After a near 2 year absence with the national team, Valentine Diouf is back on Italy’s preliminary roster for the European Champs next month.
DIOUF LOST HER THUNDER
When Diouf first entered the national team about 4 years ago, she was dubbed the FUTURE of Italian volleyball but that is NO longer the case. The 18 year old PAOLA EGONU now owns that spotlight.
THE BIG QUESTION IS
Is Diouf READY or even OK with being the back-up opposite hitter to the great Paola Egonu? We shall wait and see.
After a successful FIVB Grand Prix campaign with Italy winning the silver medal, Coach Davide Mazzanti has kept the same roster but added a few players including the 24 year old Diouf.
Preliminary Roster:
SETTERS:
Ofelia Malinov
Alessia Orro
MIDDLE BLOCKERS:
Sara Bonifacio
Cristina Chirichella
Anna Danesi
Raphaela Folie
OUTSIDE HITTERS:
Caterina Bosetti
Lucia Bosetti
Sara Loda,
Miriam Sylla
Anastasia Guerra
Valentina Tirozzi
OPPOSITE HITTERS:
Paola Egonu
Indre Sorokaite
Valentina Diouf
LIBEROS:
Monica De Gennaro
Beatrice Parrocchiale
The 2017 Euro Volley will be from September 22nd – October 1st and co-hosted by Azerbaijan/Georgia. The last time Italy won this continental tourney was in 2009 and that was also the last time Italy won a European Championship medal.
2016 Olympic silver medalists Serbia and The Netherlands are the top favorites to win the tourney. With Italy’s brilliant performance at the FIVB Grand Prix, it looks like they can the dark horse of the tournament.
Russia are the 2 time defending champions.