Alan Nine
Bergamo’s five-set comeback at Novara provided the standout result in the Italian women’s top flight, while Talmassons and Milano maintained their perfect starts. The Serie A2 programme delivered five away wins and three tie-breaks, and Civitanova set up an all-Italian final against Milano at the Jesi Volley Cup.
Women’s Serie A1: Bergamo fight back to stun Novara
ChorusLife Volley Bergamo overturned a 2-1 deficit to beat Igor Gorgonzola Novara 3-2 (25-20, 21-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-10) at the PalaIgor.
Former Novara middle blocker Silke Van Avermaet played a decisive role against her old club, earning MVP honours with 15 points, including five blocks and three aces. She also put away the match-winning quick attack to complete Bergamo’s comeback.
Five Bergamo players reached double figures, while Tatiana Tolok’s 29 points were not enough to secure victory for Novara.
CDA Volley Talmassons FVG made it six points from two matches with a 3-1 home win over Granda Volley Cuneo. Setter Francesca Scola was named MVP after orchestrating an attack led by Frosini with 21 points, Grabic with 18 and Gannar with 14.
Numia Vero Volley Milano also took maximum points for the second match running, beating CBF Balducci HR Macerata 3-1. Paola Egonu scored 21 points and Khalia Lanier added 20, while libero Eleonora Fersino collected the MVP award.
Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 swept Brescia 3-0, with Reagan Cooper earning MVP honours after scoring 11 points and converting 60 per cent of her attacks.
Il Bisonte Firenze secured their first win of the season by beating Omag Consolini Volley 1907 in straight sets. Middle blocker Sara Caruso led all scorers with 13 points, including six blocks, as Firenze finished with 13 blocks overall.
Women’s Serie A2: Costa Volpino and Padova win on the road
Costa Volpino and Altafratte Padova came out on top in the day’s two headline fixtures, both claiming four-set victories away from home.
Costa Volpino beat Roma 3-1, with Puck Hoogers taking the MVP award after scoring 20 points and Longobardi contributing 17. Perović scored 29 for Roma, but the hosts paid for 31 errors and fell short despite late rallies in the third and fourth sets.
Padova recovered from losing the opener to defeat Monviso 3-1, imposing themselves at the net with 16 blocks. Setter Martina Stocco earned MVP honours, with Mazzon scoring 18 points and Fiorio adding 16. Pistolesi finished with 31 for Monviso.
Erreci Busto Arsizio kept their unbeaten start intact with a 3-0 win at Marsala. Busto rallied from 21-19 down in each of the opening two sets before pulling clear in the third. Mija Siftar led the way with 20 points and was named MVP.
Perugia bounced back from their opening defeat by sweeping Altamura 3-0, combining 14 blocks with an MVP performance from Francesca Michieletto.
The remaining three matches all went the distance. Club Italia edged Messina 15-13 in the fifth, Offanengo won 3-2 at Fasano, and Itas Trentino twice fought back from a set down against Imola before running away with the decider 15-7.
SuperLega pre-season: Civitanova rally to reach Jesi final
Cucine Lube Civitanova came from a set down to beat Suntory Sunbirds Osaka 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-20) and book a place in the Jesi Volley Cup final against Allianz Milano.
Civitanova’s block proved decisive, with the Italian side outblocking Suntory 14-3. They also held a five-to-two advantage in aces.
Alex Nikolov led the winners with 21 points, converting 59 per cent of his attacks and contributing four blocks and an ace. Ben Tara scored 17 for Suntory, while Chitigoi added 12.
Milano await in the final after their 3-1 victory over Olympiakos Piraeus in the other semi-final.
