Roma’s Gabriela Orvošová was the leading scorer in the first week of action in Italy
Published 11:21, 06 Oct 2024
American Olympic medalist Avery Skinner was the MVP in Chieri's victory over Novara (Photo: Lega Volley Femminile)
Paris 2024 Olympians Lucille Gicquel and Avery Skinner helped Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 produce the first upset of the 2024-2025 Lega Volley Femminile Serie A1 Tigotà as the two were instrumental in the team’s victory over Igor Gorgonzola Novara on Sunday.
Another six matches were held over the weekend in Italy, officially starting the regular season in the 80th edition of the country’s women’s national league.
With Gicquel and Skinner combining for 35 points, Chieri triumphed in a dramatic 3-2 (25-22, 16-25, 25-22, 15-25, 15-11) battle with Novara, securing their first triumph in the new season – the French opposite led the team with 18 points (13 kills, three blocks, two aces), while the American Olympic medalist outside hitter added another 17, all in kills.
With the two producing at a very high level, Chieri managed to secure the win despite outstanding performances from Novara’s Japanese outside hitter Maya Ishikawa and Russian opposite Tatiana Tolok, who tallied 22 points apiece.
“We hope we can play at this level in every match against teams of Novara’s caliber because it means we’re close to them,” Chieri’s head coach Giulio Cesare Bregoli commented. “That’s our goal: to play at a similar lever to theirs and make them work hard every time. In the tie-breaker, it was about the details. They could also have won the match, but I’m happy that we did it.”
In another five-setter, Il Bisonte Firenze got the better of Megabox Ondulati Savio Vallefoglia, triumphing 3-2 (27-25, 21-25, 19-25, 27-25, 15-12). One of the team’s signings for the season, opposite Adhuoljok Malual shone with a match-high 21 points (20 kills, one block), two more than Vallefoglia’s American outside hitter Simone Lee.
The main scorer of the Lega Femminile’s opening weekend was Czech opposite Gabriela Orvošová, who tallied 27 points (22 kills, four blocks, one ace) in Smi Roma Volley’s 3-1 (26-28, 30-28, 25-20, 25-19) victory over Cda Volley Talmassons Fvg – Ukrainian opposite Anastasiia Kraiduba played a great match for the team that’s making its debut in the Italian elite, registering 21 points (16 kills, four blocks, one ace).
The winner of the last six editions of the Italian League, Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano had a strong debut, downing Eurotek Uyba Busto Arsizio 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-14) on Sunday. Star Swedish opposite Isabelle Haak led the Panthers with 15 points (12 kills, two aces, one block), followed by American outside hitter Khalia Lanier, who produced 13, with ten kills, two blocks and one ace.
“We’re happy with our performance, we know it’s always important to start the season getting all three points and we did that,” she reacted. “It was great to play in front of our fans again. It was a great celebration and I hope it was the start of another amazing season for us.”
Last year’s runners-up Savino Del Bene Scandicci appeared in the opening match of the season, on Saturday, and had a smooth 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 26-24) win over Honda Olivero Cuneo, facilitated by an 18-point (14 kills, three blocks, one ace) performance of Olympic champion opposite Ekaterina Antropova.
Another of the favorites, Numia Vero Volley Milano overcame the absence of star opposite Paola Egonu, who will have surgery next week, and came back to top Wash4Green Pinerolo 3-1 (38-40, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20). Outside hitters Nika Daalderop, with 19 points (16 kills, two blocks, one ace) and Miriam Sylla, with 16, all in kills, led the team.
Lega Volley Femmnilie – Match Schedule & Results
The seventh match of the weekend had Bergamo beating recently-promoted Bartoccini-Mc Restauri Perugia 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-19) on the road with 12 points (11 kills, one block) scored by Czech outside hitter Michaela Mlejnková.
The second week of the regular season in Italy will have one match next Saturday and six on Sunday.
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