A1 women, playoffs, quarterfinals, game 2: Conegliano, Milan and Novara in the semifinals

Conegliano, Milan and Novara closed the quarter-final series 2-0 with away victories and reached the semi-final. No problem for the Panthers and the Lombards, while Bernardi’s team cameback in the tiebreak. All went smoothly for Conegliano who closed game 2 in three sets against Busto away at the E-Work arena. Haak is still the protagonist (MVP and top scorer of the match with 17 points with 63% in attack), followed by Zhu Ting (13) and Chirichella (11 of which 5 blocks). For the butterflies only Gennari scores double figures (10) and there are 16 errors against the 12 of the panthers. Imoco, superior in all fundamentals, sails full steam ahead into the semi-final against Novara.

egonu crushes valleyleaf

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Milan replicates the 3-0 success of game 1 against Vallefoglia also at the Vitrifrigo Arena in Pesaro. Numia is once again devastating in blocking (13 blocks, Danesi with 5 is also MVP), and limits the home team to four (starters Giovannini and Ungureanu both attack with negative efficiency). In the first set the locals (making up for a shocking start, 2-9) also managed to worry the guests, but stopped at the end. The Lombard team found fluidity in attack, led by the usual Egonu (24), and dominated the final part of the match and, through inertia, the second set. Pistola redesigns the team, with Lazaro directing for Bartolucci; an excellent Candi and an effective Bici (11 and 13 points respectively) lead the tigers up to 20-17, but Egonu (4 points in the final break) blocks the way to Vallefoglia’s hopes. Milan awaits the next challenger from Bergamo-Scandicci, and can think about the Champions League quarter-final against Vakifbank (first leg in Milan on Tuesday), while Megabox prepares for the Challenge final against Panathinaikos (first leg at home next Wednesday).

Novara in the tie-break

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In the Piedmontese match between Chieri and Novara, a tie-break is needed to decide the winner. Chieri gives it his all and, down 8-4 in the fifth, manages to get to 10-10 and overcome the mosquitoes, thanks to a home run from Tolok. The away team draws and gets back on top, but the hillside team doesn’t give up and the advantages are needed to decree the victory (16-18) for Igor, who will meet Imoco in the semi-final.

Results of match 2 quarter finals

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Today’s results

• Eurotek Laica Uyba-Prosecco Doc A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano 0-3 (16-25, 17-25, 15-25)
• Megabox Ondulati Del Savio Vallefoglia-Numia Vero Volley Milan 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 22-25)
• Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76-Igor Gorgonzola Novara 2-3 (20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 16-1

Tomorrow 8.00 pm: Bergamo-Savino del Bene Scandicci (possible race 3 on Saturday 7th or Sunday 8th)

Semifinals (best of 5 games, game 1 on Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th) Prosecco Doc A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano-Igor Gorgonzola Novara Numia; True Volley Milan-winning Bergam-Scandicci