First and foremost, Brazil’s Lucarelli and Iran’s Ebadipour are both deserving to win the Best Outside Hitter awards. However, I strongly feel that Italian player Filippo Lanza deserves one. With Lucarelli also winning the MVP Award, I wish they have given his Best Outside Hitter award to Lanza.
Based on stats, Lipo should’ve been on that All Star Team podium:
3rd Best Scorer
6th Best Spiker
6th Best Digger
9th Best Receiver
20th Best Server
20th Best Blocker
Lucarelli’s stats:
3rd Best Spiker
7th Best Digger
8th Best Scorer
8th Best Server
25th Best Blocker
N/A Best Receiver
Ebadipour’s stats:
4th Best Receiver
5th Best Server
7th Best Scorer
9th Best Spiker
24th Best Digger
27th Best Blocker
I am not quite sure on the criteria used to determine the All Star Team but I just feel that Lanza was robbed of an award.
Throughout the tournament, Lanza was consistent, the team’s go-to player and provided the leadership in the absence of Italy’s 2 biggest stars, Zaytsev and Juantorena.
Lipo, you are my Best Outside Hitter!!!