VakıfBank, Scandicci, Developres, Vero Volley and Zeren march on with new wins in #CLVolleyW

The fourth leg of Round 4 in the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 | Women continued on Wednesday, with five matches across Europe. In Pool A, VakıfBank ISTANBUL extended their perfect run, claiming a fourth straight victory over CS Volei Alba BLAJ in straight sets. Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI stayed close behind in the standings, overcoming Volero Le CANNET despite health challenges, led by Lindsey Ruddins, who stepped up when the team needed her most. In Pool E, KS Developres RZESZÓW defeated LEVALLOIS PARIS Saint Cloud 3-1, with Laura Heyrman overcoming an on-court injury to return in the next set and lead her team to a very important win. Numia Vero Volley MILANO powered past OK Železničar LAJKOVAC in straight sets, surviving a fierce 29-27 battle in the third set to claim their third Pool C victory. While in Pool D, ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü powered by Aleksandra Uzelac and Anna Lazareva delivered a flawless performance, earning an away 3-0 win against ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ.

Pool A: VakifBank ISTANBUL (TUR) vs. CS Volei Alba BLAJ (ROU) 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-20)

VakifBank ISTANBUL delivered a composed and authoritative performance on home court, brushing aside CS Volei Alba BLAJ in straight sets (25–19, 25–13, 25–20) in just 68 minutes to tighten their grip on Pool A of the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026, Women.

Backed by 1,700 fans at VakifBank Spor Sarayi, the six-time European champions controlled the match from start to finish, dominating at the net (9–1 in kill blocks) and maintaining constant pressure from the service line. Chiaka Ogbogu was once again central to VakifBank’s success, earning MVP honours after contributing 11 points, including four blocks and two aces, while anchoring a block-defence system that repeatedly disrupted Alba Blaj’s attack.

Despite some early resistance from the Romanian side in the opening set, VakifBank’s superior efficiency soon told. The hosts capitalised on opponent errors and tightened their transition game to edge the first set 25–19, before accelerating decisively in the second, where their block and fast offence opened up a commanding 25–13 margin. Alba Blaj showed more stability in the third set, but VakifBank remained in control, closing the match without conceding momentum.

Marina Markova led all scorers with 15 points, followed by Tijana Bošković (13) and Héléna Cazaute (12), as VakifBank once again underlined their depth and balance. For Alba Blaj, Ana Escamilla topped her team’s scoring with nine points, but the Romanians struggled to find answers against VakifBank’s physicality and pace.
The result also extended VakifBank’s perfect record against Romanian opposition in the Champions League, adding another chapter to a rivalry that dates back to the 2017/18 Final. As Pool A progresses, the Istanbul giants look firmly on course, while Alba Blaj will aim to regroup quickly as the battle for knockout places intensifies.

Pool A: Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI (ITA) vs. Volero LE CANNET (FRA) 3–0 (25–18, 25–13, 25–23)

Savino Del Bene Scandicci recorded a convincing straight-sets victory over Volero Le Cannet, despite being without Maja Ognjenović, Ekaterina Antropova and Linda Nkiruka Nwakalor. Lindsey Ruddins delivered a standout performance, with strong support from Camilla Weitzel, Avery Skinner and Marta Bechis.
This was the second meeting between the two sides. In their first encounter a month ago in France, Savino Del Bene also emerged victorious, winning 3–1.

The Italian side opened the match in dominant fashion, taking an early 6–2 lead in the first set. Volero quickly responded to close the gap to 6–4, before an evenly matched spell followed, with the hosts maintaining a two-point cushion. Savino Del Bene pulled away at 15–12 and 18–13, but Volero reduced the deficit to 19–16. A strong serving run by Avery Skinner lifted the home team to 22–16, and the set was sealed at 25–18 for a 1–0 lead.
Ruddins led the way with an impressive nine points in the opening set, hitting at 60% efficiency, while Skinner added six points, including two aces and one block. For Volero, Vangellya Rachovska, Ruta Staniulyte (two blocks) and Liubou Svetnik each scored three points.

