Lube Civitanova defeated Padua 3:0 (25:21, 25:15, 25:21) in their first home game of the season in the Italian SuperLega. After the clean sweep in Verona, the Nikolov brothers and their teammates have six points and a set difference of 6:0.
Aleksandar and Simeon started as starters in all three sets. The hosts took the first set, and in the second, they imposed categorical superiority, leaving their opponent at 15 points.
Padua, however, put Lube under pressure in the third set and took the lead in its final phase. Giampaolo Medei's team turned the tide and prevented the match from being extended.
Simeon Nikolov created the first match point with an ace. The visitors managed to save it, but on the next attack, the Bulgarian setter looked to the center for Czech international Antonin Klimeš, who scored the final point for 25:21.

The success also brought a personal achievement for Alex. Nikolov was the top scorer in the match with 13 points — 10 from attack, two aces, and one block. Thus, he increased his tally with the Lube team to 2036 points and surpassed Tsvetan Sokolov by 10 points for seventh place in the club's all-time ranking. Simeon Nikolov added 7 points — four aces, two successful attacks, and one block. Giovanni Gargiulo and Eric Loeppky finished with 10 points each, while for Padua, Mattia Orioli scored 11.Lube:35 successful attacks, 11 aces, and 6 blocks — a total of 52 direct points.Padua:26 successful attacks, 7 aces, and 4 blocks — a total of 37 direct points.

Before the first serve, Alex Nikolov received two awards from the Italian league for his performance during the 2025/26 regular season. Lube President Simona Sileoni presented the Bulgarian international with awards for top scorer and most successful attacks — recognition he shared with the fans at the first home game of the new season.

photos:legavolley.it