#CLVolleyW Round 4 Kickoff: Fenerbahçe and Novara victorious, Conegliano survives a wild five-setter

The wait is over! Tuesday night kicked off Round 4 of the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 | Women, delivering three thrilling battles.

In Pool B, Fenerbahçe Medicana Istanbul proved too strong for the spirited newcomers Sport Lisboa e Benfica, opening their 16th #CLVolleyW campaign with a commanding win. Meanwhile, returning to Europe’s top-tier club competition, the 2018/2019 champions Igor Gorgonzola Novara fought their way to a hard-earned 3-1 away victory over PGE Budowlani Łódź. But it was the Pool D showdown that truly electrified volleyball fans: a five-set thriller between the reigning champions A. Carraro Prosecco DOC Conegliano and the debutants Ankara Zeren Spor Kulübü, ultimately ending in favour of the Italian powerhouse.

Fenerbahçe Medicana ISTANBUL - Sport LISBOA e Benfica 3:0 (25:18, 25:19, 25:12)

The clash between Fenerbahçe Medicana Istanbul and Sport Lisboa e Benfica opened the rivalry in Round 4 of the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 | Women. At the Burhan Felek Volleyball Hall in Istanbul, the hosts immediately set the tone: a powerful opening spike from Arina Fedorovtseva sparked the crowd. Yet Benfica, making their historic debut in the Champions League group stage, showed no signs of stage fright. The Portuguese side kept pace early (5–4), despite facing a far more experienced opponent supported by a loud home crowd. Missing several key starters - including Orro, Erdem, and Vargas - Fenerbahçe relied on their sharp reception (an impressive 71% positive in the first set). This stability allowed them to gain a 3-point lead (8–5). Still, Benfica, powered by Mayara Barcelos and Veronika Dokic, fought their way back to level the score at 11–11. From there, momentum shifted decisively. With Fedorovtseva at the service line, Fenerbahçe delivered an impressing run highlighted by three consecutive aces, jumping ahead 17–11. Benfica fought hard, but the home side's efficiency in blocking and attacking kept the set firmly under their control. A back-row kill from Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani closed the set at 25-18, with both she and Fedorovtseva finishing as joint top scorers on 6 points apiece.

The second set opened just as competitively. Benfica gained their first lead of the match at 4–2, thanks to a spike from Isidora Ubavic. After a Fenerbahçe breakpoint, Fedorovtseva once again sparked a service run to swing the score to 6–4, but this time Benfica responded with resilience. An impressive block from Garcez and Dokić on Baladin pushed the visitors ahead 8–7. Coach Marcello Abbondanza immediately called a timeout, and this quickly paid off: Fenerbahçe moved to a 10–7 lead. Benfica kept fighting - trailing only 13–12 at one stage, but the home side, led again by Fedorovtseva contributing in both attack and block, widened the gap to 16–12. Though not flawless, Fenerbahçe’s defensive wall proved decisive, (six block in the second set). With momentum fully on their side, the hosts closed out the set with three consecutive kills from Fedorovtseva, sealing a commanding 2–0 lead.

Fenerbahçe carried their momentum into the third set, with another service ace from Fedorovtseva giving them an early 4–2 edge. Powerful attacks from Hande Baladin and Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani widened the gap to 9–4, putting the hosts firmly in control. Despite staying behind, Benfica refused to let the set - and the game - slip away easily. The Champions League rookies - powered by Mayara Barcelos and Cansu Çetin - put the pressure and shortened the distance to 10–8. Their fearless play, however, wasn’t enough to stop the Turkish powerhouse. Fenerbahçe quickly restored their lead to 14–9, and with Fedorovtseva once again leading the charge, they extended it further to 19–10. With the final win in sight, Fenerbahçe was stepping confidently toward victory. A decisive spike from Liza Safronova sealed the final point, completing a dominant performance and securing the straight-sets win in their 16th #CLVolleyW campaign.

The MVP award was awarded - unquestionably - to Arina Fedorovtseva, who delivered a standout performance with 21 points (6 aces, 1 block, 14 kills at 54% efficiency, and 38% positive reception). She was supported by strong performance from Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani with 13 points (including 3 blocks), Hande Baladin with 9 points, and Agnieszka Korneluk, who added 8 points (4 blocks). For Benfica, Mayara Barcelos and Cansu Çetin led the scoring with 10 points each, marking an encouraging performance in their first-ever Champions League group-stage match.

PGE Budowlani ŁÓDŹ - Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA 1:3 (25:20, 19:25, 23:25, 17:25)

In the second Pool B encounter, PGE Budowlani Łódź faced the 2018/2019 champions, Igor Gorgonzola Novara. Novara returned to the elite European stage for the first time since the 2022/2023 season. The opening rally ended with a Storck attack, setting the tone at Łódź Sport Arena.

The start of the match was extremely tight, with long rallies filled with some spectacular saves and smart plays. Budowlani built an early advantage (7-4) after Paulina Damaske's attack. Novara struggled to find their rhythm, committing several errors, while an ace from Sasa Planinsec extended Budowlani’s lead to 10-6. Sparked by the home crowd, and with Alicja Grabka on serve, Budowlani controlled the game, jumping to 14-7. However, with a comfortable lead, the home team began to struggle with reception, which Novara capitalized on, reducing the deficit to 15-10, led by Tatiana Tolok. Coach Maciej Biernat quickly calmed down his team, and with Rodica Buterez and Paulina Damaske leading the attack, Budowlani maintained a safe distance at 21-15. Maja Storck, who opened the set, also closed it with a decisive attack, giving Budowlani a 25-20 win in the first set.