Savino Del Bene again took control early in the second set, going up 3–1 and forcing Volero head coach Marco Fenoglio to call a timeout. The French side responded with improved organization and fighting spirit, leveling the score at 6–6. However, a 3–0 run restored Savino Del Bene’s advantage at 9–6, and consecutive aces from Camilla Weitzel pushed the score to 13–7. The hosts continued to dominate, racing to 20–11 before closing the set 25–13 to move ahead 2–0.
Ruddins added another nine points in the second set (one ace, one block, 70% attack efficiency), while Weitzel contributed seven points, including three aces and one block. Savino Del Bene posted outstanding team statistics in the set, with 71% positive reception, five aces, three blocks and only three errors. Alina Popova scored three points for Volero.

Volero attempted to take the initiative at the start of the third set, but Savino Del Bene responded confidently, treating the crowd to a balanced and exciting contest. The higher-quality lineup of the hosts gradually pulled away, leading 5–3, 10–5 and 16–10. Savino Del Bene reached the closing stages with a 20–14 advantage, but Volero mounted a late comeback to narrow the gap to 22–21. Still, the Italian side held firm to close the set 25–23, completing a maximum victory and securing their third win in Pool A of the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026.

Lindsey Ruddins, opposite hitter for Savino Del Bene Scandicci, was named MVP of the match after scoring 24 points (two aces, one block, 58% attack efficiency). She was well supported by Camilla Weitzel with 13 points (four aces, three blocks).
For Volero Le Cannet, Alina Popova was the top scorer with 12 points, while Vangellya Rachkovska finished with 10.

Savino Del Bene outperformed their opponents in key statistics, recording nine aces and seven blocks, compared to Volero’s one ace and four blocks. 

Pool E: KS Developres RZESZÓW (POL) vs. LEVALLOIS PARIS Saint Cloud (FRA) 3-1 (25-27, 28-26, 25-13, 27-25)

At the halfway point of the group stage, all four teams in Pool E were level, each with two wins and one loss. With the standings so tight, motivation was high heading into the fourth round of matches. Group leaders KS Developres Rzeszów faced Levallois Paris Saint-Cloud, a team they knew well after a dramatic first encounter earlier in the competition, which the French side had won in a tense tie-break. The rematch proved just as thrilling, but the hosts, led by the hero of the night Laura Heyrman - who, despite a finger dislocation in the first set, returned to the court - secured an important 3-1 victory.

KS Developres Rzeszów made a strong start behind Julita Piasecka and Taylor Bannister, quickly building an 8–3 lead. Levallois Paris Saint Cloud began to close the gap through Magdalena Bukovska and Zuzana Sepelova, supported by a series of service errors from Rzeszów. From 14–10 down, the visitors put together a four-point streak to level the score at 14–14. The tie served as a wake-up call for the hosts. A block from Wenerska–Heyrman on Bukovska restored a two-point advantage at 17–15, and an ace from Laura Heyrman - who scored 4 points in the set - combined with a Paris hitting error to push Rzeszów ahead 20–16. Paris immediately responded, with Depie and Bukovska leading the charge to narrow the gap to 20–19.  Head coach César Hernández called a timeout, but Bukovska’s run on serve swung the momentum in Paris’ favor, lifting the visitors to a 21–20 lead. The remainder of the set was played point by point. Paris earned the first set point, which was denied by a smart attack from Bannister. Late in the set, Rzeszów suffered a setback as Heyrman injured her hand and was replaced by Svitlana Dorsman. Bannister, who finished the set with five points, kept the hosts alive again with a powerful spike to make it 26–26. Paris finally converted on their third set point when Bukovska, also with five points, broke through a double block, and a long spike from Bannister sealed the opening set for the visitors.

