Italy’s 2012 Roster

Yay! Francesca Piccinini is back!

After a successful 2011 World Cup campaign which they won, we thought Coach Barbolini would maintain the same roster but apparently NOT!

Noticeably missing on his list are setter Francesca Ferretti, middle blocker Martina Guiggi and  2 of the world’s best liberos Giulia Leonardi and Enrica Merlo. Rumors say Coach Barbolini is not in good terms with all of them (ie Ferretti) except with Guiggi who got injured during the Final Round of the recently concluded Italian League.

Without further ado, here’s Italy’s 2012 Roster:

Setters : Letizia Camera , Eleonora Lo Bianco , Giulia Rondon, Noemi Signorile

Opposite Hitters : Valentina Diouf , Serena Ortolani , Valentina Zago

Outside Hitterss : Cristina Barcellini, Caterina Bosetti , Lucia Bosetti , Carolina Costagrande , Antonella Del Core , Alessia Gennari , Gilda Lombardo, Francesca Piccinini

Middle Blockers: Sara Anzanello, Valentina Arrighetti , Jenny Barazza , Raphaela Folie, Simona Gioli , Martina Guiggi , Giulia Pisani .

Liberos : Paola Cardullo , Paola Croce , Monica De Gennaro , Immacolata Sirressi

In all fairness to Italy, the current roster has 3 of the world’s best outside hitters namely 2011 FIVB World Cup MVP Carolina Costagrande, the underrated yet very smart hitter Del Core and of course Piccinini who had a tough season last year due to thyroid issues. Take note, this is the roster Barbolini will use for upcoming friendly tournaments and the 2012 Grand Prix. It’s also pretty much the same roster he’d use for the Olympics but he can only take 12 players and not 14.

Anyways, we wish Italy the best this season.

We also hope to see them medal at the 2012 Olympics for the FIRST TIME!

THOUGHTS?

THOUGHTS?

THOUGHTS?

(roster source: federvolley.it)