Imoco, Vero Volley and BKS conclude CLVolleyW opening leg with victories

On Thursday night, the opening leg of the CEV Champions League Volley 2025 - Women was concluded with three fixtures, featuring some of European powerhouses, including the reigning champions A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano and the runners-up from the previous edition Numia Vero Volley Milano - both recorded a straight-set wins, beating Mladost Zagreb and FC Porto, respectively, who reached this stage of competing after successful campaigns in Round 3. Also BKS Bostik ZGO Bielsko-Biała, the Poland's club that returned to Europe's elite after more than a decade, earned an opening win, upsetting 3-1 Allianz MTV Stuttgart.

BKS Bostik ZGO BIELSKO-BIAŁA (POL) vs Allianz MTV STUTTGART (GER) 3:1 (22:25, 25:19, 25:23, 25:20)

The 2024 Polish Cup winners, BKS Bostik ZGO BIELSKO-BIAŁA return to the CLVolleyW stage after almost 14-year-absence. In their opening game they faced the fifth team of the previous season and CLVolleyW regulars - Allianz MTV STUTTGART. The German side enjoyed a flying start to the game, taking an early 7-3 lead with Krystal Rivers, hammering points in impressive style (9 points in the first set). Stuttgart fully controlled the game up until 20-15, then with Julita Piasecka on the service line the hosts erased the gap (20-21), giving the local fans hope to turn this set around, however Maria Segura responded with similar streak, taking her team back to 24-20 lead. Even if BKS managed to deny two set points, an unsuccessful attempt in attack from Martyna Borowczak closed the set 25-22 in favour of Stuttgart.

BKS learnt their lesson from the first part. The hosts improved their game and kept the pace with Stuttgart, producing a point-by-point race at the beginning of the second set. However, the breakpoint came, when Kertu Laak served an ace, taking BKS to a 15-12 lead quickly. The host caught wind in their sails, keeping the score safe (19-15), they won the set 25-19. The team from Bielsko-Biała kept the momentum, taking a 6-3 lead in the next set. Kertu Laak and Julita Piasecka were BKS's main powerguns, helping the team to remain on the lead. And although Stutggart managed to tie at 7-7 and then almost made it again at 21-20, the hosts withstand the pressure, prevailing also in this set (25-22).

The players from Allianz MTV Stuttgart were determined to extend the game and with a solid performance from Jolien Knollema on the service line they took a 12-7 lead. It didn't discourage the host, with Julia Nowicka on playmaking duty, who smartly distributed the ball to her colleagues, BKS tied at 14-14 and the game started anew. A tight race continued up until 18-18, then BKS shifted up and an ace serve from Joanna Pacak sealed the victory at 25-20. 

MVP award was presented to Julita Piasecka, who contributed with 19 points (18 killing attacks - 49% success, 1 ace). Her teammate Kertu Laak tallied 16 to her name (5 blocks, 1 ace, 10 attacks). Match-high 26 points was scored by Krystal Rivers (1 ace, 5 blocks, 20 attacks).

A. Carraro Imoco CONEGLIANO (ITA) vs Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) 3:0 (26:24, 25:10, 25:15)

CLVolleyW reigning champions A. Carraro Imoco CONEGLIANO faced Mladost ZAGREB in their first game of the new season. The Croatian team after a successful campaign in Round 3 made a historic comeback to the main phase of Europe's elite competition after 18 seasons. Although the game had obvious and clear favourites, Mladost entered the court fearlessly, challenging the Italian powerhouse, especially that coach Santarelli decided to keep his biggest stars on the bench. After a point-by-point race until 10-9, Imoco started to build their advantage, winning six consecutive points with Khalia Lanier on serve. Many would expect the team around coach Daniele Santarelli to quickly finish the set after leading 18-14, but unexpectedly Mladost managed to tie at 18-18 with a great service run from Leonarda Grabic. After fierce rallies, they even had the set point at 24-23, but Imoco didn't allow any more surprises. Powerful spike from Merit Adigwe, and another ace from Lanier put the reigning champions on the lead, once Katja Eckl's block closed the set 26-24.

The troubles in the opening set were a cold shower for Imoco, who returned to the court fully focused, quickly taking a 9-2 lead. This part was a true showcase of Imoco's power, as they completely outclassed their rivals, recording 75% success in attack and winning it by a huge margin 25-10. Merit Adigwe and Katja Eckl stayed on the lead in the top scorers' board. However, it didn't cut Mladost down. They were still eager to fight in the third set. Although from the beginning it was the Italian powerhouse on the lead (5-2, 8-6), they tried to keep up. A service run from Marina Lubian and powerful spikes from Adigwe moved the score from 12-10 to 17-10. Reaching a maximum nine-point-advantage (20-11) Imoco firmly aimed for their three-set victory. The last point was scored by Adigwe, who tallied a match-high 24 points (19 killing spikes - 53% success, 1 block, 4 aces) and was named the MVP. She was followed by Martyna Łukasik, who had 13 points to her name, including 3 block stuffs. Leonarda Grabić was Mladost's top scorer with 10 points.

Numia Vero Volley MILANO (ITA) - FC PORTO (POR) 3:0 (25:15, 27:25, 25:17)

2024 CLVolleyW runners-up Numia Vero Volley Milano also recorded a straight-set win, beating FC Porto. The Italian team enjoyed a strong start to the game, winning the opener 25-15. Nika Daalderop was in class of her own, hammering 7 points and recording 88% success in attack. However, FC Porto also showed their teeth, setting the bar a way higher in the second set. Puck Hoogers (9 points in the second part) and Victoria Pinto spared no effort to challenge the Italian rivals, but it was not enough against Nika Daalderop (next 7 points and as high as in the previous set success in attack) and her teammates, who despite temporary problems aimed for a straight-set win. The third - and the last set - was fully controlled by Milano. Daalderop with 17 points to her name (all scored in attacks with excellent 85% success) was named the MVP. Alessia Orro, Milano's setter, also had a brilliant performance, as she delivered 10 points - 5 aces, 4 blocks and 1 attack. Victoria Pinto was Porto's best scorer with 13 points.