Bulgarian national player Mikaela Stoyanova was the top scorer for Macerata in their away match against Italian champions Conegliano in a seventh-round Serie A1 encounter. The Bulgarian's team lost 0:3 (20:25, 22:25, 21:25) but put up serious resistance against one of the strongest teams in world women's volleyball.
In front of 4993 spectators at the "Palaverde" hall in Villorba, the hosts achieved their seventh consecutive victory since the start of the championship, but Macerata managed to challenge them in all three sets.
Mikaela Stoyanova finished with 14 points, scoring 12 successful attacks from 28 attempts, which means a 43% success rate in attack. The Bulgarian also added 2 aces, making her the top scorer for the visiting team.
Stoyanova started as a starter in all three sets, facing one of the strongest blocks in the Italian championship. Five of the Bulgarian's attacks were stopped by Conegliano's block, which affected her overall attacking efficiency.

Macerata started the match bravely, taking an 8:5 lead in the first set, and later had a 16:14 advantage. However, Conegliano turned the tide and closed the set at 25:20.
In the second set, the hosts gradually asserted their dominance, although their opponents remained close in the score until the final rallies. Conegliano won 25:22, and the third set was also closely contested before the champions sealed the final 25:21.
Conegliano's huge superiority in blocking proved decisive - 13 points against only 4 for Macerata.The hosts also made 47 successful attacks with a 44% success rate, while the visitors finished with 38 points from attack and a 33% success rate.
For Macerata, Nicole Piomboni was second in scoring with 12 points, and Alessia Mazzon added 7.
In the Conegliano squad, Anna Piovesan was the top scorer with 17 points and was also chosen as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match. Chinese star Zhu Ting scored 13 points, and Linda Manfredini contributed 10, including an impressive 5 successful blocks.
Mikaela Stoyanova and Macerata's next challenge is on November 11, when the team hosts Talmassons in an eighth-round match of the Italian Serie A1.

photos:legavolleyfemminile.it