Scandicci opens the Italian Women Volleyball League with a tough tie-break loss against Chieri.
Italian powerhouse Scandicci suffered a hard-fought defeat in their opening match of the 2026/2027 Italian Women Volleyball League season. Playing at home on Sunday, the team fell to Chieri in a thrilling five-set battle with partials of 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, and 15-11.
Brazilian outside hitter Julia Bergmann started the match on the bench as head coach Marco Gaspari opted for American player Avery Skinner and Italian athlete Caterina Bosetti in the starting lineup for the opening clash.
Despite the early setback and a strong performance from the visiting side coached by Nicola Negro, Scandicci fought back before ultimately dropping the tie-break, according to information published by WEBVOLEI.
Marco Gaspari keeps starting lineup from Courmayeur Cup
Head coach Marco Gaspari decided to repeat the same starting formation used at the beginning of the Courmayeur Cup. Avery Skinner and Caterina Bosetti took the court on the wings, although neither player managed to immediately stand out on the offensive end during the early stages.
Skinner finished the match with 13 points and a 30% offensive efficiency rate, while Bosetti contributed seven points with a 27% success rate. Canadian opposite Kiera Van Ryk led the offensive efforts for the home side with an impressive total of 25 points, including 21 kills and a 46% efficiency.
Julia Bergmann impresses in reception during debut
As the match progressed from the second to the fifth set, coach Gaspari called upon Brazilian newcomer Julia Bergmann to help stabilize the team reception. The outside hitter delivered a very solid performance, achieving an 87% positivity rate across eight total reception actions.
Although she was rarely targeted for spikes, Bergmann capitalized on her limited offensive opportunities. She scored three total points, which included two kills on five attempts for a 40% efficiency, alongside a powerful ace.
Chieri secures victory behind balanced attack
The visiting squad orchestrated by coach Nicola Negro displayed a much higher level of balance among their wing attackers, which ultimately proved decisive in securing the hard-earned tie-break victory on the road against Scandicci.
Setter Sarah Van Aalen orchestrated the offense masterfully and earned the well-deserved MVP award for her efforts. Hungarian opposite Anett Nemeth led the scoring with 25 points, Italian outside hitter Stella Nervini added 22 points, and American outside hitter Logan Eggleston contributed 18 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Scandicci start the 2026/2027 Italian Volleyball League?
Scandicci started their campaign with a tough five-set tie-break defeat at home against Chieri on Sunday, with partials of 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, and 15-11.
How did Brazilian player Julia Bergmann perform in her debut?
Starting on the bench, Julia Bergmann entered the match in later sets to strengthen reception, achieving an 87% positivity rate and contributing three points, including an ace.
Who were the top performers for Chieri in the match?
Setter Sarah Van Aalen won the MVP award, while Anett Nemeth scored 25 points, Stella Nervini added 22 points, and Logan Eggleston chipped in with 18 points.
