Twenty-eight players will make up the initial roster for the Italian women’s national team, head coach Davide Mazzanti announced Tuesday.
The 28 will be split into two groups initially, with one competing at the Volleyball Nation’s League beginning in May and the other playing in the Mediterranean Games in June. The roster will then be whittled down to 18 for the World Championships in Japan this fall.
“The main selection criterion was the athlete’s performance during the club season,” Mazzanti said. “Although the list also includes girls with little international experience, I wanted to reward them for the development they made throughout the year.
“In addition to the level of play and quality, I always demanded for the competitiveness of the athlete especially in gearing up for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The higher the level of competition and the quality of the game they play, the better.”
Three of the players were on the Italian team that finished fourth at the 2014 World Championships: middle blocker Cristina Chirichella, libero Monica De Gennaro and middle blocker Raphaela Folie.
DeGennaro, who was named best libero at both the 2017 Champions League and at FIVB World Grand Prix events, is a two-time Olympian, having competing in both 2012 and 2016. DeGennaro competed in the Champions League with her Imoco Volley Conegliano squad, earning a silver medal.
Chirichella also was a member of the 2016 Olympic team, which was ousted in group play.
Ten players are returning members of the team which represented Italy at the 2017 European Championships, earning fifth place: Sara Bonifacio, Lucia Bosetti, Carlotta Cambi, Anna Danesi, Paola Egonu, Alessia Orro, Beatrice Parrocchiale alongside Chirichella, DeGennaro and Folie.
Notably missing from the squad is outside hitter Caterina Bosetti, a 2012 Olympian, who is out with an injury.
The Volleyball Nation’s League will take place from May 15 to July 1 in 21 cities around the world, with the finals being held in Nanjing, China. The Nation’s League replaces the World Grand Prix competition. Italy is one of the 12 core teams in the 16-team field, and is part of Pool 3 alongside the United States, Poland and Turkey. Matches for Pool 3 will be contested in Lincoln, Nebraska, May 15-17.
The Mediterranean Games will be contested from June 22 to July 1 in Tarragona, Spain, and pit athletes from 26 countries in 33 sports.
Last week, the Italian federation also announced the friendlies slate for both its men’s and women’s national teams.
Italian women’s national team roster (2018)
1. Beatrice Berti
2. Sara Bonifacio
3. Lucia Bosetti
4. Alexandra Botezat
5. Carlotta Cambi
6. Cristina Chirichella
7. Anna Danesi
8. Alice Degradi
9. Chiara De Bortoli
10. Monica De Gennaro
11. Isabella Di Iulio
12. Paola Egonu
13. Sara Fahr
14. Raphaela Folie
15. Alessia Gennari
16. Anastasia Guerra
17. Marina Lubian
18. Ofelia Malinov
19. Camilla Mingardi
20. Anna Nicoletti
21. Silvia Nwakalor
22. Rossella Olivotto
23. Alessia Orro
24. Serena Ortolani
25. Beatrice Parrocchiale
26. Elena Pietrini
27. Myriam Sylla
28. Ilaria Spirito
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