Alan Nine
Berlin Recycling Volleys held their nerve in a five-set final to claim a fifth successive German Ligacup, while newly promoted Royan stunned defending French champions Montpellier with a comeback from two sets down. In the United States, unbeaten Nebraska lead the NCAA committee’s first Top 16 ranking of the season.
International: Berlin retain Ligacup, Royan stun Montpellier
Andrea Anastasi’s Berlin Recycling Volleys secured their fifth consecutive German Ligacup title with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over hosts Helios Grizzlys Giesen (27-25, 23-25, 25-20, 26-28, 15-13).
Giesen twice drew level, edging a tense fourth set to force a decider, but Berlin prevailed 15-13 to retain the trophy. Tom Koops, Nolan Flexen and Alexandru Rață finished with 22 points apiece, while Giesen’s Lars Migge earned tournament MVP honours. The event drew a record attendance of 5,320.
In France, newly promoted Royan delivered an opening-round upset in the Alterna VOLSTAR, overturning a two-set deficit to beat reigning champions Montpellier 3-2 (22-25, 22-25, 29-27, 25-22, 15-13).
Cheikh Diop spearheaded the comeback with 31 points, including three aces and two blocks. Royan kept the match alive by edging the third set before taking the next two to complete a memorable start to life in the top flight.
Italian volleyball: Players’ association backs Coscione after threats
The Italian Volleyball Players’ Association has expressed its full support for Manuel Coscione after the Cuneo setter received death threats and his family were targeted with abuse on social media following a late error against Perugia.
Coscione has taken steps to involve the authorities. The association reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on cyberbullying and intimidation.
NCAA: Unbeaten Nebraska top committee’s first rankings
Nebraska head the NCAA Division I women’s committee’s first Top 16 ranking, with the Cornhuskers extending their unbeaten start to 19-0.
Pitt are second at 17-1 and Kentucky third at 15-3, followed by Wisconsin and Florida. The provisional ranking covers matches played through 17 October and offers an early indication of potential national tournament seedings, rather than a final bracket.
Nebraska beat Purdue 3-1 (25-13, 20-25, 25-19, 25-14), hitting .303, recording 12 blocks and producing a season-high 64 digs. Four players reached double figures in kills, led by Teraya Sigler with a career-best 15.
The Cornhuskers are now 8-0 in the Big Ten and remain the only unbeaten team in Division I.
The national tournament bracket will be announced on Selection Sunday, 29 November. The Alamodome in San Antonio will host the semi-finals on 17 December and the championship match on 20 December.
SuperLega: Padova sharpen preparations for Civitanova trip
ACH Volley Ljubljana edged Pallavolo Padova 2-1 (25-21, 30-28, 23-25) in a three-set training match at the Kioene Arena.
Amir Golzadeh scored 12 points against his former club, with Lorenzo Orioli adding 11 for Padova. The hosts outblocked Ljubljana 8-5, but the Slovenian side held the advantage in attack, converting 52 per cent of their attempts against Padova’s 46 per cent.
Padova now turn their attention to Sunday’s visit to Cucine Lube Civitanova. Lube head coach Giampaolo Medei views the straight-sets opening win at Verona as a starting point, stressing that his side still need greater rhythm and consistency.
Civitanova’s first home match of the regular season starts at 18:00 on 25 October, with the club’s early-season work geared towards the Super Cup in Parma in mid-November.
Beach volleyball: Coretti and Lafuenti prepare for Dakar
Italy’s women’s under-18 beach volleyball team will gather at the Bruno Zauli Olympic Preparation Centre in Formia from 24 to 28 October for a training camp ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Technical director Caterina De Marinis has selected Margherita Coretti and Micol Lafuenti, with Davide Chiappini joining the staff as coach.
The pair will travel to Senegal immediately after the camp and are due to return to Italy on 5 November. Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic event held on African soil.
