Imoco Volley Conegliano dominates standings with undefeated record

Imoco Volley Conegliano holds 23 points in the Lega Femminile Serie A1 Tigota after winning eight matches. The defending champions maintain a four point lead over Savino Del Bene Scandicci and a seven point gap over third-placed Numia Vero Volley Milano. This lead grew after Conegliano defeated Milano 3-1 in a postponed fourth leg match at the Palaverde with scores of 25-17, 23-25, 25-23, and 25-21. Over 5,000 fans watched the match, where Milano missed an opportunity to earn a single point in the standings. This victory also provided payback for the Panthers, who defeated Conegliano in the Supercoppa Italiana just over two weeks ago and failed to win the tournament for the first time since 2017-2018. The league determines the hierarchy using the following points distribution:

If teams possess the same number of won matches, the league uses ranking points, then set quotient, and then points quotient to decide standings. You can see that these rules allow the undefeated leaders to build a significant cushion before the regular season reaches the halfway mark.

Egonu scoring spikes and national team rest

Paola Egonu scored 25 points for Milano during the recent loss to Conegliano, including 23 kills and two blocks. The 24-year-old Nigerian-Italian player from Cittadella also delivered 27 points for the Italian national team in a 3-1 win over Sweden. The Italian national team finished in fourth place at the European championships behind champions Turkey, Serbia, and the Netherlands, which prompted Egonu to seek rest ahead of the pre-Olympic tournament to avoid further physical exhaustion. While she reaffirmed her attachment to the Azzurri jersey, she agreed with coach Davide Mazzatti and president Manfredi to skip upcoming matches. Isabelle Haak led the offensive production for Conegliano with 26 points from 22 kills, three aces, and one block. Gabi Guimaraes added 19 points, consisting of 16 kills, two aces, and one block, while American outside hitter Khalia Lanier scored 18 points for Milano. Monica De Gennaro earned the match MVP award for her performance in the win. During the Swedish match, Egonu tied the score at 21-23, before Antropova added 22 points and Myriam Sylla contributed 14 to secure the victory. The match ended on a Sylla attack after Orro provided the defense and Egonu provided the attack. Sweden’s Isabelle Haak scored 43 points in that encounter.

Records and upcoming league fixtures

Imoco Volley Conegliano holds a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive wins for a women’s team, currently totaling 74 matches. The team recently defeated Zanetti 3-0 in Bergamo with set scores of 25-14, 25-19, and 25-17. During that match, Egonu produced 19 points and the team outblocked the opponents 13 to 1. The team aims to extend its record to 10-1 and continues its campaign with a schedule that includes a Super Cup match against Scandicci on October 24.

Novara currently sits 11 points behind the leaders after a 3-2 win over Il Bisonte, where Caterina Bosetti scored 23 points. The Novara team trailed at the start of the tie-break and reached match point with four to spare at 14-10 before allowing the opposition to close in at 14-13. Saugella Monza also remains a factor with 16 points and a 6-3 record after a 3-2 win over Cremona. In that match, Laura Partenio scored 23 points and Rosamaria Montibeller tallied 21 points, while Lise Van Hecke added 20 points. Edina Begic and Floortje Meijners added 16 points each. Will the current leaders maintain their momentum through the upcoming fifth round?