Bernardi’s team (3-1 against San Giovanni) is the only one to avoid the epilogue to the decisive set. Vero Volley passes to Bergamo with 24 points from Egonu
BERGAMO-MILAN 2-3 (15-25, 25-23, 26-24, 21-25, 12-15)
Milan wins at the Choruslife Arena, but what an effort! Bergamo, after a colorless first set, transforms and sells dearly to Lavarini’s girls who only advance to the tie-break. Grit and mental strength for the hosts who, in the second set, canceled out four set points at Vero Volley, then closing the set at 26-24. In the third, Parisi’s girls are still ahead, with Kipp (34 points) the absolute protagonist, also given the absence of Cese Montalvo. Milan recovers thanks to its attackers Egonu (24 points), Piva (14) and Pietrini (10), as well as Danesi (13 with 6 blocks), managing to close in the fifth set. Fersino did very well in the defensive and receiving phases (MVP with 57% receiving). Vero Volley, with these two points, ranks fifth with 31 points, while Bergamo remains eighth with 16 points.
Bergamo: Kipp 34 points, team blocks 5, team aces 2
Milan: Egonu 24 points, team blocks 15 (6 Danes), team aces 3.
NOVARA-SAN GIOVANNI IN MARIGNANO 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-19)
Novara opens the second leg with a success, the sixth consecutive in the championship. Against San Giovanni it ends 3-1, but for long stretches it is a real match, over 25 points apart between the two contenders. Thanks to the Romagna players who surprised the locals at the start, due to too many fouls. Bernardi calls Cambi back onto the court (initially at rest) and Igor changes pace, dominating the second and third sets and escaping 13-5 in the fourth. It seems done, but the Chinese Zhuang favors the comeback of San Giovanni which however stops just one step away (13-12). Novara led by Tolok MVP runs away again and closes taking the 3 points. For the guests, a match that still gives confidence for the return leg.
Novara: Tolok 26 points, Muri team 13 (Squarcini 4), Ace team 9 (Tolok 3).
St. John: Zhuang 21 points, Muri team 11, Ace team 6.
VALLEFOGLIA-PERUGIA 3-2 (25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 22-25, 15-11)
Thrilling victory for Vallefoglia, who beat Perugia in the tiebreak. However, the 2-0 lead wasn’t enough for Pistola’s girls with two sets they dominated, destroying their opponents’ reception. The change in direction (Turlà for Ricci) turns on Gardini and Perinelli, and the Black Angels begin to defend strongly, reopening the match. In the tiebreak the Megabox regains its effectiveness in serving and Carletti is surgical in the final, with Bici MVP and Butigan excellent on the block. However, Perugia still has one point left which allows them to move up the rankings (after 4 matches) and catch up with Monviso.
Vallefoglia: Bike 19 points, Muri team 15 (Butigan 7), Ace team 5.
Perugia: Gardini 21 points, Muri team 5, Ace team 3.
CUNEO-MACERATA 3-2 (17-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 15-11)
Great comeback for Cuneo, who went down 0-2 in a photocopy of the first leg and then beat Macerata in the tiebreak. Diop at the start was not enough to hide the problems in reception, and with Kokkonen and Decortes on the shields the Marche team moved forward without apparent problems. In the third set the guests attack with zero efficiency, putting their opponents back on track who don’t have to do it twice. Salvagni’s girls work well on the block, they once again have an excellent contribution from the arrivals of Allaoui in the direction of play and Koulisiani in the centre, and with a devastating Diop, deservedly MVP, they complete the comeback, returning to winning ways after 7 matches.
Wedge: Diop 28 points, Muri team 11 (Koulisiani 4), Ace team 6 (Diop 3).
Macerata: Kokkonen 21 points, Muri team 6, Ace team 4.
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