Determined to put the opening set behind them, KS Developres Rzeszów once again jumped out to a 4–1 lead. This time, however, Levallois Paris Saint Cloud responded immediately. Strong offensive work from Bukovska and Nika Milosic quickly erased the gap, and Paris levelled the score at 7–7, setting the tone for another hard-fought set marked by long exchanges and heavy attacking. Cyrielle Depie stood out for the visitors, combining power at the net with effectiveness from the service line. She finished the set with 4 kills at 57% efficiency and added 2 aces. Rzeszów, led by Taylor Bannister (4 points), worked more with block, and an attack from Laura Heyrman - back on court despite her hand injury in the first set - gave the hosts a 15–12 advantage. Once again, the lead proved fragile. Paris strengthened by Rzeszów’s errors to turn the set around, with an ace from Sepelova pushing the visitors ahead 16–15 and successfully resetting the score. Levallois Paris then became the first team to open a two-point margin at 18–16 following another successful attack from Bukovska, who scored six points in the set. Head coach César Hernández reacted with a double substitution, introducing Karina Chmielewska and Oliwia Sieradzka. The move paid off immediately, as Sieradzka’s spike tied the score at 19–19. The closing stage again turned into a tense battle. After a Bannister kill, Rzeszów earned their first set point at 24–23 but failed to convert, also missing the next two chances largely due to their own errors. The hosts finally closed the set at 28–26 when Julita Piasecka, who scored 4 points in the set, finished a returning free ball to level the match.

KS Developres Rzeszów looked determined to keep their momentum and avoid a repeat of the earlier sets. Despite early resistance from Levallois Paris Saint Cloud, a block by Laura Heyrman on Milosic sparked a strong run that lifted the hosts to an 8-4 lead. This time, Rzeszów stayed focused and in control. With Heyrman at the service line - who scored in total 6 points in the set - the advantage quickly grew to 12–6. Julita Piasecka then took charge both in attack and from the line, helping the hosts extend their dominance as Paris struggled to regain rhythm or find answers to the home side’s intensity. By 19–9, Rzeszów were firmly in command and marched confidently toward the set win. Piasecka, playing with complete confidence, delivered a flawless attacking performance, scoring 8 points at 100% efficiency. She also sealed the set with the final point, as Rzeszów closed it convincingly at 25–13.

Levallois Paris Saint Cloud started strong, with an ace from Nika Milosic giving the visitors a 7–5 lead. The French side seized the momentum, eager to extend the match. A powerful block from Bukovska followed by an ace from Victoria Mayer pushed Paris ahead 13–9, forcing coach César Hernández to call a timeout to calm his team, who were committing uncharacteristic errors. Rzeszów fought back, narrowing the gap to 14–13, but Paris quickly restored a three-point lead at 17–14. A timeout for the visitors seemed to energize the hosts. A block from Pierzchała–Wenerska on Sepelova, combined with a service ace from Laura Heyrman, allowed Rzeszów to take an 18–17 lead. Coach Alessandro Orefice responded with a double substitution, a move that paid immediate dividends as Paris won three consecutive points to lead 20–19. The closing stages of the set were tense. Paris reached 23–21 and earned two set points at 24–22, both denied by Rzeszów’s Sieradzka and Heyrman. A subsequent block from Jasper-Heyrman on Depie gave Rzeszów a match point, which they could not convert. On the next opportunity, a spectacular spike from Heyrman finally closed the set and the match at 27–25, completing a thrilling comeback and a hard-fought victory for the hosts.

Julita Piasecka led all scorers with 20 points, including 17 kills at 49% efficiency, one block, and two aces, while also contributing 45% positive receptions. Yet the real hero of the night was Laura Heyrman, who returned to the court despite her first-set injury. Heyrman tallied 19 points, featuring 12 kills at an impressive 67% success rate, three blocks, and four aces, earning the MVP award and winning the hearts of the fans. Taylor Bannister added 13 points for Rzeszów. For Levallois Paris Saint Cloud, Magdalena Bukovska scored 18 points, and Cyrielle Depie contributed 16, with both players showing strong attacking and service performances despite the team’s narrow defeat.

Pool C: Numia Vero Volley MILANO (ITA) vs. OK Železničar LAJKOVAC (SRB) 3–0 (25–16, 25–16, 29–27) 

Numia Vero Volley Milano secured a straight-sets victory over OK Železničar Lajkovac despite head coach Stefano Lavarini opting for a rotated lineup. Francesca Bosio, Anna Danesi and Rebecca Piva did not enter the match, while Paola Egonu appeared only in the closing stages, scoring the final eight points. That, however, did not prevent the Italian side from claiming a convincing win. In the first meeting between the two teams in Lajkovac, Milano had also prevailed 3–0.

