Lega Volley Femminile A1 2024/25

Busto shock Scandicci and celebrate first victory of the season

Zhu debuts with Conegliano, who are now the only undefeated team in the country

Published 11:01, 27 Oct 2024

Busto players celebrate a massive win over Scandicci (Photo: Lega Volley Femminile)

Eurotek Uyba Busto Arsizio’s first victory in the 2024-2025 Lega Volley Femminile Serie A1 Tigotà was a huge one as the traditional Italian side upset last year’s runners-up Savino Del Bene Scandicci on Sunday in the fourth leg of the regular season.

It was just the eighth time that Busto prevailed over Scandicci in 25 duels and the first time since 2022 they managed to do it, winning again after four consecutive victories of their opponents.

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Playing in front of over 2,000 fans at the E-Work Arena, Busto had by far their best performance in the season, dominating Scandici to produce a 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20) win that earned them their first three points in the standings and bumped them up to 12^th place.

In order to upset Scandicci, Busto counted on an excellent performance from opposite Josephine Obossa, who produced 24 points, with 23 kills and one ace. With 13 points each, Belgian middle blocker Silke Van Avermaet and Swiss outside hitter Laura Künzler also played big roles in their victory.

“We did a very good job,” head coach Enrico Barbolini said. “We knew we had to be more aggressive and present than in previous matches. I felt that when we realized we could challenge Scandicci, the players got hungrier and started believing that they could make mistakes if we kept them under pressure. We were very good at keeping our focus as well.”

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Olympic champion opposite Ekaterina Antroprova matched Obossa’s production with 21 kills, two aces and one block, but was the only Scandicci player to get to double digits in scoring. The team remained with nine points (three wins, one loss) and now appears in fourth place in the standings.

“Not many things worked well on our side today,” said Belgian outside hitter Britt Herbots. “Our blocking and defense didn’t work and they played very aggressively, taking advantage of every opportunity they had. We just weren’t intense enough.”

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On Sunday, Numia Vero Volley Milano narrowly avoided a similar upset, prevailing after five sets to beat 14^th-placed Honda Olivero Cuneo 3-2 (23-25, 25-13, 25-18, 21-25, 15-12). Olympic champion outside hitter Miriam Sylla carried the team’s offense with 21 points (20 kills, one ace). Milano are second with 12 points (four wins, one loss), while Cuneo scored their first point in the season (four losses) and continue at the bottom of the standings.

Zhu debuts as Conegliano continue undefeated

Defending champions Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano benefited from two of their main rivals dropping points to create some separation at the top of the standings and lead the Italian League with 15 points (five wins) after their 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-23) home win over eighth-placed Bergamo.

Brazilian star Gabriela ‘Gabi’ Guimarães was the match’s MVP with 14 points (12 kills, two blocks), but it was another Conegliano outside hitter who became the focus of the fans at the stadium as Chinese superstar Zhu Ting appeared in the first two sets of the match to play her first match for the team, contributing six points, with four kills, one block and one ace.

“Our team is finally at full strength now and it showed on the court,” Olympic champion middle blocker Marina Lubian reflected. “We played very well, especially in the first two sets. Seeing Gabi and Zhu together today was special. Matches will start getting tougher now and it will become even more important to have every player available.”