VNL 2021

VNL opportunity for Sylvia Nwakalor to shine

The 21-year-old opposite looks forward to a bright future with a dream of one day playing at the Olympics

Published 06:52, 20 Jun 2021

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Sylvia Nwakalor shines at the 2021 VNL as she tries to make her dream come true of one day playing at the Olympic Games.

Sylvia Nwakalor has been on Italy's national team for three years, but the 2021 FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League has given the latest rising star of the country the opportunity to shine.

Italy fielded a side of young and promising players at this year's VNL, but they have already established themselves well amongst the world elite - and the contribution of the 21-year-old has been remarkable, bringing in the points as her team's overall top scorer and standing out as one of the most efficient attackers at the VNL overall.

Nwakalor has been working hard and long at reaching this stage of her career - early as it may be.

"I started sport when I was six and actually my parents decided it for me and they chose volleyball," she says. "I was a very active child and I had to do sport, so I didn't decide about taking up volleyball, though it was me deciding to continue - when I was 12 years old. I discovered that I jump high, so maybe it's the right sport for me."

The 2021 VNL has been a huge opportunity for Nwakalor to come up close and face some of the greatest players in world volleyball.

"I don't have one single idol," she says. "But I try to catch good things from many players, so when I see something that I like in one player, I try to immediately follow it."

This competition in Rimini has been a huge boost for the young Italian, but she has even higher goals for herself in the future.

"It's an honour to play in the national team and I'm very happy and grateful for this and every time when I am on the court, I try to do my best for the side."

"My biggest dream is to compete at the Olympic Games," she adds. "I have to work hard for that, but it's my dream."

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Sylvia Nwakalor has been leading Italy at the 2021 VNL - consistently one of the most efficient attackers of the competition.

But Sylvia is not the only volleyball star in the family. Her younger sister Linda, 19, is also an aspiring talent.

"I am her number one fan and she is my biggest fan," says Sylvia of her sister. "Actually we don't talk a lot about volleyball, but I'm very happy that she also plays at a high level and maybe some day in the future we will play together in the national team."