Argentina select young roster for Tokyo Olympics

Argentina women’s national team head coach Hernan Ferraro has decided to field a young roster at the Tokyo Olympics as the country’s 12-player squad features only three players who are 30 or older.

Ferraro announced the Argentinean roster this weekend and team captain and middle blocker Julieta Lazcano (30), outside hitter Yas Nizetich (31) and libero Tatiana Rizzo (34) are the three veterans on the list.

They are also the only players with Olympic experience as they were part of the Argentinean roster during the Rio 2016 Games, when the South Americans made their first appearance at the event and finished ninth.

Ferraro has not been able to select opposite Lucia Fresco for some time, due to injury. And he did select another Olympian who was training with the team, middle blocker Emilce ‘Mimi’ Sosa, who recently returned to the courts.

The Argentinean national team has been training for nearly three months in Buenos Aires and will travel to Croatia next weekend for the next stage of their Olympic preparation. The Argentineans will play friendly matches against the local national team before heading to Japan for the Games.

Argentina are in Pool B at the Olympics and will play the United States, Russia, Italy, Turkey and China in their first matches in Tokyo.

Argentina’s Olympic Roster

• Setters – Vicky Mayer, Sabrina Germanier
• Opposites – Erika Mercado, Eugenia Nosach
• Outside Hitters – Yas Nizetich, Daniela Bulaich, Elina Rodriguez, Antonela Fortuna
• Middle Blockers – Julieta Lazacano, Bianca Farriol, Candelaria Herrera
• Libero – Tatiana Rizzo