At the Palamaiata in Vibo Valentia in the BigMat National Youth Under 18 Women’s Finals for the fifth consecutive year is the Cortina Express Imoco Volley to write its name in the roll of honour! Coach Stefano Gregoris’ Panterine won on Sunday in the final on the strong Moma Anderlini (3-0:25-19, 25-22, 25-19) thus going to confirm themselves as champions of Italy!
A great satisfaction for the club of presidents Garbellotto and Maschio who have always believed in the youth sector, managed with skill and experience by the manager Silvia Giovanardi. A more than perfect path was taken in Calabria by Stefano Gregoris’ girls, who will also work for the Azzurri this summer.
THE ROSTER OF THE “PANTHERINE” 2024/25 ITALIAN CHAMPIONS!
Cortina Express Imoco Volley: Elena Arici, Alice Pugiotto, Anna Bacchin, Ludovica Tosini, Alessia Manda, Veronica Quero, Gaia Novello, Alessia Forte, Gaia Genovese, Giorgia Orso, Maddalena Fiolo, Elisa Corbanese, Sofia Moroni, Raisa Enescu. Coach: Stefano Gregoris.
In Vibo on an unforgettable weekend, Cortina Express Imoco Volley won Group F without hesitation, breaking the ice thanks to the 3-0 successes obtained respectively against Life 365.eu Volley Forlì and Spazio Conad Busnago. The next step is the quarterfinals, a watershed for the medals, a tough opponent and the match ended 3-1 (25-10, 25-21, 22-25, 25-16) after a battle with TorSapienza Volley Friends. In the semifinals Arici and her teammates made a big voice by liquidating 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-15) the Torneria Colombo Vero Volley and taking the pass to defend their title in the final. The road was marked, but the last opponent was a never tame Moma Anderlini Modena, defeated after a match that gave the Venetian team a new and important Scudetto, another banner to add to the already rich trophy cabinet.
CORTINA EXPRESS IMOCO VOLLEY-MOMA ANDERLINI 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-19)
REPORT (taken from Federvolley website) – To start the match better was the Moma Anderlini; two attacks by Caruso and two aces respectively by Susio and Guerra and the Emilian team took a 1-4 lead. Advantage that Spaziano and her teammates managed well until 2-7, when Imoco came back down (7-9). Fogging phase of the Moma Anderlini; two invasions and the Venetian team is in fact back on par at 10, before passing over thanks to Tosini’s attack and Quero’s block on Caruso, finding an important break at 15-11. Moma Anderlini rises; Quero’s net service, Tosini’s attack blocked by Caruso, emulated by her teammate Monari Gamba for 16-16. Anderlini who subsequently suffered the rhythm of the Venetians; Sofia Moroni’s point, Moroni-Enescu’s two-man block, Lisa Monari Gamba’s attack out, Manda’s ace and in the final Imoco took a 20-16 lead. Strengthened by the advantage acquired, Arici and her teammates put the first set in the bag; final cue by Gaia Novello and attack by Enescu for 25-19 that sends Imoco ahead. Unlike the first set, the beginning of the second half of the game was more balanced, it is Moma Anderlini who finds the first extension (7-9, 8-11). Imoco is back below; Novello incisive on serve, Tosini’s block for the Venetian overtaking at 12-11. Anderlini’s reaction is determined; Spaziano and her teammates have regrouped and make the pantherine suffer, under the blows of Guerra and Sismondi they take the maximum advantage in the set at 14-19. Decisive moment is the character of Cortina Express Imoco Volley, driven by the warnings of coach Gregoris, allows the Venetian to come back immediately, putting an escalative point on the match; Tosini’s point, two consecutive attacks by Novello, Tosini’s ace again and Moroni’s block for 19-19. The match lights up, the Cortina Express Imoco does not stop and puts the arrow in turn: Enescu confirms himself brilliant and signs the overtaking ball (21-20), then attack out of the Moma Anderlini for 22-20 Imoco. Two peremptory blocks by Quero and an ace by Gaia Novello close the partial on 25-22 after a great final rush.
The beginning of the third half of the game is not easy for Moma Anderlini; the Emilian team suffers from the pace of play of Cortina Express Imoco Volley who in the wake of the previous final immediately run away decisively. At the beginning of the third set, coach Stefano Gregoris’ girls went from 5-1 to 12-5. Difficult moment for Anderlini. The yellow-blue panthers, really determined to get the tricolor, continue to push and do not stop, demonstrating solidity (16-9); two winning serves by Susio shorten the distance and bring Anderlini back to -3 at 17-14, but coach Gregoris preaches calm. Two attacks by Caruso find the yellow-blue wall ready, Novello first and then from Quero increase the advantage by repelling the threat (20-14). Stella Caruso is the last to surrender at Moma Anderlini (21-17). In the final, however, everything was easy for the Cortina Express Imoco; The Veneto team takes advantage of the five match points available at the first opportunity and closes the match on 25-19. Cortina Express Imoco Volley is Italian Champion!
These are the words of the Italian Champion, Stefano Gregoris: “I am very happy. The girls left for these National Youth Finals with a clear goal and they pursued it, perhaps with some ups and downs, but since yesterday we have really started to play strong. We won this Scudetto Final against a very strong and well-prepared opponent; I told coach Maioli, a friend of mine, I really congratulate them for the extraordinary work they have done. My Cortina Express Imoco Volley was good, but many congratulations also to Anderlini. That is our secret? The corporate structure where Imoco and Volley Pool Piave collaborate and where managers work who deal only with this, together, of course, with managers who work hidden and who are not seen. We are also accompanied by a great technical structure. We are working well, we have a great recruitment sector and we are moving forward in the right direction. Today we have reaped the fruits of a great general work that has been going on for years. In the meantime, I would like to dedicate this Italian title to all the staff who worked with me… but above all my thoughts at this moment also go to Simonetta Avalle, she who was always present at the National Youth Finals. My thoughts certainly went to her today ”.
These are the words of Alessia Manda, MVP of the Tournament: “I am really proud of this victory. We gave everything we had and we are happy and excited to have achieved our goal, it was a sort of feat. It was not easy at all but I can say that we deserved it all. I thank my teammates and all the staff with all my heart ”.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Middle: Veronica Quero (Cortina Express Imoco Volley)
Best Spiker: Raisa Enescu (Cortina Express Imoco Volley)
Best Libero: Stella Cornelli (Moma Anderlini)
Best Setter: Asia Spazino (Moma Anderlini)
MVP: Alessia Manda (Cortina Express Imoco Volley)
(Photo FIPAV)