Bulgarian international Kalina Veneva scored 7 points for Millenium Brescia in their dramatic 2:3 (25:21, 21:25, 17:25, 25:17, 8:15) home loss to Bergamo in a match from the seventh round of the Italian Women's Serie A1.
The young Bulgarian outside hitter started the match on the bench but got an opportunity to play in the third set when she replaced Rachele Nardelli. Veneva remained in the starting lineup for the next two sets and actively participated in the hosts' attempt to win the Lombardy derby.
The Bulgarian finished with 7 points – 6 from attack and one ace. She converted 6 of 14 attacks for a 43% success rate, committing one error and having one of her attacks blocked. In reception, she handled 8 balls with 38% positive and 25% excellent reception, making two direct errors.
Brescia started better and won the first set 25:21, but Bergamo turned the tide of the match after 25:21 and 25:17 in the next two sets.
In the fourth set, the hosts found the strength for another comeback. With Veneva in the lineup, Millenium showed significantly better play and equalized after a convincing 25:17.
In the decisive tie-break, however, Bergamo started strong and took a 5:1 lead, after which they did not relinquish the initiative and closed the match 15:8.
The most effective player for Brescia was Andrea Mihalevic with 19 points, followed by Andjelka Novosel with 16 and Rachele Nardelli with 9.
For the winners, Kendall Kipp scored 23 points and was chosen as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Elena Pietrini added 21 points, including 5 successful blocks, and Lena Stigrot finished with 14.
Bergamo had a minimal advantage in attack with 64 against 60 points scored, as well as in blocks with 12:10 and in serves with 6:5 aces.
Before 1600 spectators in the "PalaGeorge" hall in Montichiari, the two teams played for 118 minutes, and the hosts earned a valuable point despite the defeat.
In the next round on November 11, Kalina Veneva and her teammates will visit Vero Volley Milano, led by former Bulgaria coach Gianlorenzo Blengini.
photo:legavolleyfemminile.it
