17722vt028

Italian opposite Paola Egonu added another well-deserved individual award to her ever-growing collection of athletic honours. After leading her team to a historic Volleyball Nations League title, the 23-year-old star was named Most Valuable Player of the VNL 2022 Finals. The seven players of a symbolic VNL Dream Team were also honoured during the Awarding Ceremony after the final match on Sunday in Ankara.

Best Setter: Alessia Orro (Italy)

Best Opposite: Paola Egonu (Italy)

Best Outside Hitters: Caterina Bosetti (Italy) and Gabriela Guimaraes (Brazil)

Best Middle Blockers: Jovana Stevanovic (Serbia) and (Brazil)

Best Libero: Monica De Gennaro (Italy)

Egonu was by far the best scorer of the Finals with a total of 83 points over the three matches played, 30 clear on top of the ranking. Her tally included 72 spikes, six blocks and five aces. She was the leading point-maker in each of Italy’s three games at the Finals in Ankara, contributing 36 points to the quarterfinal win over China, 26 to the semifinal victory over Türkiye and 21 to the triumph over Brazil in the final. The 1.93m-tall opposite also topped the best attackers chart with a 47.06% success rate.

“I am super happy and proud of us, because it’s the first time winning the VNL. Now we can finally go on vacation! As I always say, I can get a player award, but what’s more important is that I am happy we work together as a team. I am proud to have been chosen to wear an equality jersey and represent something this important! I hope we can continue with that...” Paola Egonu, opposite of Italy, VNL 2022 gold medallist and MVP

· Watch all VNL 2022 matches on demand on Volleyball TV.