MASNAGA, Italy (Interstat) — Masnaga will look to solidify its hold atop the Italy A2 women’s standings when it hosts Valdarno on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in a rematch of a high-scoring affair from late March.

Masnaga (23-5 across all competitions) enters the contest on a six-game winning streak, including a 95-74 loss at Valdarno on March 28 that was the team’s most recent defeat. The home side rebounded with a pair of playoff-style victories against Jolly Livorno: an 89-87 win on April 25 followed by an 81-74 road triumph on April 30. Power forward Marta Moscarella has been the catalyst, averaging 18.5 points and 16.3 rebounds over her last four games. She posted a 23-point, 15-rebound double-double in an 89-81 win over Basket Alcamo on April 15 and followed with 12 points and 15 boards in a 65-57 victory at Alcamo four days later.

Valdarno (20-9) counters with a balanced attack led by forward Evelyn Ovner. The 6-foot-2 standout has scored in double figures in three of her last five outings, highlighted by a 12-point, eight-rebound, three-assist effort in a 69-64 win at Matelica on May 2. She also contributed eight points and seven rebounds in a 54-51 victory at Matelica on April 25. Valdarno has won four of its last five, with the lone loss a 65-58 decision at Ragusa on April 15.

Saturday’s matchup is the third meeting between the clubs this season. Masnaga won 74-66 at home on Dec. 13, 2025, before Valdarno answered with a 95-74 rout in Tuscany on March 28. The teams are scheduled to meet again Wednesday, May 13, at Valdarno.

Masnaga has relied on a deep rotation. Guard Nancy NGuessan scored 20 points in the April 30 win at Livorno, while forward Patricia Brossmann added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Valdarno’s supporting cast includes forward Noemi Celani, who had eight points and 10 rebounds against Matelica, and guard Flavia De Cassan, who played all 40 minutes in that game.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. local time at the PalaMasnaga. Masnaga’s league-best record makes it the favorite, but Valdarno’s ability to score (Interstat) — it averaged 74 points over its last five games (Interstat) — could test a Masnaga defense that allowed 87 points to Jolly Livorno on April 25. The winner gains crucial momentum heading into final stretch of the regular season.