Courmayeur Tournament Final PROSECCO DOC IMOCO CONEGLIANO – NUMIA MILANO 3-2(18-25,25-23,23-25,25-17,15-
All.Santarelli Numia Milano: Cazaute 12, Guerra, Orro 5, Danesi 7, Kostantinidou, Fukudome, Kurtagic 9, Sylla 1, Egonu 23, Daalderop 13, Gelin ne, Guidi ne, Marinova ne, Heyrman ne.
All.Lavarini 
In Courmayeur tonight, in the final of the tournament that inaugurates the season, a juicy anticipation of what will happen next Saturday in Rome when the Italian champions of Prosecco DOC Imoco Volley will receive the challenge of Numia Milano with the first trophy of the season, the Italian Supercup, at stake.
Coach Santarelli’s team and newcomer Lavarini’s team faced each other tonight in the mountains of Val d’Aosta with no holds barred, and in the end prevailed 3-2 after an intense match, but marked by many ups and downs on both sides, children of a phase still of preparation and the large turnover of the two coaches who, at the second match in 24 hours, have rightly centered their forces saving some players, such as Haak on court only at the beginning for the Panthers then replaced already in the first set.
The rematch next Saturday in the capital. 
Sextets: Prosecco DOC Imoco confirms yesterday’s starting six with Wolosz-Haak, Gabi-Lanier, Fahr-Chirichella, libero Moki De Gennaro; Milan responds with Orro-Egonu, Cazaute-Daalderop, Danesi-Kurtagic and libero Fukudome. 
In the first set, Milan commanded operations from the start, showing excellent chemistry between Orro and Daalderop (6 points for the Dutchwoman) and taking advantage of a handbrake start by the Panthers.
As Numia continued to stretch (4-8, 11-16) Haak a bit dazed gave way to young Adiwge, but the Milanese did not let up and went on to close comfortably, thanks also to Egonu’s 6 points.
18-25 the first set for Numia Milano.
In the second the gialloblù redemption, captain Wolosz without the Swedish fire mouth relies on the class of the Brazilian Gabi who rises to the top (7 points in the set, 80% in reception), well supported by the defensive precision of Monica De Gennaro and the contribution in attack and wall of Fahr (5 points in the set).
Important flashes were also seen from Lanier (4 points) and Chirichella in a hard-fought partial (although not without smudges) that in the final, after a long head-to-head match, saw Coach Santarelli’s team prevail, able to close 25-23 in half an hour of battle. 
The third partial is the most balanced, as usual in this pre-season for the Panthers on court Khalia Lanier gives way to Polish Lukasik, but despite a good reception Prosecco DOC Imoco struggles in attack, with as many as 7 errors that penalize it in the end in another very balanced partial.
Vero Volley also lives in seesaw, but the great efficiency of Egonu (8 points) and Daalderop (4) are enough to close 23-25 and go back ahead.
Prosecco DOC Imoco, however, doesn’t take it lying down and delays Conegliano’s comeback with a brilliant fourth set where there is Gabi to show the way (6 points), Lukasik stings on the serve, while Asia Wolosz (in flashes well replaced by Seki) with her very balanced and “ecumenical” distribution finds important answers from all her teammates good at attacking profitably (Adiwge 4 points).
The rest is done by De Gennaro who puts order in the defense and, despite Milan tries to the end (Sylla is also inside), the final sprint of the Gialloblù drives back the Lombard threat and coach Santarelli’s team drags the match to the tie break with 25-17 sealed by a spectacular Gabi. In the tie break, approached by the teams at a pace that is not unbearable, there is Lanier returning, but as opposite, as Milan tries to stretch right away (0-2, 3-5).
Seki and Adiwge come in and it’s ball on ball battle to win the first edition of the Courmayeur Trophy.
Orro relies on Egonu and Numia changes court ahead 6-8.
Fahr equalizes at the wall, then Martyna Lukasik imitates her and there is overtaking 9-8, time out by coach Lavarini.
Again the Polish newcomer seals +2, but Cazaute places the 10-10 ace.
The last frantic exchanges see Prosecco DOC Imoco as always trying to the last with the proverbial winning mentality: Chirichella walls for 13-13, De Gennaro “parries” everything and Gabi takes advantage of Moki’s great defenses to seal 14-13.
The last point is by Chirichella, first-period, to complete the final 4-0 break.
Conegliano leaves nothing and the Prosecco DOC is flowing in Courmayeur as well! 
Now some rest for the Panthers after the two-day event in Valle d’Aosta, and then they will resume their preparation during the week ahead of Saturday’s Super Cup again against Sylla and her teammates and the next league start on October 6 at Palaverde with Uyba. POST-GAME INTERVIEWS ON IMOCO VOLLEY’S FACEBOOK PAGE (Photo Rubin – LVF)
21/09/2024