Conegliano, Vero Volley Milano and DevelopRes Rzeszów all claim key wins on busy #CLVolleyW night
Recap
A packed evening of action in the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 saw decisive results across three pools, as KS DevelopRes Rzeszów secured early qualification in Pool E, Numia Vero Volley Milano delivered a strong away performance in Piraeus, and A. Carraro Prosecco DOC Conegliano confirmed top spot in Pool D with a composed win in Ankara. From statement victories to crucial steps toward the knockout phase, Tuesday’s matches underlined the growing intensity of the group stage.
Numia Vero Volley Milano, led by an outstanding Paola Egonu, secured an away victory over Olympiacos in a match where the Greek side had to cope without Jovana Stevanović, who missed the game due to illness. This was the second meeting between the two teams in the CEV Zeren Group Champions League this season, after Milano had claimed a straight-sets win (3–0) in Italy in their first encounter.
Olympiacos opened the match with great energy and determination, keeping a narrow lead in the early stages. The home side were in front by one or two points for most of the opening set, while Milano drew level at 10–10 midway through. Olympiacos regained the advantage at 15–13, but the Italian team once again equalised at 17–17. After another tense exchange, Angeliki-Melina Emmanouilidou gave Olympiacos a 19–17 lead, yet Milano quickly responded to make it 19–19. The battle continued point for point. After a strong serve by Hena Kurtagić, Paola Egonu scored to put Milano ahead 23–22, and Khalia Imani Lanier extended it to 24–22. Olympiacos managed to save two set points and, thanks to Milica Kubura and Yasmine Abderrahim, eventually closed the set 27–25 to take a 1–0 lead.
Kenia Carcaces led Olympiacos in the first set with seven points (78% attack efficiency), while Milica Kubura, Yasmine Abderrahim and Angeliki-Melina Emmanouilidou added four points each. For Milano, Egonu scored eight points, and Lanier added five.
Olympiacos again started well in the second set, leading 3–1 and 7–4, but Milano soon found their rhythm. The Italian side turned the score around at 10–8 and gradually increased the gap to 13–9, 17–11 and 21–14, eventually taking the set 25–17 to level the match at 1–1.
Egonu contributed six points in the second set, while Hena Kurtagić (two aces, one block, 67% attack) and Khalia Imani Lanier added five each. Milica Kubura scored four points for Olympiacos.
Numia Vero Volley maintained their momentum in the third set, quickly pulling ahead 7–4, 13–8 and 19–11. Olympiacos, unable to reproduce the energy from the opening set, fell 25–17 as Milano moved in front 2–1 in sets. Egonu once again led the way with eight points in the set, reaching a total of 22, while Amanda Coneo scored four for the home team.
The fourth set began with Milano leading 3–1, before Olympiacos briefly turned the score around to 7–5. However, the visitors regained control at 8–8 and never looked back, moving ahead 12–11, then 18–13, and closing the match convincingly at 25–14 for a 3–1 victory.
Paola Egonu was named MVP of the match after an impressive performance, finishing with 32 points and a 65% success rate in attack. Anna Danesi contributed 14 points, including eight blocks and one ace, while Khalia Imani Lanier also scored 14. For Olympiacos, Milica Kubura recorded 13 points and Kenia Carcaces added 10.
Paola Egonu“I’m happy with the way we reacted after the first set. Olympiacos showed their quality early on, but our response was excellent. I’m pleased with the performance and we are ready for the final round.”
Player of Vero Volley
A. Carraro Prosecco DOC Conegliano underlined their authority in Pool D of the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 by sweeping past ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü 3–0 on Tuesday evening in the Turkish capital. In front of a sold-out TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall with Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Manzo also in attendance, the reigning champions delivered a composed and efficient performance to seal first place in the group with one match to spare.
Fresh from their Italian Cup triumph, Conegliano showed no signs of fatigue. Zeren made an energetic start to the opening set, racing into a 7–3 lead behind the strong play of Aleksandra Uzelac, but the Italian side gradually settled into their rhythm. After levelling the score at 15–15, Conegliano relied on their experience in the decisive moments, with Isabelle Haak guiding them to a 25–21 finish.
The visitors tightened their grip in the second set. High-intensity serving and improved blocking allowed Conegliano to establish control early, limiting Zeren’s opportunities in transition. Haak continued to score efficiently as the Italians maintained their advantage throughout, closing the set 25–18 to move 2–0 ahead.
Zeren responded with renewed energy in the third set, briefly edging in front and engaging Conegliano in longer rallies. However, the defending champions once again showed their trademark calm under pressure. Turning the score around to lead 16–13, Conegliano imposed themselves at the net and closed the match 25–21, completing the sweep in just 79 minutes.
Haak was the clear standout and deservedly named MVP after finishing as top scorer with 26 points. Anna Lazareva led the hosts with 18 points, while Uzelac added 15, but the Turkish debutants were unable to disrupt Conegliano’s rhythm over the course of the match.
