Conegliano won the Champions League 2024 women’s volleyball, defeating Milan 3-2 (25-14; 23-25; 25-19; 19-25; 15-9) in the final staged in Antalya. Imoco won the highly anticipated Italian derby played in Türkiye and thus won the top European trophy for the second time in their history after the 2021 seal against VakifBank Istanbul.
Coach Daniele Santarelli’s girls completed the perfect season: Champions League, Scudetto, Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup, closing the season with only two defeats (against Novara in the playoff semi-final and Scandicci in the Italian final). The Panthers defeated the Milanese team in the tie-break, who were in the first final act of their history and who failed to break the bank. The trophy returns to Italy three years later, after the double seal of the Turkish team VakifBank Istanbul.
Evidence of thickness by the opposite Isabelle Haak (23 points, 42% in attack) and the spiker Kathryn Plymmer (21 points, 2 blocks, 43% in the offensive phase), a dynamite result in attack. The other hammer was also in double figures Kelsey Robinson (10, 2 walls) under the direction of Joanna Wolosz, the power plants are also good Sarah Fahr (9) e Robin de Kruijf (6), the free Monica De Gennaro he finished with 68% receiving.
Subdued performance from the opposite Paola Egonu, which failed to shine as expected. The striker from Milan, historically a specialist in Champions League finals (she won with Novara, Conegliano and VakifBank Istanbul), scored 19 points with 27%. Hammers in double figures Myriam Sylla (13) e Helena Cazaute (10) under the guidance of Alessia Orro7 points each for the power plants Raphaela Folie and Dana Rettke.
MATCH REPORT
Orro commits a couple of fouls at the start of the first set, then Plummer hits the block to make it 4-0. Back and forth between Egonu and Haak (6-3 and 9-7). Haak goes wild with a pipe and winner, then de Kruijf’s ace makes it 14-8. Hand-out and lob by Plummer (18-10), Haak responds to Egonu and Cazaute (19-13). Imoco controls the situation, with an ace from Lubian and a block from Robinson.
Balanced start to the second half (7-7), then Plummer and Haak attack out and Egonu’s diagonal is worth +4 (11-7). The opposite insists with a hand-out and Rettke blocks for 14-9. Substitute Malual scores two aces (17-9) and Milano runs away, but Conegliano manages to come back with flashes from Lanier and Robinson (17-14). Rettke’s first half is surgical (19-15), Haak attacks outside and Sylla finds the diagonal to make it 21-17. The spiker insists with a diagonal and then Egonu’s block arrives for 23-18. The Panthers recover again with Haak and Lubian (24-20), then Egonu does everything: three attacks out and at 24-23 he finds the decisive diagonal.
Sylla is imprecise in attack and Plummer responds with two consecutive hits at the start of the third quarter (6-2). Egonu and Sylla make too many mistakes in attack (12-7), then Robinson’s diagonal and Haak’s pipe confirm Conegliano’s advantage (14-9). Haak scores two great points of substance interspersed with Fahr’s first half and makes a foul on Orro’s dribble (19-11). The Panthers just have to manage the situation and close with Haak.
Fourth set balanced until 7-7, then Conegliano makes a mistake on serve and Sylla and Egonu hit the serve (10-8). Plummer grabs the equalizer, then Folie blocks and Haak makes a mistake from the second line (12-10). Cazaute dictates the law in the offensive phase (14-12), then errors follow one after the other (18-16). Imoco gets closer with Haak and Wolosz (18-19), but Milan gets back up promptly: first half by Folie, error by Haak, ace by Malual, offensive error by Plummer and winner by Bajema for 24-18. An error by Robinson sends the match to a tie-break.
Conegliano wins the break in the decisive portion with a first half from Fahr and an ace from Wolosz (3-1), but Egonu and Cazaute hold their own before Sylla equalizes at 5. Robinson’s parallel equalizes the score 7-6, then two hands out from Plummer (9-6). Egonu is blocked (10-6), then Plummer again and Fahr’s diagonal (12-7). The Panthers control with Fahr and Plummer and win the Champions League.
