Team USA imposed its will from start to finish, turning back Italy in a surprising sweep, 27–25, 25–20, 25–16, on the third and penultimate day of Week 2 of the 2026 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
The Americans set the tone early in the third and final set but had to withstand a determined Italian fightback, which trimmed the deficit to two, 18–16, after a middle kill from Sarah Fahr.
USA, however, responded with a decisive 7–0 run, with Stephanie Samedy leading the charge before Simone Wank closed out the match in just one hour and 14 minutes.
The win also came on World Volleyball Day, a fitting backdrop as the result went in favor of the sport’s country of origin, where it began as mintonette.
The 27-year-old Samedy provided steady production for the Americans, especially during stretches when Italy threatened to shift momentum.
Ironically, Samedy, who plays in Italy’s Serie A1 for Imoco Volley Conegliano, finished with 12 points, all coming from attacks.
Madi Banks also showcased USA’s depth, stepping into the starting role and delivering 11 points on 10 attacks and one block.
“We’re just really locked in to our game plan. We really focused on what we can control on our side. Obviously, Italy’s a great team, so, yeah, we just had to do it,” said the 25-year-old outside hitter.
The first two sets were tightly contested, as expected between two elite sides, but the Americans played with greater efficiency down the stretch to take a 2–0 lead.
Italy stayed within striking distance behind Fahr, Oghosasere Omoruyi, and Merit Adigwe, but late errors in the opening set and USA’s finishing surge in the second proved costly.
Samedy, Banks, and company eventually secured the provisional top spot with a 6–1 record.
“I think that consistent pressure — just being persistent with our service pressure, defending, and converting — was what worked for us,” Banks added.
The USA will face Serbia on Sunday at 12 noon in a bid to complete a sweep of its Pool 5 assignments.
Adigwe finished with eight attacks and four blocks for 13 points, while Fahr and Omoruyi added eight points each.
The reigning champions, Italy, slipped to a 5–2 record and will next face Japan later that Sunday at 8 p.m.
