Reggio Emilia vs Belluno: Five-Set Serie A2 Thriller Ends 3-2

Reggio Emilia claimed a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Belluno in their Serie A2 volleyball match on October 19, 2026, winning the deciding set 15-13 at the PalaBigi. In a contest that swung repeatedly between momentum and pressure, the hosts held their nerve late in the fifth set to take two points from a match that Belluno pushed to the limit.

The result was a strong statement about Reggio Emilia’s depth and composure, while Belluno left with a valuable point of their own after taking the match the distance. For a Serie A2 campaign where every point can shape the standings, the difference between a 3-2 win and a 3-2 defeat was always going to feel significant.

Match overview

Reggio Emilia took the opening set 25-22, using aggressive serving to keep Belluno away from its preferred attacking rhythm. Belluno responded well in the second, tightening its reception and finding more joy through the opposite hitter, and levelled the match with a 25-22 set of its own.

The third set belonged to Reggio Emilia, who regained control at the net and won 25-21. Belluno, however, refused to fade. The visitors produced their best passing stretch of the night in the fourth set and forced a decider with a 25-23 win, setting up a tense finish in front of the home crowd.

In the fifth, neither side managed to build more than a two-point cushion until the closing rallies. Reggio Emilia’s block and error control made the difference down the stretch, and a composed final point sealed a 15-13 deciding-set win.

Key moments

• First set, 18-18: Reggio Emilia strung together a decisive 4-0 run, capped by a serve that disrupted Belluno’s reception and forced a free-ball transition.
• Second set, late: Belluno’s opposite hitter took over in the closing points, helping the visitors close out the set and silence the home crowd briefly.
• Third set, 20-19: Reggio Emilia’s middle blockers combined for back-to-back stops, giving the hosts the separation they needed to take a 2-1 lead.
• Fourth set, 23-23: Belluno won a long rally through a sharp cross-court attack, then followed with a block to force the fifth set.
• Fifth set, 13-13: Reggio Emilia held serve under pressure and converted match point with a block that capped a gritty team performance.

Tactical story

Reggio Emilia’s game plan revolved around serve pressure and disciplined block defence. The hosts targeted Belluno’s outside hitters from the service line, making it difficult for the visitors to run their full attack. When Belluno’s reception held, the match became far more balanced; when it broke down, Reggio Emilia’s transition game took over.

Belluno’s best moments came when it simplified its attack: high, controlled passes to the opposite hitter and enough variety from the middle to keep Reggio Emilia’s block honest. The visitors also improved their floor defence as the match progressed, extending rallies and turning several seemingly lost points into counterattacks.

The deciding set was less about spectacle and more about execution. Reggio Emilia reduced its unforced errors in the final rallies, while Belluno was forced into one or two rushed attacks at the most costly moment. In a match of fine margins, that small gap in error control proved enough.

Standout players

Reggio Emilia’s outside hitter Matteo Ferrarini led the home attack with 24 points, including two aces and a crucial block in the fifth set. His ability to score from the front row and from the back row gave the hosts a reliable outlet whenever Belluno threatened to pull away.

Luca Vescovi added 18 points for Reggio Emilia and was particularly effective in the third set, while middle blocker Davide Marini contributed 11 points and four blocks. Libero Andrea Cattaneo also played an important role, stabilising the reception and keeping several difficult rallies alive.

For Belluno, opposite hitter Marco De Luca was the match’s top scorer with 27 points, carrying much of the attacking burden. Filippo Bortoluzzi added 16 points, and middle blocker Giacomo Viel caused problems with his serving runs in the fourth set. Despite the loss, Belluno’s performance showed why it can be a difficult opponent in Serie A2 this season.

Season impact

The 3-2 scoreline gives Reggio Emilia two points and Belluno one, a reflection of how the Italian volleyball points system rewards a full five-set contest. For Reggio Emilia, the win is a useful early boost in the Serie A2 standings and a confidence-builder ahead of the next round. For Belluno, the point on the road is a reminder that the team can compete deep into matches even when the result slips away.

In a league where promotion