With 12 blocks, the world champions secured their fourth-straight victory in the VNL 2023
Italy have definitely found their rhythm in the Volleyball Nations League 2023 as the reigning world champions secured their fourth-straight victory in the tournament on Thursday in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Playing with authority, the Europeans dominated China to a 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 26-24) victory that placed them in fifth place (four wins, 12 points) in the standings and one step closer to securing a spot in the 2023 VNL Finals.
- Watch Volleyball Nations League 2023 live on VBTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8ItTV4dn8k
Italy started the VNL 2023 with defeats to Argentina and the United States, in Ottawa, Canada, but haven’t lost again after that, getting victories against Cuba and Germany in Canada and starting their campaign in Pool 3, in Rotterdam, with triumphs against Iran and China – they lost just two sets in the last four matches.
Opposite Yuri Romanò, one of five world champions who were with the team in the opening week of the VNL in Ottawa, was the top scorer in the match against the Chinese, producing 12 points, with eight kills and four blocks.
“We are happy about the volleyball we played today and also about the win,” Romanò commented. “It’s an important result for us. We know we still need to improve and we’re trying to do that in every match. We are a young team and we know we have to work hard every day and keep improving.”
Daniele Lavia and Simone Anzani also made strong contributions to the Italian victory, adding 11 points each. The outside hitter tallied nine kills and two blocks while the middle blocker registered eight kills and three blocks.
China had in outside hitter Dejun Zhai their most productive player. The 23-year-old player got 12 points in the match, all in kills.
Italy dominated China in every skill, but their advantage in blocks (12 to three) was probably the most impressive one. The Europeans also had the edge in kills (36 to 35), aces (four to one) and opponent errors (24 to 17).
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation