A winning start to 2026 for Zeren, Conegliano, Maritza and Eczacibasi in #CLVolleyW

After the holiday break, the CEV Champions League Volley Women returned with a full night of action, offering a mix of commanding performances and high-level battles across Europe. ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü continued their impressive debut campaign, A. Carraro Prosecco DOC CONEGLIANO reaffirmed their dominance, Maritza PLOVDIV claimed a crucial first victory, while Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL and Numia Vero Volley MILANO delivered a gripping five-set encounter.

Pool C: Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL (TUR) vs. Numia Vero Volley MILANO (ITA) 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13)

In a clash between two Italian coaches, Giulio Cesare Bregoli emerged victorious as his Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul edged past Numia Vero Volley Milano, coached by Stefano Lavarini, in a five-set thriller decided literally on the final ball. Eczacibasi bounced back from their Round 2 defeat in Greece, while Milano suffered their first loss after two straight-set victories in Pool C of the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 Women.

The opening set saw a balanced contest, with both teams trading points early on. Eczacibasi claimed the first break when Dana Rettke blocked Paola Egonu for a 5–4 lead. Following an error by Khalia Imani Lanier and a block by Sinead Jack-Kisal on Hena Kurtagić, the hosts moved ahead 8–5. Stronger play at the net allowed Eczacibasi to keep their advantage until Numia Vero Volley Milano levelled at 15–15. After 17–17, the Turkish side pulled away again, going up 20–17 after a powerful spike by Ebrar Karakurt, prompting Stefano Lavarini to call his second timeout.

At 22–19, Karakurt collided with libero Simge Aköz while chasing a ball and was forced to leave the court with a right knee issue. An ace from Rettke earned Eczacibasi four consecutive set points (24–20), and Kathryn Plummer converted the second to seal a 25–21 win. It marked the first set dropped by Numia Vero Volley Milano in this season’s Champions League. Eczacibasi posted an impressive 71% positive reception in the set, while Numia committed seven unforced errors.

The second set followed a similar pattern early on, with Karakurt’s return to the court providing a key boost for the hosts. Numia capitalised on their improved level to take an 8–5 lead. Eczacibasi responded to level at 10–10, but the Italian side then surged ahead, opening a 17–12 gap and extending it to 19–12. Numia controlled the closing stages to take the set 25–20 and level the match at 1–1.

Rebecca Piva led Numia in the second set with seven points (two aces, 63% attack efficiency), while Karakurt topped Eczacibasi with five points (56% attack).

Numia carried their momentum into the third set, taking an early 8–5 lead before Eczacibasi drew level at 8–8. The hosts then moved ahead 13–11, but Numia responded to make it 14–14, setting off another back-and-forth phase. Eczacibasi led 18–16, only for Milano to equalise at 20–20 and then edge ahead at 21–20 after a spike by Piva. Two consecutive points from Paola Egonu put Numia up 23–21, and despite a timeout from Eczacibasi, Egonu closed the set 25–22 to give Milano a 2–1 lead.

Egonu starred in the third set with 10 points (two aces, one block, 47% attack). For Eczacibasi, Sinead Jack-Kisal and Magdalena Stysiak scored six points each.

A fierce battle unfolded in the fourth set, with Eczacibasi gaining a slight edge at 10–8. Karakurt’s spike made it 12–9, and the hosts soon extended the margin to 16–11. Benefiting from consecutive errors by the visitors, Eczacibasi stretched the gap to 18–12 and calmly maintained their advantage to close the set 25–22, forcing a deciding tie-break.

Scoring was evenly distributed in the fourth set. Karakurt led Eczacibasi with five points, while Jack-Kisal and Rettke added four each. For Numia, Egonu, Piva and Akimova all scored four points.

The tie-break opened with a block by Jack-Kisal on Egonu, followed by another block from Karakurt to give Eczacibasi a 3–1 lead. The teams traded points until Kurtagić recorded her seventh block to level at 5–5. Egonu then scored to give Numia their first lead at 6–5, and Kurtagić’s eighth block made it 7–5 before Egonu finished the next rally for an 8–5 advantage.

That moment sparked Eczacibasi into action. On Rettke’s serve, the hosts produced a 4–0 run to move ahead 9–8. Vita Akimova responded to swing the momentum back in Numia’s favour at 11–10, but Jack-Kisal answered with two powerful attacks. A strong serve then allowed Karakurt to score for a 13–12 Eczacibasi lead. Lanier tied it at 13–13, before an Egonu error handed the hosts their first match point. Rettke sealed the dramatic 15–13 victory with a block on Lanier.

Sinead Jack-Kisal was named MVP after an outstanding performance, finishing with 21 points, one ace, six blocks and an impressive 67% attack efficiency, making her Eczacibasi’s top scorer.

For Numia Vero Volley Milano, Paola Egonu led all scorers with 27 points (two aces, one block), Rebecca Piva added 19, while Hena Kurtagić impressed with eight blocks and a total of 13 points.

Pool D: ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ (POL) vs. A. Carraro Prosecco DOC CONEGLIANO (ITA) 0-3 (14-25, 23–25, 13–25) 

A. Carraro Prosecco DOC CONEGLIANO continued their flawless Champions League run with a commanding 3–0 victory over ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ on Wednesday evening at the Łódź Sport Arena, strengthening their position at the top of Pool D. The match coincided with the debut of Weronika Centka-Tietianiec for ŁKS Commercecon.

The Italian champions set the tone early, dominating the opening set with strong pressure from the service line and an efficient block-defense system. Conegliano quickly built separation and left little room for the hosts to settle, closing the set 25–14 with authority.

