The wait is over. Tonight, the 2025/2026 Lega Serie A Tigotà Women’s Volleyball season serves its first ball, and all eyes are once again on Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano, the reigning champions and perennial powerhouse of Italian volleyball.
After clinching last season’s Scudetto with a blend of ruthless efficiency and dazzling flair, Imoco returns to the court with a familiar mission: defend their crown and extend their dynasty. Their campaign begins this evening against Eurotek Laica Uyba, a team eager to test the champions early.
Imoco Conegliano: The Standard-Bearers
Led by Swedish scoring machine Isabelle Haak, Brazilian dynamo Gabi, and the ever-reliable Polish setter Joanna Wolosz, Imoco boasts a roster that blends international star power with domestic depth. Their preseason form was solid, finishing third in the Courmayeur Cup after a commanding win over Milano, with Haak dropping 21 points in the bronze match.
Coach Daniele Santarelli enters his ninth season at the helm, once again orchestrating a team that thrives on tempo, precision, and relentless pressure. With a core that knows how to win—and win big—Imoco remains the benchmark.
The Challengers
Igor Gorgonzola Novara:
Fresh off a Courmayeur Cup triumph, Novara looks sharper than ever. Setter Cambi and Japanese sensation Mayu Ishikawa have injected pace and unpredictability into their attack. Their opening clash against Omag-Mt San Giovanni will be a litmus test for their title ambitions.
Savino Del Bene Scandicci:
Scandicci narrowly missed preseason silverware, falling to Novara in the Courmayeur final. With Ekaterina Antropova anchoring the offense and a deep bench ready to rotate, they’re built for both domestic and international glory—especially with the Club World Championship looming in December.
Vero Volley Milano:
With Paola Egonu back in form and even despite losing both Alessia Orro and Myriam Sylla, Milano remains the league’s most volatile threat. Their semifinal loss to Scandicci in Courmayeur showed flashes of brilliance, but consistency will be key. They open tonight against Bergamo.
This season promises more than just a title race. With the Supercoppa Italiana on October 18 and the Coppa Italia finals in January, teams must balance ambition with endurance. The top eight will battle in the playoffs, while the bottom two face relegation.
For Imoco, the challenge is clear: stay ahead of a chasing pack that’s faster, deeper, and hungrier than ever. But if history is any guide, the queens of Conegliano won’t surrender their throne easily.
Photos: Lega Serie A
