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The Italian women’s national volleyball team made a powerful statement in Hong Kong, securing a crucial 3-1 victory over Ukraine in the final week of the Volleyball Nations League 2026 Preliminary Phase. This win marked the highly anticipated return of several star players to the VNL court.
Italy’s Star Power Returns to VNL Action
Fans were thrilled to see Olympic and world champions Alessia Orro, Myriam Sylla, Sarah Fahr, Anna Danesi, and Paola Egonu don the Italian jersey for the first time this VNL season. Their presence immediately injected experience and firepower into a squad that had featured younger talent in the opening weeks.
The match saw Italy take the first set convincingly, 25-15. Ukraine, however, showed resilience by fighting back to claim the second set, momentarily disrupting Italy’s rhythm. Nevertheless, the returning stars quickly reasserted their dominance.
Dominant Performance Secures Key Points
Italy responded emphatically, overwhelming Ukraine with scores of 25-10 in the third set and closing out the match with a 25-21 win in the fourth. The final scoreline of 3-1 underscored Italy’s superior depth and experience.
Leading the charge for Italy was Ekaterina Antropova, who delivered an outstanding performance with 25 points. Her offensive prowess was evident with 19 kills, complemented by four aces and two crucial blocks. Sarah Fahr also made a significant impact, contributing 14 points, while Myriam Sylla added 12 points to the Italian tally.
VNL Standings Implications
This victory significantly bolsters Italy’s position in the VNL standings. They now boast seven wins from nine matches, accumulating 21 points. This puts them in strong contention with leaders United States and Brazil, both currently on 23 points with eight wins each. The race for the VNL Finals is heating up, and Italy’s strong finish is a clear signal of their championship aspirations.
For Ukraine, the match proved challenging. They remain in 15th place in the rankings, with two wins and six points. Captain Svitlana Dorsman fought hard, scoring 12 points, and Anna Artyshuk added 11 points for Ukraine.
Around the VNL
Elsewhere in the VNL, Canada boosted their own Finals hopes with a dramatic five-set victory over China. Brazil continued their strong showing by defeating hosts Japan in Osaka, while the United States swept Thailand. Türkiye also secured a valuable win, moving past Poland in a four-set contest.
Source: World of Volley