The second set began with Joanna Lelonkiewicz (née Pacak) blocking Mayu Ishikawa, but Novara swiftly took control, taking a 5-1 lead after spikes from Tolok and Ishikawa, who was making her Champions League debut. Budowlani fought to narrow the gap to 6-3, but the Italian side remained dominant, with Tolok and Indy Baijens leading the charge. The Italian side recorded 94% positive receptions, thanks to strong efforts from Lina Alsmeier, who entered the court at the beginning of the second set. Budowlani refused to give up, and with Lelonkiewicz on serve, they shortened the distance to 15-13. Storck and Buterez contributed solid spikes, bringing the score to 16-15, but Novara rebuilt their advantage to 21–16 thanks to Baijens’ pressure from the service line. Strong serving from Carlotta Cambi further pushed the visitors ahead, and Tolok ended the set 25–19 with a decisive right-side spike in favor of Novara.

Novara carried the momentum into the third set, taking a 4-1 lead with Alsmeier serving. Budowlani, however, kept pace and tied the score at 9-9. Grabka effectively distributed the ball across her spikers, resulting in a point-by-point battle that lasted until 17-17. Novara then scored four consecutive points, led by Alsmeier’s serve and spikes from Bonifacio and Herbots, to lead 21-17. Budowlani reduced the gap to 22-21, but a final spike from Lina Alsmeier secured the set for Novara, putting them ahead 2-1 in the match.

Alsmeier again set the tone from the service line in the fourth set, taking Novara to a 3-1 lead. Budowlani, powered by Damaske and Storck, tied it at 4-4, but Novara’s Tolok led a run from 6-6 to 12-6, supported by powerful serves from Britt Herbots that disrupted Budowlani’s reception. Novara’s superior blocks extended the lead to 17-10. Budowlani tried to mount a comeback but could not establish momentum, while Novara remained confident. Alsmeier’s final spike sealed the match, earning her MVP honors.

MVP Lina Alsmeier, who came off the bench as a substitute for Britt Herbots at the beginning of the second set, contributed 15 points, including 11 kills at a 38% success rate, 1 ace, and 3 blocks, while achieving 65% positive receptions. Tatiana Tolok led all scorers with 25 points (24 kills at 65% success, 1 block), while Sara Bonifacio added 11. For Budowlani, Maja Storck and Rodica Buterez each tallied 19 points.

A. Carraro Prosecco DOC CONEGLIANO - ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü 3:2 (23:25, 26:24, 23:25, 25:22, 20:18)

In Pool D, the reigning back-to-back champions A. Carraro Prosecco DOC Conegliano were pushed to the absolute limit by Champions League debutants Ankara Zeren Spor Kulübü, surviving a breathtaking five-setter. It was Conegliano’s 23rd consecutive Champions League victory — but unquestionably one of the hard-earned in their recent history. Zeren, playing their first-ever match on Europe’s biggest stage, pushed until the final serve and came within just two points of a monumental upset.

Zeren announced themselves to Europe already in the opening set. Few debutants have entered a Champions League match with such fearlessness. Ankara Zeren opened aggressively, placing early pressure on Conegliano’s reception and forcing the Italian side into uncharacteristic errors. Despite strong contributions from Isabelle Haak and a typically composed defensive line anchored by Monica De Gennaro, Conegliano trailed throughout the set. Zeren’s block–defence was sharp and disciplined, and their transition efficiency stunned the home crowd. A late push from the Italians brought the score to 23–24, but Zeren closed the set confidently, taking their first-ever Champions League set 25–23.

The defending champions returned with more stability, especially in the first tempo and back-row cover, yet Zeren refused to back down. Haak and Fahr delivered crucial kills, while Wolosz used the middle more aggressively to stretch the Turkish block. 

If the second set was a warning, the third confirmed it: Zeren were not only competing — they were controlling long stretches of play. Their serving rhythm disrupted Conegliano’s trademark speed, while Malinov ran a varied offence that repeatedly exploited the seams of the Italian block. Conegliano momentarily led, but Zeren dominated the final rallies with composed sideout play, taking the set 25–23 and reclaiming a 2–1 lead.

With pressure mounting, Conegliano relied on their core: Haak in transition, De Gennaro’s elite backcourt reading, and Wolosz pushing the tempo whenever possible. Zeren continued to counter with brilliant defensive coverage and fearless attacking, but Conegliano’s experience in critical moments proved decisive. And the Italians forced a fifth set with 25–22.

The tie-break was everything European volleyball promises: long rallies, momentum swings, bodies on the floor, and two teams refusing to surrender. Both sides traded blows until Conegliano finally broke through with two consecutive points, escaping a massive upset 20–18 and taking the match 3–2. The champions survived — but Zeren won hearts, respect, and legitimacy on their very first night in Europe.

The MVP award went to Gabi, who delivered 21 points, including 1 ace, 19 kills at a 51% success rate, and 1 block, while also contributing with 55% positive reception. Isabelle Haak led all scorers with an impressive 29 points. For Ankara, Aleksandra Uzelac posted 24 points and Maja Aleksić added 19.

Action in the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 | Women resumes on Wednesday with four fixtures, while the final three matches of the opening week will take place on Thursday.