Alan Nine
MODENA – Cucine Lube Civitanova opened their 2026/27 SuperLega campaign with a straight-sets victory at Verona, while Milano made it three wins from three in women’s Serie A1. Elsewhere, Camilla Mingardi powered a remarkable comeback in Japan with 41 points, and Monza were left short at setter ahead of their league opener.
SuperLega: Nikolov fires Civitanova to opening-night victory
Cucine Lube Civitanova made a convincing start to the season, beating Rana Verona 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 28-26) away from home. Aleksandar Nikolov led all scorers with 19 points and sealed victory with an ace on Lube’s fourth match point.
After controlling the opening two sets, Civitanova held off a stronger Verona challenge in the third. Their serving and blocking proved decisive: Lube fired nine aces to Verona’s two and outblocked the hosts 7-2. They also converted 61 per cent of their attacks, compared with Verona’s 55 per cent.
Without setter Micah Christenson and middle blocker Lorenzo Cortesia, Verona found greater rhythm in the third but could not force a fourth set.
The opening round continues on Sunday, with Padova hosting Piacenza and Guillermo Falasca returning to former club Cisterna for his first league match in charge of Milano.
Women’s Serie A1: Milano end Novara losing run, Chieri bounce back
Numia Vero Volley Milano ended a run of six consecutive defeats against Igor Gorgonzola Novara with an emphatic 3-0 victory (25-19, 25-18, 25-15) at the Opiquad Arena in Monza.
In front of 3,586 spectators, Milano took their tally to nine points from three matches, with Paola Egonu leading all scorers on 18. Khalia Lanier added 13 and Rebecca Piva contributed 11.
Anna Danesi earned MVP honours with nine points, including six blocks. Milano’s strength at the net, combined with Francesca Bosio’s setting, kept the hosts in command throughout.
Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 bounced back from their defeat by Conegliano with a 3-0 win over Granda Volley Cuneo (25-13, 25-13, 25-21).
Logan Eggleston was named MVP after scoring 14 points. Cuneo threatened a late response in the third set but could not extend the contest and remain without a point in the standings.
Italians abroad: Mingardi’s 41 points power Himeji fightback
Camilla Mingardi delivered a 41-point performance as Victorina Himeji overturned a two-set deficit to beat NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki in their SV.League opener.
Himeji prevailed 3-2 (23-25, 14-25, 29-27, 25-23, 15-13), fighting through three closely contested sets to complete the comeback.
The Italian opposite put away 40 of her 89 attacks and served an ace. Mira Todorova added 15 points, including six blocks, while Sylvia Nwakalor finished with 20 for NEC.
The teams meet again on Sunday 18 October.
Transfer news: Zimmermann departure leaves Monza short at setter
Jan Zimmermann has left Vero Volley Monza for ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle after just three training sessions with the Italian club.
The German setter had joined as cover for injured Andrew Rowan, who is expected to return in late November. His departure leaves 19-year-old Leonardo Bonacchi as Monza’s only available setter for Sunday’s trip to Prata.
At Cisterna, meanwhile, head coach Daniele Morato confirmed that newly arrived middle blocker Shikun Peng is available to face Milano.
International: Turkish fixture fails to start, Tifanny granted temporary clearance
The Efeler Ligi fixture between Sultanbeyli Belediyespor and ON Hotels Alanya Belediyespor did not go ahead after the home players failed to take the court.
A decision from the Turkish federation was still pending, with no result officially awarded.
In Brazil, an interim court ruling allowed Tifanny to play for Osasco in the Super Cup and the 2026/27 women’s Superliga.
The Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV) said it would appeal, stressing that the authorisation was temporary and that the underlying eligibility dispute remained before the sporting justice system.
