Conegliano win curtain-raiser of FIVB Women's Club World Championship

SHAOXING, China - Imoco Volley Conegliano of Italy outpowered Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul of Turkey 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21) in the curtain-raiser of the FIVB Women's Club World Championship here on Tuesday.

During the battle that lasted for two hours and two minutes, opposite spiker Paola Ogechi Egonu of Italy scored a match-high 29 points for Conegliano, with wing spikers Miryam Fatime Sylla and Kimberly Hill contributing 14 and 13 points respectively.

Conegliano, the debutants in the championship, is the three-time Italian national champions in 2016, 2018 and 2019. They finished runners-up in the European Champions League this year losing the final to fellow rivals Igor Gorgonzola Novara, the other debutantes in the tournament.

Captain Kim Yeon-koung scored a team-high 17 points, wing spiker Natalia Pereira added 15 points, and opposite spiker Tijana Boskovic made 14 points for Eczacibasi who are making their fifth appearance at the championship and seeking for their third title after a repeat of success in 2015 and 2016.

Later in the afternoon, VakifBank Istanbul of Turkey had a straight-set victory over Dentil Praia Clube of Brazil 27-25, 25-20, 25-20.

Opposite spiker Isabelle Haak contributed 22 points, with wing spiker Gabriela Braga Guimaraes adding 12 for Vakifbank. Although wing spiker Brayelin Elizabeth Martinez also made 22 for the Brazilian side, opposite spiker Nicole Fawcett was the second best scorer of eight points for Dentil Praia.

The defending champions VakifBank are going for their fourth world title this year after back-to-back successes in 2017 and 2018, plus their first title dated back to 2013. During their previous six appearances, they also boast a silver in their debut in 2011 and a bronze in 2016.

For Dentil Praia, the Brazilians are only making their second appearance after finishing fourth in their debut last year. Founded in 2008, the multi-sport club won its only national volleyball superleague title in 2018.

Later in the evening, Guangdong Evergrande of China faces Itambe Minas of Brazil, while Tianjin Bohai Bank of China plays Igor Gorgonzola Novara of Italy.