Developres and Vero Volley complete the CLVolleyW quarterfinals line-up

Developres Rzeszów and Numia Vero Volley Milano completed the CLvolleyW quarterfinals line-up. Both teams won in convincing fashion their double-headers against German sides Allianz MTV Stuttgart and SSC Palmberg Schwerin and Thursday night booked the last two spots in the quarterfinals of the CEV Champions League Volley 2025 - Women.

Developres Rzeszów vs Allianz MTV Stuttgart 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-22)

After winning 3-1 in the first encounter of this doubleheader, DevelopRes Rzeszów needed only two sets to stamp their ticket to the CLVolleyW quarterfinals. The team from Rzeszów, who on Sunday claimed the Polish Cup title, enjoyed the flying start of Thursday's game, taking a 6-2 lead. Weronika Centka (6 kills in the opener), Monika Fedusio, and Bruna Honorio were on fire, hammering the points and improving Developres' lead to 16-9. In the decisive stage of the set, they led 21-15, but with Antonia Stautz on serve, Stuttgart reduced the gap to 23-19. Krystal Rivers, after a slower start, began to show her potential as well; however, it was too late to stop Rzeszów, who closed the opener 25-20.

The second set had far more competitive beginning. Up until 8-8 it was a point-by-point race, but then powerful serves from Marrit Jasper and killing blocks from Monika Fedusio made the difference, and Developres jumped to 12-8. With great team effort, the hosts kept the score safe, showing consistency and flawlessness. They immediately used the first set ball to seal a set win 25-18 and book their spot in the last eight. 

After securing their goal, Developres struggled at the beginning of the third set, and Stuttgart took this opportunity, leading 7-5 after great kills from Krystal Rivers. However, step by step, Developres made it up (11-11), and after a close race, they prevailed to close the game in straight sets after Bruna Honorio's attack.

Monika Fedusio and Bruna Honorio shared the top scorers' honours, however it was Brazilian opposite to receive the MVP award, as she recorded 14 kills at 44% success in attack and 1 block. On Stuttgart's side Krystal Rivers scored 14 points.

Numia Vero Volley Milano vs SSC Palmberg Szwerin 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 26-24)

Also Numia Vero Volley Milano, who triumphed in the first encounter against SSC Palmberg Schwerin, had to win only two sets to qualify for the quarterfinals. However, the game itself looked completely different since Schwerin set the bar high for the star-studded Milano. The opening set was a tight race up until 16-16. Lamprini Konstantinidou, who came in as a substitute on serve, with her powerful serves, helped Milano to run with the score to 19-16, giving a signal to her team to speed up. Alessia Orro led a well-balanced game. Myriam Sylla and Nika Daalderop were top scorers, but it was block from Laura Heyrman to end this set 25-18.

It didn't discourage Schwerin, who stayed determined to extend their chances in this do-or-die duel. Impressive service run from Hannah Kohn moved SSC to a 13-9 lead, but Milano made it up quickly. Anna Smrek and Elena Pietrini took the reins in attack and moved Vero Volley to 19-16. Having their back against the wall, Schwerin, powered by Leana Grozer and Elles Dambrink, managed to reduce the gap once again to 21-20, but then again Kontantinidou had a great serve run. Alessia Orro gave the final touch, scoring with a tip the last point in the second set, 25-21, that guaranteed them a spot in the quarterfinals.

Even if SSC Palmberg Schwerin had no longer a chance to progress to the quarterfinals, they kept fighting. They took a 21-16 lead, but Konstantinidou again delivered a show from the service line, helping her team to tie at 21-21. The game continued on a point-by-point basis; Schwerin managed to deny one match point, but eventually in extra time Milano prevailed with Hena Kurtagic's killing block.

Helena Cazaute, who entered the court during the second set, scored a match-high 12 points. However it was Anna Smrek who contributed 10 points (2 blocks, 8 kills) to receive the MVP award. Pimpichaya Kokram was Schwerin's top scorer with 10 kills to her name.

The CLVolleyW quarterfinals will start in two weeks. Vero Volley Milano reached this stage of Europe's elite club competition for the fourth time, once Developres Rzeszów finished among the last eight for the third time. The Final Four of this year’s CEV Champions League Volley is scheduled for May 3-4, 2025 in Istanbul.