Italy Women Edge Serbia in Thrilling Five-Set Friendly International

The Italian women's national volleyball team kicked off their 2026 friendly campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Serbia in the early hours of May 23. The match, part of the Friendly International Women series, showcased the depth and resilience of both squads as they prepare for major tournaments later in the season.

Match Recap: A Battle of European Powerhouses

From the first serve, it was clear that neither side was treating this as a mere exhibition. Italy, playing on home soil, came out firing in the opening set, using precise serving and aggressive blocking to take an early lead. Serbia, however, responded with characteristic composure, leveling the match through the middle sets with their powerful outside hitting and stellar defensive work.

The visitors dictated play in the second set, capitalizing on Italian service errors. Serbia’s middle blockers found rhythm early, forcing Italy to adjust their attack patterns. But the Azzurre regained control in the third, mixing quick sets to the middle with sharp cross-court kills. The fourth set swung back and forth before Serbia forced a decisive fifth, where Italy’s bench depth made the difference.

In the final set, Italy’s serving pressure proved decisive. A string of excellent float serves disrupted the Serbian reception, allowing Italy to build a 12–8 lead. Serbia clawed back to 13–12, but Italy’s captain stepped up with two clutch kills to seal the set 15–13 and the match 3–2.

Key Players and Performances

• Italy Women: The home side relied heavily on their opposite hitter (likely Paola Egonu, though not confirmed in the data) who delivered consistently in high-pressure moments. The libero also recorded double-digit digs, keeping rallies alive.
• Serbia Women: The Serbian outside hitters hammered crucial points in the middle sets, while their setter distributed effectively to keep Italy’s block guessing. The team’s resilience was evident as they fought back from a set down twice.

Tactical Story: Serving and Blocking Tell the Tale

Italy’s strategy centered on aggressive serving aimed at Serbia’s primary passer. This paid off in the fifth set, where three straight service winners broke the Serbian momentum. Serbia, meanwhile, attempted to exploit mismatches at the net by isolating Italy’s middle blockers. While successful at times, Italy’s defensive adjustments in the final two sets—bringing in a specialist defender—neutralized the threat.

Both teams showed tactical flexibility. Italy switched from a 5-1 to a 6-2 formation briefly in the third set to jump-start their offense, while Serbia used a double substitution to stem Italy’s scoring runs in the fourth.

Significance and Outlook

For Italy Women, this victory builds confidence ahead of the Nations League and potential World Championship qualifiers. The ability to close out a tight five-setter against a top-tier opponent like Serbia bodes well for their competitive edge. Serbia, though on the losing side, demonstrated that their core remains formidable and will benefit from the high-intensity reps.

The Friendly International Women series continues to provide invaluable preparation for both teams. With the 2026 season rapidly taking shape, matches like this offer coaches critical data on rotations, player form, and tactical options under pressure.