Bulgarian receiver Kalina Veneva recorded 5 points, including one ace, in Brescia's 1:3 (25:20, 20:25, 22:25, 17:25) defeat to Velefolia in a match from the third round of the Italian Serie A1. The match was played in Montichiari in front of 1200 spectators.
Brescia's opponent is the winner of the Challenge Cup. Velefolia won the first European trophy in its history in March, when the squad also included Bulgarian opposite Mikaela Stoyanova, who now plays for Macerata.
17-year-old Veneva started as a starter in reception alongside Rachele Nardelli. In the first set, the two helped the hosts equalize for 7:7, after which Brescia gradually took the initiative and led after 25:20.
Veneva was replaced by Andjelka Novosel at 16:17 in the second set. The Bulgarian returned to the starting lineup for the fourth and with an ace restored the tie at 9:9. After that, however, the guests pulled away and did not allow the match to reach a tie-break.
Brescia won its first set after returning to the elite, but remained without points after three played matches. The hosts were competitive in the first three parts, equalizing at 18:18 in the third, before Velefolia imposed its will in the final rallies. In the fourth set, Andrea Pistola's team pulled away from 9:9 to 15:10 and completed the comeback.
For Brescia, the most effective scorer was Andrea Mihalevic with 12 points, followed by Nardelli with 11. Erblira Bici led Velefolia with 20 points, Elizaveta Kochurina added 16 and was chosen as the most valuable player, and Ali Frantti finished with 14.
Velefolia recorded a third consecutive victory - the best start in its history in Serie A1. Veneva and Brescia's next match is on October 21 against Il Bisonte (Florence).