Volley Milano (20).
Scandicci have six wins in eight matches so far and enter this weekend’s duel against Chieri in a three-match winning streak – they have won their last five matches including CEV Champions League encounters.
“The team did very well in the last five matches, losing just one set, but this will be a key week for us,” Scandicci’s head coach Marco Gaspari said. “We’ll have three difficult matches in six days, starting with Chieri, who can no longer be considered a surprise because of what they did in the last few years, especially last year, when they finished fourth.”
Chinese superstar outside hitter Zhu Ting has been a key piece in the team’s recent good form. The 28-year-old Asian has been on the court in seven of the team’s eight matches and reached double digits in scoring in six of them, including the last five. She’s coming from a 15-point performance against Honda Olivero S. Bernardo Cuneo last weekend.