Paris Olympics 2024 Revival: Italy Supremacy in Women's Volleyball
Paris Olympics 2024 Revival: Italy Supremacy in Women's Volleyball
If you missed out on watching women's volleyball at this year's Olympics, let me briefly recap: Italy reigned supreme. Full stop. The Italian squad showed no signs of defeat in Paris, dropping only one set throughout the entire tournament while they were unbeatable in matches.
Volleyball at the Olympics
I discovered the charm of women's volleyball a few years ago, as the father of a daughter who excelled at division I college volleyball. The game is a captivating blend of teamwork, grace, and power, with six athletes working together in a relatively compact area (approximately 59 x 29 feet). The players at the net measure up in height, with athletes ranging from 6'2" to 6'8", while the defensive specialist (libero) often stands below 6 feet tall. The pace of scoring in women's volleyball is faster than in men's, with points frequently being earned through a smooth series of bump-set-kill moves or extended volleys.
Origins
Women's volleyball made its debut as an event at the 1924 Paris Olympics, followed by its official introduction as an Olympic sport for both men and women during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
A match consists of the best of five sets, with Sets 1 through 4 ending when a team scores 25 points with a minimum of a 2-point margin. If the game reaches a fifth set, the team that scores 15 points with a minimum of a 2-point margin wins. A point is scored when the ball lands within the court boundaries or when a playing error occurs.
The Olympics commenced with 12 teams competing in pool play, advancing to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and bronze and gold-medal matches. This year, for the first time, the field was separated into three pools of four teams, in contrast to the traditional two pools of six teams.
Team USA: A Consistent Powerhouse
The United States women's volleyball team has enjoyed significant success in numerous Olympic Games over the past few decades, beginning with its silver medal win in 1984. The American team medaled in five subsequent Olympics, culminating in winning gold for the first time in Tokyo in 2020. This year, the team was comprised of veterans from the 2020 winning squad, along with plenty of talent and experience, led by 37-year-old Jam-packed three-time Olympic medalist Jordan Larson, who served as tournament MVP in Tokyo when the team claimed gold. Larson joined the national team in 2009.
And in this Corner: Team Italy
The Italian women's volleyball team entered the Olympics relatively new to the scene, making its first appearance at the 2000 Sydney Games. The Italian team finished fifth at three subsequent Olympics, hitting a slump with a ninth-place finish in Rio in 2016 and a sixth place finish in Tokyo in 2020. Prior to the Paris Olympics, the Italian women had never won an Olympic medal or even advanced to the quarterfinals. Ahead of the final, Team USA's captain, Anna Danesi, pointed out that the Americans were more accustomed to such high-pressure situations, whereas the Italians were still learning the ropes.
Record-Breaking Performance in Paris
Total Supremacy
The reigning world No. 1 team landed in Paris, and the competition did not stand a chance. After slipping up against the Dominican Republic in the first round of the tournament, Italy went on to dominate the competition, claiming every subsequent match with a 3-0 sweep. The final showdown against Team USA was billed as a face-off between the world's top-ranked teams, but it soon became apparent that Italy was in a league of its own, significantly outplaying the Americans in every aspect of the game.
During the first set, the Italians quickly established a 5-1 and 12-6 lead, prompting U.S. coach Karch Kiraly to call for two timeouts. Paola Egonu, the team's dynamic star, broke down the American defenses with 11 first-set points, leaving the opponents struggling to keep up.
By the end of Set No. 2, Italy had pulled ahead in every aspect of the game, excelling in blocking efforts with 11 blocks against none for the United States. The Italians closed the sets by winning each with spacious margins (sets 1-4): 25-18, 25-20, and 25-17, respectively.
As Jordan Thompson's hit sailed out of bounds, ending the third set, Team Italy collapsed onto the floor in a whirlwind of hugs and celebrations. Their libero, Monica de Gennaro, was hoisted aloft as the rest of the team rejoiced in their unparalleled victory.
"They are the best team in the world right now," observed Jordyn Poulter, Setter for Team USA. "I don't think there's much more we could have done."
Unstoppable MVP Paola Egonu
Towering 6'5" Opposite Hitter Paola Egonu played a pivotal role in Italy's incredible success. The 25-year-old star was selected as the tournament's MVP. During the championship match, she racked up an impressive 18 kills for the team, as well as seven blocks and a single ace. Egonu has long been a dominant force in the game, earning the nickname "Monster of the Vertical Jump" due to her uncanny ability to leap into the air with remarkable agility.
Recently, the success of the Italian women's volleyball team can be attributed in part to the growth of professional leagues in Italy. The Superlega, the country's premier professional league, has been thriving since 1946. Since the 1980s, many of the world's most talented female players have competed in Superlega, including numerous American athletes. Today, the Superlega is considered the best professional league in the world.
Prior to this point, there wasn't a professional league for ladies in the USA. If an individual desired to continue playing after college, they would head to foreign lands such as Italy, Russia, and Korea. However, those days are numbered. Introducing the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), a women's professional indoor volleyball league in the United States. This league was announced on November 17, 2022, and kickstarted its operations in 2024.
After witnessing the success of the Italian women's volleyball team, some sports analysts started discussing how the team's dominant performance could have a significant impact on the business side of the sport. For instance, more sponsorship opportunities might emerge for Italian players and teams due to their impressive performance.
Additionally, the record-breaking performance of Team Italy in the Paris Olympics has raised interest in the sport of volleyball, particularly among businesses looking to invest in sports-related ventures. With the upcoming launch of the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) in the United States, there is now a growing market for women's professional volleyball, offering profitable business opportunities.