VNL 2022

Wolosz to lead Poland’s VNL squad

Coach Lavarini announces players for Volleyball Nations League

Published 03:38, 05 May 2022

Prominent playmaker Joanna Wolosz highlights the list of 25 players set to represent Poland at the upcoming Volleyball Nations League 2022. Star middle blocker Agnieszka Kakolewska is another important returnee to the squad, which was announced on Wednesday by new head coach Stefano Lavarini. It is a key season for Poland this year as they will also co-host the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship from September 23 to October 15 alongside the Netherlands.

Eight of the 14 players who contributed to Poland’s fifth place at the 2021 CEV European Championship are named on Lavarini’s squad, including Katarzyna Wenerska, Klaudia Alagierska, Magdalena Stysiak, Maria Stenzel, Martyna Czyrnianska, Martyna Lukasik, Monika Fedusio and Zuzanna Gorecka.

Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano’s 32-year-old setter Joanna Wolosz is back on the squad after last playing for the national team at the CEV European Olympic Qualification tournament in January 2020, when she made the Dream Team of the tournament.

27-year-old star middle Agnieszka Kakolewska returns to the squad after playing in the 2021 VNL, but missing EuroVolley. In fact, as many as 13 of the 18 athletes on previous coach Jacek Nawrocki’s roster for last year’s VNL are back for more this year.

Agnieszka Kakolewska

25-year-old point machine Malwina Smarzek and experienced 32-year-old middle blocker Zuzanna Efimienko-Mlotkowska are probably the most important absences from Lavarini’s picks.

Poland’s VNL campaign will begin on June 1 in USA’s Shreveport-Bossier City and will go through the Philippines’ Quezon City and the Bulgarian capital Sofia.

Poland women’s national team roster:

Setters: Alicja Grabka, Joanna Wolosz, Katarzyna Wenerska, Martyna Lazowska

Opposites: Karolina Druzkowska, Magdalena Stysiak, Weronika Sobiczewska

Outside hitters: Julita Piasecka, Martyna Czyrnianska, Martyna Lukasik, Monika Fedusio, Olivia Rozanski, Paulina Damaske, Weronika Szlagowska, Zuzanna Gorecka

Middle blockers: Agnieszka Kakolewska, Aleksandra Gryka, Anna Stencel, Iga Wasilewska, Kamila Witkowska, Klaudia Alagierska, Magdalena Jurczyk

Liberos: Aleksandra Szczygowska, Justyna Lysiak, Maria Stenzel