Nafels Rally Past St.Gallen for 3-1 NLA Victory

Nafels recovered from a first-set setback to beat St.Gallen 3-1 in Swiss Volley NLA play on October 25, 2026. After losing the opener 25-23, the visitors took the next three sets 25-20, 25-18, 25-21 to complete a strong away performance built on improved blocking and efficient attacking.

Match overview

St.Gallen made the brighter start, using home support and a patient attack to edge a tight first set. Nafels were not rattled, though, and their response was immediate. They raised their serving intensity in the second set and began to win the long rallies that had gone St.Gallen’s way early on.

• First set: St.Gallen took it 25-23 after a close finish.
• Second set: Nafels levelled with a 25-20 win.
• Third set: The visitors moved ahead comfortably, 25-18.
• Fourth set: Nafels completed the comeback with a 25-21 success.

Key moments

The second set was where the match turned. Nafels built a small lead through a run of strong serves and then defended it with some important blocks at the net. From that point, St.Gallen struggled to find the same attacking rhythm. The third set was Nafels’ most dominant spell, and although St.Gallen improved in the fourth, the visitors had enough control to close out the match.

Tactical story

Nafels’ block-defence system became more effective as the match progressed. Their serving forced St.Gallen into predictable attacks, allowing the block to commit earlier and the back-row defence to read the play. St.Gallen’s first-set success came from good variety and a strong contribution from the middle, but Nafels adjusted well and limited those options in the following sets.

Standout performers

Nafels’ opposite hitter was a reliable point-scorer throughout, especially during the second and third sets, while the middle blockers made a clear impact with blocks and quick attacks. St.Gallen’s outside hitter showed fighting spirit and kept the home side competitive in the fourth, but Nafels had more answers in the decisive phases.

Season impact

The away win is a meaningful result for Nafels, who showed the kind of resilience needed in a long NLA campaign. St.Gallen will be disappointed to have lost after a promising start, particularly at home, and will focus on maintaining their level after the opening set. Nafels’ ability to adapt mid-match will be a positive takeaway as they look ahead to their next fixtures.