Italian women’s national team coach Marco Bonitta officially announced on Wednesday, the 22 players for the upcoming season, particularly the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship which they will be hosting in six cities – Rome, Bari, Verona, Trieste, Modena and Milan), from September 23 to October 22.
After an eight-year hiatus from the Italian women’s national team, Bonitta was summoned to return and lead the Italian squad. Bonitta’s choice may come as a surprise, but it is clearly logical and original, combining Italy’s seasoned and up-and-coming players.
Francesca Piccinini, Antonella Del Core and Taismary Aguero lead the pack of seasoned players, together with other veteran players like Nadia Centoni, Francesca Ferretti, Valentina Fiorin, Enrica Merlo and Serena Ortolani.
Among the active batch of players are Noemi Signorile, Monica De Gennaro, Valentina Diouf, Valentina Arrighetti, Cristina Chirichella, Indre Sorokaite, Raphaele Folie, and sisters Lucia and Caterina Bossetti - all well-found to bolster Bonitta’s squad. Floriana Bertone, who saw action in last season’s World Grand Prix will also join the team.
Completing the 22-player lineup are young players - setter Ophelia Malinov, middle blocker Sara Bonifacio, gifted libero Stefania Sansonna, and promising attacker Sara Loda, who made her debut in the friendly match against Czech Republic.