Železničar started bravely in Milan and even took a narrow early lead, but a block by Kamerynn Ashleigh Miner and an ace from Vita Akimova turned the momentum in Milano’s favor, making it 5–3, then 7–4 and 12–6. Numia Vero Volley steadily increased the gap to 16–9 and 21–13, closing the opening set 25–16 for a 1–0 lead.
In the first set, Milano recorded four blocks and two aces, committing only four errors, while Železničar finished with 10 errors, one ace and no blocks. Vita Akimova led the hosts with five points, while Milica Živanović scored four for the visitors.

The home side, clear favorites in the match, opened the second set strongly to go up 7–2. Železničar responded to cut the deficit to 8–6 and then 9–8, but a drop in concentration midway through the set allowed Milano to pull away again, leading 14–10 and then 20–11. Controlled play saw Numia Vero Volley close the set 25–16 and move ahead 2–0.
Milano posted an impressive 71% positive reception in the second set, compared to Železničar’s 55%. Elena Pietrini was the most efficient player in that set with six points (56% attack efficiency, 75% positive reception, one block). Vanja Savić, Sara Sakradžija and Milena Koprivica each scored two points for Železničar.

Železničar led 7–5 in the third set before Milano drew level at 7–7. After the score was tied again at 10–10, the hosts went on a 3–0 run to make it 13–10 and later extended the advantage to 19–12. In the closing stages it was 22–18, but after Milano reached match point at 24–21, Železničar fought back to level at 24–24, prompting Lavarini to bring in Paola Egonu. Milano failed to convert four match points and even allowed the visitors a set point at 26–25. Egonu turned the score around to 27–26, Železničar equalized once more, but Numia Vero Volley finally converted their sixth match point to win the set 29–27 and seal a 3–0 victory.

Vita Akimova, opposite hitter for Numia Vero Volley Milano, was named MVP of the match. She finished with 14 points (one ace, one block), the same total as Elena Pietrini, who added two blocks.
For Železničar, Milica Živanović led the scoring with 10 points (three aces, one block, 67% attack efficiency).

Pool D: ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ (POL) vs. ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü (TUR) 0-3 (21-25, 18-25, 17-25)

ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü continued their outstanding debut campaign in the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 with another convincing straight-sets victory over ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ, this time on Polish soil. In front of 985 spectators at the Łódź Sport Arena, the Turkish side claimed a confident 3–0 (25–21, 25–18, 25–17) win in just 72 minutes to record their third victory in a row and remain firmly in control of Pool D.

The opening set proved to be the most competitive phase of the match. ŁKS, playing their eighth Champions League encounter against Turkish opposition, stayed close throughout and repeatedly tried to close the gap, but Zeren showed greater composure in the decisive rallies. Strong serving pressure and efficient side-out play allowed the visitors to pull clear late on and secure the set 25–21.

From that point on, Zeren fully imposed their rhythm. The Ankara-based club dominated both the second and third sets, serving aggressively (12 aces overall) and controlling the net, while limiting ŁKS’s attacking options. With libero Anna Pawłowska returning for her second consecutive Champions League match following health issues and Thana Fayad once again deployed as opposite, the Polish side struggled to find consistency against Zeren’s well-organised block-defence system.

Anna Lazareva led the way and was deservedly named MVP, finishing with 17 points and providing constant pressure from the right side. She was well supported by Aleksandra Uzelac, who topped the scoring charts with 19 points, and Saliha Şahin, who added 12 as Zeren outscored the hosts 74–55 overall.

For ŁKS Commercecon Łódź, the defeat marked another difficult outing against Turkish opposition, as their Champions League record against such teams slipped to 1–6, with all five losses coming in straight sets. Despite moments of resistance, the Polish runners-up were unable to match Zeren’s consistency in break-point situations.

With two wins over ŁKS now secured home and away, ANKARA Zeren Spor Kulübü have firmly announced themselves as serious contenders in Pool D, while ŁKS will look to regroup quickly as the group stage moves into its decisive phase.