Following a 145-day hiatus post the previous Scudetto Final (from May 15 to October 7, 2023), the Serie A1 Volleyball Championship is back on the court. Fans can anticipate a thrilling season as 14 formidable teams take center stage with aspirations ranging from clinching the 79th Scudetto, European cups qualifications, to avoiding relegation and aiming for promotion.
The season’s kickoff saw an electrifying face-off between two top-tier teams from the last season at PalaRadi in Cremona. TrasportiPesanti Casalmaggiore went head-to-head with Volley Bergamo 1991. In a heart-pounding series of sets, Bergamo edged out a 5-set victory over Vbc Trasporti Pesanti Casalmaggiore, with a final score at Pala Radi, Cremona reading (20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 14-25, 15-11). Although Casalmaggiore took the lead in the initial set and displayed resilience in the following ones, Bergamo displayed superior mettle in the tiebreaker, ending it at 15-11. Top scorers for Casalmaggiore were Smarzek with 22 and Lohuis with 18 points, while for Bergamo, Llorrayna shined with 29 and Rozansky added 17.
Speaking on the match, Elena Perinelli emphasized the team’s defensive efforts and acknowledged the challenges in the blocking department. Nonetheless, she remains hopeful and upbeat for the forthcoming Cup match, labeling the recent match as evenly contested.
MVP Da Silva Llorrayna of Bergamo expressed her pleasure over their triumph against the tenacious Casalmaggiore. She accentuated the importance of the points secured and the valuable takeaways from the match.
In today’s action, defending champions Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano welcomed newcomers Itas Trentino, emerging victorious in just three sets. Meanwhile, at Allianz Cloud in Milan, the spotlight was on star player Paola Egonu as Allianz Vero Volley Milano overpowered UYBA Volley Busto Arsizio, helmed by Julio Velasco, in a clean 3-0 sweep. Last year’s Serie A2 standout, Roma Volley Club, bested Megabox Ond. Savio Vallefoglia at Pesaro’s revamped PalaMegabox with a close 3-2. Honda Olivero S.Bernardo Cuneo secured a 3-2 victory against Wash4green Pinerolo in a thrilling five-set away match. And in a gripping local rivalry, Savino Del Bene Scandicci subdued Il Bisonte Firenze with a score of 3-0.
Igor Gorgonzola Novara’s strong defense led them to victory over Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 in three sets. Coach Lorenzo Bernardi’s debut was excellent, instilling character in the team. Novara remained composed and dominated the final moments of the second and third sets. However, Coach Bregoli’s team, with summer changes and the absence of Omoruyi, wasn’t at its best. Grobelna scored only 9 points, while Skinner had 14. Russian player Akimova shone in her Novara debut, earning the MVP title with 21 points.
Serie A1 – Round 1
Vbc Trasporti Pesanti Casalmaggiore vs. Volley Bergamo 1991 2-3 (25-20, 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 11-15)
Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano vs. Itas Trentino 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-18)
Savino Del Bene Scandicci vs. Il Bisonte Firenze 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-18)
Allianz Vero Volley Milano vs. Uyba Volley Busto Arsizio 3-0 (25-21, 25-10, 25-12)
Megabox Ond. Savio Vallefoglia vs. Roma Volley Club 2-3 (25-22, 20-25, 19-25, 25-19, 12-15)
Wash4green Pinerolo vs. Honda Olivero S.Bernardo Cuneo 2-3 (17-25, 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 13-15)
Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 vs. Igor Gorgonzola Novara 0- 3 (20-25, 27-29, 25-27)
