Novaraplayerscheerafterwinning

One of the seven Italian women's league Serie A1 matches that will be streamed live on Volleyball World TV this weekend will see Igor Gorgonzola Novara host the same franchise that beat them in the final of their play-offs run in 2015.

Before Imoco Volley Conegliano’s dominance in the last three seasons of the Italian league, Novara and VBC Heavy Transport Casalmaggiore were both among the teams topping the podium.

Casalmaggiore won in 2015 when they finished ahead of Novara, and Novara claimed the title in 2017 with a victory over Modena.

Both Novara and Casalmaggiore are looking for their second win in this season's championship. With a reinforced line-up this season featuring the energetic Turkish opposite Ebrar Karakurt and Tokyo 2020 medallists Micha Hancock, Haleigh Washington and Rosamaria Montibeller, Novara seems to have an advantage in the match-up. However, the addition of Azerbaijani super scorer Polina Rahimova will help Yana Scherban in leading the offence for Casalmaggiore.

Watch all Italian Women's Serie A1 matches live on Volleyball World TV

Round 2 begins on Saturday when Savino Del Bene Scandicci take on Volley Bergamo 1991 at 20.30 local time / 18.30 GMT. The six remaining matches will be played on Sunday.

Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri will hope to post another victory this season when they visit Vero Volley Monza. Monza, who are led by Serbians Katarina Lazovic and Brankica Mihajlovic, are seeking to bounce back from their 3-1 loss to Busto Arsizio last weekend.

Two clubs hoping to avoid back-to-back losses, Savino Del Bene Scandicci and Volleyball Bergamo 1991 will play each other on Scandicci’s home court. Bosca S.Bernardo Cuneo will take on Delta Despar Trentino at the Pala Trento.

Bartoccini-Fortinfissi Perugia and Il Bisonte Firenze are also set to play for their first wins, and winning sides Acqua & Sapone Roma Volley Club and defending champions Imoco Volley Conegliano will go head-to-head to seize their second victories this season.

Paola Egonu again leads the way for the Conegliano squad against the newly promoted Rome-based club.

Finally, Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio will attempt to extend their winning streak with the help of their main playmaker Jordyn Poulter when they face a Tatiana Kosheleva led Megabox Vallefoglia.