Paola Egonu scored 32 points on Wednesday, November 11, at the Allianz Cloud, leading Numia Vero Volley Milano to a 27-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20 victory over Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia in the eighth round of the Serie A1 women’s volleyball regular season, OA Sport reported.
The victory keeps Milano tied for the league lead at 24 points with Prosecco Doc A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano, maintaining an undefeated record through eight matches. Brescia pushed the hosts through two tight sets before Milano pulled away behind 14 total team blocks and a strong serving performance.
“È stata una partita difficile,” Giulia Gennari told Lega Volley Femminile. “Ci abbiamo messo un po’ a ingranare, ma siamo crescite con il passare dei minuti. Sicuramente ci sono alcuni aspetti da analizzare e su cui lavorare per arrivare al meglio ai prossimi impegni.”
Egonu’s 32-point night marked the highest individual scoring performance in the Serie A1 championship so far this season, according to OA Sport. The opposite hitter carried the Milano offense with 58 total team winning attacks, backed by 13 points from Katherine Lanier and 10 points from Anna Danesi.
Brescia answered with a balanced attack led by Andrea Mihaljevic, who finished with 19 points. Jovana Markovic and Ivana Novosel added 10 and 11 points respectively for the visitors, who fought back from early deficits to claim a competitive second set 25-23.
Milano kayıpsız. 🇮🇹 İtalya Ligi Vero Volley Milano 3 – 1 Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia (27-25) (23-25) (25-18) (25-20) 🔝 Paola Egonu 3️⃣2️⃣ sayı Andrea Mihaljevic 1️⃣9️⃣ sayı pic.twitter.com/qtQD1yLjEY
Milano head coach Chicco Blengini shuffled his lineup for the midweek fixture, handing Gennari her first start at setter in a diagonal pairing with Egonu. Yoshino Sato started alongside Lanier at outside hitter, while Danesi and Federica Sartori anchored the middle with Eleonora Fersino at libero.
After splitting the opening two sets, Milano tightened its defensive organization in the third frame. Gennari contributed four blocks and two points in the distribution, while Sato added a late ace to close out a 25-18 win.
Brescia kept the fourth set close until late, staying within striking distance at 18-17. A powerful attack from Egonu and an ace by Sartori broke open the score before substitute setter Francesca Bosio sealed the match with a monster block for the 25-20 final.
Milano finished with 14 blocks to Brescia’s 8, while capitalizing on 16 opponent service errors. The match lasted two hours and 11 minutes in front of 2,664 spectators in Milan.
Milano travels to face Granda Volley Cuneo on Sunday, November 15, at 18:00 local time, aiming for its ninth victory. Brescia returns home to host San Giovanni on Sunday, November 15, at 17:00.
Conegliano sits alongside Milano at the top of the standings with 24 points following a 3-0 victory over Igor Gorgonzola Novara. Chieri holds third place with 19 points after sweeping Il Bisonte Firenze.
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