Egonu tries to charge the team towards the end to recover, but it’s not enough. The panthers win 3-1, Vero Volley still third, but Novara and Chieri are closer
CONEGLIANO-MILANO 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21)
The championship still says Conegliano. The reigning champion Panthers consolidated their lead in the standings by overcoming Milan in the second half of the fourth day of the regular season. The yellow-blues, still without Zhu Ting, busy in China for the national games in Macau, regain the brilliance of their best days, redeeming, at least in part, the disappointment of the defeat in the Super Cup. Numia Vero Volley remains in third place, but is now threatened by Novara and Chieri.
the match
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The first set sees Milan take the lead 9-13, despite some errors on serve. The hosts’ game is not very fluid and imprecise in the blocking phase. Daalderop’s serve on Pietrini opens the break for Conegliano who first equalizes at 13 and then extends 19-14. Egonu misses four attacks which make life easier for the yellow and blues. He makes a lot of mistakes in the second set, the score remains balanced until 13-13. Then Egonu finds better percentages, those of Haak and Gabi drop a little (15-20). Conegliano cancels a set point, but is too fouled in the final. The panthers take back the reins of the game after the change of field and reach the maximum advantage of 14-11, also regaining the points of the central teams. Milan relies on Egonu (11 points in the set), but it’s not enough. Sillah scores the two decisive points at the end. The Slovenian remains the protagonist also in the fourth set, where Milan remains permanently tied in the score, also thanks to Piva, who in the meantime took over from Pietrini. Egonu tries again in the final, but it is Conegliano who celebrates the unbeaten championship.
return match
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The two teams meet on the afternoon of Boxing Day at the Assago Forum for the return match, the ninth and final direct clash of 2025. On Sunday for the eighth matchday, Conegliano will host Vallefoglia, Milan will be away to Cuneo.
Conegliano: top scorer Haak 26, blocks 9, aces 7.
Milan: top scorer Egonu 25, blocks, aces 5.
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