The top two teams in the 2024-2025 Lega Volley Femminile Serie A1 Tigotà, Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano and Savino Del Bene Scandicci are set to clash this weekend in what’s arguably the most-anticipated match of the Italian League regular season.

The finalists of the Lega Femminile last season, the two giants will meet on Saturday, at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT), in Firenze, in the first of seven matches of the sixth leg of the second round of the regular season set to happen in Italy this weekend.

• Watch the Lega Volley Femminile Serie A1 Tigotà live on VBTV

Ranked second in the standings with 45 points (15 wins, three losses), Scandicci appear as the strongest candidates to spoil Conegliano’s attempt to complete the regular season with an undefeated campaign. The Panthers have been dominant so far and are yet to drop a point, appearing at the top of the standings with 51 points and 17 wins, 13 of which in straight sets.

Olympic champion opposite Ekaterina Antropova will be instrumental to Scandicci as they try to challenge Conegliano on Saturday. The Italian League's top scorer with 417 points, she will need to deliver a strong performance to give her team a chance to take the reigning world champions down.

The great form of Brazilian middle blocker Ana Carolina ‘Carol’ da Silva is another weapon for the home team. After a slow start to the season, the two-time Olympic medalist has found her form and took home the MVP award in Scandicci’s victory over Cda Volley Talmassons Fvg, when she produced seven blocks – Carol is now third in blocks in the Lega Femminile, with 51.

Even though they remain untouchable at the top of the standings, Conegliano have shown slight signs of vulnerability lately as the Panthers dropped two of the four sets they lost this season in their last three matches.

“Our preparation was focused on the Club World Championship, in December, so it was expected that we’d have this slight drop of form now,” setter Joanna Wołosz said after the team’s 3-1 victory over Megabox Ondulati Savio Vallefoglia on Wednesday. “It may take a little while until we get back to our normal level, but we’re certainly improved and I’m satisfied with our progress.”

On Saturday, the world champions will rely on the great form of Chinese star outside hitter Zhu Ting. One of the team’s signings for the season, she is fresh from her most productive performance with the team, having tallied 21 points against Vallefoglia.

Historically, Conegliano have been vastly successful against Scandicci, having won 28 of the 34 duels between the teams. In the first round of the season, the Panthers were dominant, winning in straight sets in Villorba.

Novara looking to bounce back

Ranked right below Conegliano and Scandicci in third place with 38 points (14 wins, four losses), Igor Gorgonzola Novara will try to recover from their midweek loss to Honda Olivero Cuneo to keep their spot. They play at home against Il Bisonte Firenze on Sunday, at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT).

Novara are threatened by fourth-placed Numia Vero Volley Milano, who have the same 38 points, but fewer victories (13). The team of Olympic champions Paola Egonu, Alessia Orro, Anna Danesi and Miriam Sylla will play on Saturday, hosting Bartoccini-MC Restauri Perugia at 20:30 local time (19:30 GMT).

Lega Volley Femmnilie – Match Schedule & Results

The four remaining matches will all be held on Sunday, with Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 hosting Talmassons at 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT), Wash4Green Pinerolo facing Eurotek Uyba Busto Arsizio and SMI Roma Volley meeting Cuneo at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT) and Vallefoglia battling Bergamo in the last match of the weekend, set to start at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT).

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