ŁKS responded with greater intensity in the second set, raising their level in attack and serving to stay in close contention. The Polish side pushed Conegliano point for point and briefly threatened to extend the match, but the visitors remained composed in the key moments. Timely side-outs and disciplined execution allowed Conegliano to edge the set 25–23 and maintain full control of the encounter. The 23 points are the most the hosts have ever scored in a single set against Conegliano.

With momentum firmly on their side, Conegliano reasserted their dominance in the third set. Their blocking presence and transition play proved decisive once more, as they pulled away steadily and sealed the straight-sets victory at 25–13 after 74 minutes of play.

Zhu Ting was named MVP after leading the scoring charts with 15 points, while Isabelle Haak and Nika Daalderop provided consistent support in attack. For ŁKS, Thana Fayad was the most productive player, finishing with 10 points after moving from the outside hitter to the opposite position. 

The win extends Conegliano’s remarkable Champions League group-stage winning streak and keeps them on course as they aim for a historic third consecutive continental title, while ŁKS will look to regroup as the Pool D battle continues.

Pool D: ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü (TUR) vs. DRESDNER SC (GER) 3–0 (26–24, 25–18, 25–16)

ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü continued their impressive debut Champions League campaign with a confident 3–0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-16) victory over DRESDNER SC on Tuesday evening in Ankara, in front of 1,150 spectators at the TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall. Among those in attendance was German Ambassador Sibylle Katharina Sorg, who witnessed a high-quality Pool D encounter.

The opening set proved to be the most competitive of the match, with both teams trading points and neither side able to build a clear advantage. Dresdner SC applied significant pressure late on and reached a crucial 24-22 lead, putting Zeren Spor on the brink of conceding the set. However, opposite Anna Lazareva stepped up in decisive fashion, scoring consecutive points to spark a 4–0 run that turned the set around and handed the hosts a dramatic 26-24 advantage.

That momentum carried into the second set. After a balanced start at 6-5, Zeren Spor took full control during Beyza Arıcı’s service rotation. Strong serving disrupted the German side’s reception and allowed the hosts to pull away to a 16-10 lead. Zeren maintained their rhythm in attack and defence, with Aleksandra Uzelac sealing the set at 25-18 with a powerful finish.

The third set followed a similar pattern, with Dresdner SC staying competitive in the early exchanges. However, the team from the Turkish capital remained composed in the closing stages, tightening their block and capitalising on transition opportunities to close the set 25-16 and complete the straight-sets win in 75 minutes.

Zeren Spor outperformed their opponents in attack (47 winning spikes to 32) and served effectively at key moments, while Ofelia Malinov, named MVP of the match, orchestrated the offence with precision. Lazareva led all scorers with 18 points, while Marta Kamēlija Levinska was Dresdner SC’s top contributor with 13.

With the win, ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü strengthened their position in Pool D, while Dresdner SC will look to bounce back as the group phase continues.

Pool E: Maritza PLOVDIV (BUL) vs. LEVALLOIS PARIS Saint Cloud (FRA) 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-22, 25-15)

Bulgaria’s Maritza Plovdiv achieved their first Champions League win of the season, a 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-22, 25-15) home victory over France’s Levallois Paris Saint Cloud in Wednesday’s Pool E match at the iconic Kolodruma hall in Europe’s oldest living city. Maritza surpassed Levallois to third place in the current pool standings. They are on a 1-2 win-loss record each, but the Bulgarian team has four points, against just two for the French team.

Before the game, Bulgaria’s most famous athlete in history, Plovdiv-born soccer star Hristo Stoichkov, whose brand H8S is among Maritza’s partners, gave the home girls a pep talk and posed for photos with them. At the end of the match, he presented the Most Valuable Player award.

The inspired Bulgarian team quickly recovered from an early two-point deficit and broke away with a five-point lead at 12-7. Levallois, in turn, battled their way back to catch up at 16-16 and gain a small advantage on the scoreboard, which they maintained through 22-21. Playing more effectively at the net, in both spiking and blocking, Maritza regained control in the money time. Opposite Iva Dudova brought in set point with a successful swing, and middle blocker Boryana Angelova converted it with a monster block for 25-22.

After a strong start to the second set for Maritza, Levallois stepped up their spiking effort with fabulous work from Argentinean setter Victoria Mayer and Czech outside hitter Magdalena Bukovska spearheading the offense. The French team broke away in the score to dominate on the court through the end of set. Set point was delivered with a speedy first-tempo kill by Dutch middle Tessa Polder and converted with a spectacular pipe shot from Bukovska for 25-18.

With the first rally of the third set, Maritza took the lead and held on to it through the end. Dudova was on fire in attack, but it was German outside Vanessa Agbortabi that delivered the last two points, a pulverizing kill for 24-21 and a block-out shot for 25-22.

After 9-8 in set four, Maritza managed to string up eight points in a row on middle Borislava Saykova’s turn to serve, including two back-to-back aces, to open up a 17-8 gap and never looked back. Agbortabi’s spike kill brought in match point at 24-13. Three rallies later, Saykova put an end to it all with a successful block for 25-15.

Iva Dudova was the best scorer of the match with a total of 24 points, including two kill blocks, and earned the MVP award. Borislava Saykova, Vanessa Agbortabi and outside Viktoria Koeva also reached the double digits with 14, 13 and 11 points, respectively. Magdalena Bukovska was Levallois’s most prolific scorer with 17 points.