Conegliano, Milano, Scandicci, Bergamo and Chieri undefeated after the conclusion of the second leg of the Italian League
Published 10:19, 13 Oct 2024
Gaia Giovannini's strong play gave Vallefoglia the edge in their five-set battle against Perugia (Photo: Lega Volley Femminile)
Olympic champion Gaia Giovannini made a difference with an MVP performance and pushed Megabox Ondulati Savio Vallefoglia to secure their first victory in the 2024-2025 Lega Volley Femminile Serie A1 Tigotà on Sunday.
After the conclusion of the second leg of the regular season in Italy, Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano, Numia Vero Volley Milano, Savino Del Bene Scandicci, Bergamo and Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 are the teams that remain undefeated.
Vallefoglia, who had lost to Il Bisonte Firenze in the tie-breaker last week in their opening match, were on the right side of a five-set battle on Sunday, beating Bartoccini-Mc Restauri Perugia 3-2 (25-12, 19-25, 32-30, 15-25, 19-17) in only five-setter of the weekend to celebrate their first victory in the Italian League.
A member of the Italian national team that won gold at the Paris Olympics two months ago, the 22-year-old Giovannini ended the match with 19 points (17 kills, two aces) and was selected as the MVP. She was Vallefoglia’s second-best scorer, only behind Albanian opposite Erblira Bici, who produced 23 points, with 19 kills, two blocks and two aces.
“The first set was surprisingly easy, but we knew that Perugia are a team that fights for every ball and that the rest of the match should be very different,” Giovannini reacted. “They pushed us a lot, but I feel that we were better in the decisive moments. I am happy for our victory, but also because our attitude was much better than in the first match. We still have a long way to go, but today we were solid and determined.”
Despite the defeat, Perugia had the match’s top scorer in Hungarian opposite Anett Németh, who tallied 27 points, with 25 kills and two blocks.
At the end of the second leg of the regular season, five teams remain undefeated in Italy. One of them are defending champions Conegliano, who on Sunday overcame Cda Volley Talmassons Fvg on the road 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-18) with star Swedish opposite leading the way with 19 points (15 kills, three blocks, one ace).
Last year’s runners-up Scandicci are also among the teams with perfect records. On Sunday, they played crosstown rivals Firenze as visitors and counted on 18 points (15 kills, two aces, one block) from Olympic champion opposite Ekaterina Antropova to triumph 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-23).
Milano also benefited from the star power of their gold medalists to celebrate their second victory in the season as middle blocker Anna Danesi (14), outside hitter Miriam Sylla (nine) and setter Alessia Orro (five) combined for 28 points as they beat Smi Roma Volley 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-15).
Chieri, who defeated Honda Olivero Cuneo 3-0 (25-21, 28-26, 25-18) on the road with American Olympic medalist Avery Skinner delivering 25 points, and Bergamo, who also played as visitors and counted on 17 points from 18-year-old middle blocker Linda Manfredini to overcome Eutotek Uyba Busto Arsizio 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17), remain on track after two legs as well.
Held on Saturday, the other match of the weekend had Igor Gorgonzola Novara triumphing 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-21) over Wash4Green Pinerolo. German outside hitter Lina Alsmeier had a match-high 13 points.
For the first time in the season, the Lega Femminille will have midweek matches, with Milano facing Chieri on Wednesday, at 20:30 local time (18:30 GMT), and Perugia hosting Conegliano on Thursday, at the same time. Both matches were anticipated from the 13th leg.
Lega Volley Femmnilie – Match Schedule & Results
Next weekend, the third leg of the regular season will be held, with one duel on Saturday and six on Sunday.
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