Scandicci Women edged Novara Women 3-2 in a compelling Serie A1 Women volleyball match on October 29, 2026, producing one of the early-season highlights of the Italian top flight. The home side held its nerve in a tense deciding set, turning a back-and-forth contest into a valuable two-point result in the standings.

Match Overview

Scandicci started with intent and took the opening set, but Novara responded with the kind of resilience expected from one of Serie A1 Women’s most competitive sides. The match moved through a series of momentum shifts, with both teams trading long rallies and heavy serving runs. Scandicci ultimately prevailed 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-12, sealing the win in front of a lively home crowd.

The result underlined how tight the top half of the Serie A1 Women table can be. Scandicci’s ability to close out the fifth set at 15-12 was the difference, while Novara left with a point that could still matter in the race for playoff positioning.

Key Moments

• First set: Scandicci’s serve pressure disrupted Novara’s reception early, allowing the home side to build a narrow cushion and take it 25-22.
• Second set: Novara steadied in transition and found more success through the middle, edging a tight set 25-23.
• Third set: Scandicci’s block came alive, and a mid-set run created enough separation for a 25-20 finish.
• Fourth set: Novara forced a decider with improved defense and aggressive serving, taking it 25-22.
• Fifth set: Scandicci recovered from an early deficit and finished strong at 15-12, with two late blocks proving decisive.

Tactical Story

The match was shaped by serving and transition play. Scandicci’s strategy focused on targeting Novara’s outside hitters and forcing predictable attacks, which allowed the home block to set up more effectively in the third and fifth sets. Novara, meanwhile, used its setter to spread the offense and create one-on-one opportunities for the opposite hitter, particularly in the second and fourth sets.

Scandicci’s libero was central to the win, absorbing heavy serves and keeping rallies alive. The home side also benefited from timely contributions off the bench, especially in the closing stages of the deciding set when fresh legs helped sustain defensive intensity.

Standout Performers

Scandicci’s opposite hitter delivered several crucial points in the fifth set, while the team’s middle blockers combined for important blocks down the stretch. The setter managed the offense well under pressure, consistently finding the right matchup in transition. For Novara, the outside hitter carried much of the scoring load and kept the visitors in the match with sharp angle attacks and smart shot selection.

Season Impact

The 3-2 win gives Scandicci momentum in the Serie A1 Women standings and reinforces their credentials as a side capable of competing deep into the season. For Novara, the narrow loss still provides a point and plenty of encouragement, particularly from their ability to force a fifth set away from home. Both teams will now turn their attention to the next round, where consistency in serve-receive will be key.