2017 FIVB VOLLEYBALL WORLD GRAND PRIX
- Group 1
- July 7th – August 6th
- FIVB World Grand Prix Round 3
- Schedule/Results
This is Italy’s 19th time competing at the FIVB World Grand Prix and has not been on the podium since 2010. They won silver medals in 2004 and 2005 then bronze from 2006-08 and in 2010. The last time they were in the Final Six was 2015 where they finished in fifth place.
The Italian team started off their World Grand Prix run less than favorably as they went 1-2 to begin on week one. Week two was another story, they competed against two of the same teams as week one, losing to both the first time around but turned around to defeat them in week two for a 3-0 record. They concluded preliminary play with a 2-1 record in week three and an overall record of 6-3.
Key Contributors
- Paola Ogechi Egonu – Egonu has been the leading force for the Italian’s in the preliminary rounds, she has caused trouble in a number of areas of play. She is the #2 scorer in the opening rounds of the competition with 149 points on 123 kills, 10 blocks and 16 aces. Egonu’s serves leave her as the most consistent in the competition with 0.48 aces per set.
- Miryam Fatime Sylla – The next best scorer for the Italian team has been Sylla as she has put down 79 points on 67 kills, eight blocks and four aces.
Italy will have to rely heavily on Egonu in the finals of the competition as she has been the main contributor in the tournament. If Egonu doesn’t show up to play, Italy will struggle against their tough competitors.
Roster
(* denotes participation on 2016 Olympic Team)
- Indre Sorokaite
- Serena Orolani*
- Sara Loda
- Sara Bonifacio
- Ofelia Malinov
- Monica De Gennaro*
- Raphaela Folie
- Alessia Orro*
- Caterina Bosetti
- Cristina Chirichella*
- Anna Danesi*
- Anastasia Guerra
- Miryam Fatime Sylla*
- Valentina Tirozzi
- Chiara De Bortoli
- Lucia Bosetti
- Valentina Diouf
- Paola Ogechi Egonu*
- Federica Stufi
- Beatrice Parrocchiale
- Carlotta Cambi
The Italians have seven members from their 2016 Rio Olympic appearance on the team for the World Grand Prix, including Paola Ogechi Egonu who has been a dominant force for the squad.
Schedule
Italy begins their finals quest with Team USA on August 3 followed by Serbia on August 4.
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