Another success for Igor Volley, which overcomes Perugia 3-0 within the friendly walls of the Pala Igor at the end of a more hard-fought match than the “score” would say. Without Washington and Bosetti, it is Daalderop who drags the Azzurre (MVP of the match for her), with the decisive entry of Battistoni and Zanette in the third set to favor a comeback from 6-13 to 21-19.

Igor on the field with Smarzek opposite Hancock, Bonifacio and Chirichella central, Herbots and Daalderop spikers and Sansonna free; Perugia with Di Iulio in the direction and Ortolani diagonally, Koolhaas and Aelbrecht in the center, Havelkova and Carcaces in the band and Cecchetto free.

After a head-to-head start, with Perugia ahead in inertia (6-7), the Azzurre overtake with Herbots who concretizes a great defense by Hancock and with the soft touch of Daalderop who forces the guests to timeout at 12-9; Smarzek tries to escape (15-10), Perugia returns 16-14 and remains in the wake of the Azzurre until 19-17. Two points in a row by Daalderop are worth the extension (22-17) and a mistake by Carcaces closes the partial on 25-19.

Novara starts strong again with two blocks by Smarzek (3-0) but Carcaces returns to maniout 4-3 before the new break propitiated by Herbots which is worth 9-5 and forces Mazzanti to timeout; Carcaces scores again (11-10), the tape turns Aelbrecht’s serve into an ace (11-11) and after Lavarini’s “stop” a point is triggered broken in a first half by Daalderop’s ace (15-13) to which the guests reply, however, who go 15-17 with Havelkova scoring diagonally. The maximum guest advantage comes at 16-19, then Hancock finds two aces and a string that overturns the result (22-19) and could mortgage the partial. On the set ball, however, (24-22), Novara suffers the return of Perugia (24-24) and the Umbrians also cancel a third set point, before Daalderop’s diagonal that closes an endless exchange and Koolhaas’ invasion that is worth 27-25.

Perugia raises the level in defense and Novara goes into difficulty, with the Umbrians escaping 5-10 with Ortolani and Lavarini who proposes the double change, inserting Zanette and Battistoni as the main diagonal. Perugia reaches the maximum advantage at 6-13, on Havelkova’s serving turn, but on the rotation with Battistoni serving the Azzurre find a sensational counter-break, escaping 18-16 with Zanette and Chirichella protagonists. Perugia does not give up and despite Sansonna’s defenses returns to parity at 21, Bosetti enters and makes an ace (23-21) and Bonifacio’s block is worth the match ball for the Azzurre. Koolhaas’ invasion at the net closes the game: 25-22.

Britt Herbots (spiker Igor Gorgonzola Novara): “For us it is an important victory, we expected to suffer against a team that was back from very positive performances against top teams and so it was. That’s why we are happy with the success and to have closed in three sets, coming out of a difficult situation well during the third set without then conceding anything else to the opponents “.

Stefano Lavarini (coach Igor Gorgonzola Novara): “I said that everyone’s contribution would be necessary and that’s what happened, Perugia is a very skilled team in defense and we had to force our characteristics a bit, finding more patience and ability to manage the exchanges. I also think it is very positive to have come out well from the difficult moment of the third set, it is an absolutely good sign, although we are all aware that we have to mature further”.

Igor Gorgonzola Novara – Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia 3-0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-22)
Igor Gorgonzola Novara: Populini, Herbots 11, Napodano (L) ne, Zanette 3, Battistoni, Bosetti 1, Chirichella 7, Sansonna (L), Hancock 4, Bonifacio 4, Tajè ne, Washington ne, Smarzek 5, Daalderop 14. Coach: Lavarini.
Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia: Casillo ne, Carcaces 12, Agrifoglio, Scarabottini ne, Cecchetto (L), Di Iulio, Rumori (L) ne, Mlinar 1, Koolhaas 4, Ortolani 9, Angeloni 1, Havelkova 5, Aelbrecht 10. Coach: Mazzanti.
MVP Nika Daalderop