The victory extends Conegliano’s remarkable Champions League winning streak and confirms their direct passage to the Quarter Finals, while Zeren Spor Kulübü, despite the defeat, continue to gain valuable experience in their historic first Champions League campaign.
Isabelle Haak“I’m so proud of my team. We came straight from the Italian Cup and had a long travel day, but we managed it really well together. We stayed positive, played aggressively and with a lot of motivation. Finishing first in the group was very important for us, and my performance is thanks to my teammates.”
Player of Conegliano
Joanna Wolosz“It was a crazy and really good game. I’m very proud of my team because we arrived here without any rest after the Italian Cup final. We were exhausted but highly motivated to play good volleyball, especially after almost losing the first set. Zeren played a strong match, but apart from that opening set, I think we showed great volleyball. The comeback was important, and I’m proud of the whole team and staff. We’re very tired, but happy to go home and rest.”
Player of Conegliano
Daniele Santarelli"I think we played an amazing match today against a very good team. We were tired—really so tired—but today was special for me because playing in Turkey is always beautiful. To play against a good team like Zeren is very special. I believe we played one of our best matches of the season today. I am so proud of my team because it wasn't easy. Considering we had only a few hours of practice and very little sleep, this is the best performance a coach could imagine for their team."
Head Coach of Conegliano
Aleksandra Uzelac"It is always difficult to play against an opponent like this when they have some of the best players in the world on one team. However, I think we gave a good performance and did our best today. It wasn't amazing volleyball from our side, but playing against these teams is important for our continuous improvement. I am sad because we couldn't do better, but it is okay. We are moving on to the next game, and we will fight until the end. I am still proud of my team because we fight every time."
Player of Zeren
Pool E - Maritza PLOVDIV (BUL) vs KS Developres RZESZÓW (POL) 0-3 (20-25, 16-25, 21-25)
Poland’s DevelopRes Rzeszow beat Bulgaria’s Maritza Plovdiv on Tuesday and secured a top two spot in the final Pool E standings, hence advancement to the next stages of the Champions League. At the iconic Kolodruma hall in Europe’s oldest living city, they mastered a 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-21) sweep and climbed to first place on a 4-1 win-loss record and 12 points. Maritza remained in third place for now, on 1-4 and 4, and without a shot at the top two. This meant that second-placed SSC Palmberg Schwerin of Germany (on 3-1 and 9) will also advance to the elimination rounds.
With five points in a row, Maritza stormed the first set to open a 6-2 lead. DevelopRes, however, reacted quickly with a series of four points to level up at 8-8. Shortly after, the visitors took control of the scoreboard and, making much fewer unforced errors than the home team, they didn’t let go until outside hitter Julita Piasecka hammered the 25-20 set winner.
Riding the momentum, DevelopRes quickly gained a 7-2 advantage in the second set and widened the gap to seven points at 13-6, before Maritza attempted a comeback and got back to within two at 14-12. The Polish team kept focus and once again broke away, spearheaded by opposite Oliwia Sieradzka. Sub-in setter Karina Chmielewska delivered set point with a serving ace, and it was Piasecka once again that converted it with a successful attack for 25-16.
At this point in the match, DevelopRes secured their advancement in the Champions League.
But the battle, of course, went on. The two teams offered a very even and competitive duel, with several changes in the lead. Maritza greatly improved its offensive effort with opposite Iva Dudova on fire, while DevelopRes were merciless from the serving line. The Bulgarian squad managed to break away with a 20-17 lead, but then their guests from Rzeszow went on an 8-1 run and closed the match with two aces in a row by Piasecka for 25-18.
This meant that Maritza was now out of contention for the top two places in the pool.
Oliwia Sieradzka led the winning team with 15 points, including two aces, and was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match. Julita Piasecka added another 14, including three aces, while Iva Dudova was above all with a match-high 24 points for Maritza.
Cesar Hernandez“We weren’t expecting an easy match, because they won against Paris and they are winning many matches in the Bulgarian league. So they have the victory inside them. So we knew how important it was to serve well today and get them out of system. We played well. In the third set, we struggled, especially with the attacks of their opposite, but even in that moment we remained in the match and that was important. We came to win three points and 3-0 is even better because everything will be tough in this group.”
Head Coach of KS DevelopRes Rzeszow
Oliwia Sieradzka“For us it was a really tough match. It was a very important match, because we are fighting for the first place in our pool, so were super focused. Maritza has a really amazing opposite and it was really tough. So, we are so happy that we won this game by 3-0.”
Opposite of KS DevelopRes Rzeszow and match MVP
Ahmetcan Ersimsek“Without a question, they are the strongest team in our group. In Poland we took one set and today we lost by 3-0, but I believe that today we played better than in that match. Of course, now I am sad about the result, but I am happy about how we stood on the court.”
Head Coach of Maritza Plovdiv
Zhana Todorova“Today we played against the best team in our pool, but on the court, it did not feel that they were invincible. We were fighting for the win or at least for a point, but we made too many unforced errors and did not even take a set.”
Libero and captain of Maritza Plovdiv