Russia’s new head coach Vadim Pankov has recruited a new breed of players to play in the upcoming Volleyball Nations League with the exclusion of several veterans like Goncharova, Kosheleva, Scherban and his daughter setter Pankova.
It’s been a very long season for Goncharova and she has been playing nonstop so she deserves a rest. A for Kosheleva, she had knee surgery and currently recovering. Both Goncha and Koshe are expected to rejoin the squad for the upcoming World Championship in September.
As for Scherban, no information why she is not on the VNL roster. Rumor says Coach Pankov is not big a fan of her so we may not see the 2016 Olympian anytime soon.
As for his daughter Pankova, he reportedly thinks there are better setters out there. “Coach Pankov believes that you have to earn your spot and he remains very professional with his choices regardless if you’re his daughter or not.” says a source.
Russia’s 21 player roster for the VNL:
Setters:
Elena Novik
Tatyana Romanova
Darya Ryseva
Opposite Hitters:
Anna Kotikova
Natalya Malykh
Darya Malygina
Middle Blockers:
Yuliya Brovkina
Ekaterina Efimova
Angelina Lazarenko
Ekaterina Lyubuskhina
Anastasiya Samoylenko
Irina Fetisova
Outside Hitters:
Olga Biryukova
Irina Voronkova
Yuliya Kutyukova
Kseniya Parubets
Tatyana Yurinskaya
Liberos:
Alla Galkina
Viktoriya Gorbacheva
Kristina Kurnosova
Darya Talysehva
One player to watch out for from this list is Anna Kotikova, the best opposite at the 2017 FIVB U20 Women’s World Championship. The 19 year old recently said in an FIVB article that joining the team is good for her and the rest of the young players to gain international experience.
“There are a lot of young players in the team. Probably, the focus is on gradually rejuvenating the team. But still there are a lot of experienced girls in the team, so for young volleyball players to work with such players will be a very valuable experience. After all, these are very high-level players. They help us actively, help in everything. This is a great chance for the young players to show themselves.”
It’s also great to see Natalia Malykh back on the team together with middle blockers Ekaterina Lyubuskhina and Irina Fetisova.
In case you’re wondering whatever happened to libero Anna Malova, she became a mother last month and no word yet if she plans to compete at the World Champs.
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