After taking a season off, the experienced outside hitter will be back with the team as they attempt to qualify for Paris 2024
Published 04:57, 07 Apr 2024
Buijs' experience will be invaluable for the Dutch at they attempt to qualify for Paris 2024
The Netherlands’ push to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics during this year’s Volleyball Nations League received a major boost this weekend, when star outside hitter Anne Buijs announced her return to the country’s national team this summer.
The 32-year-old Buijs, who captained the ‘Volleyball Dames’ for a number of years in the past, stepped away from the international game last season, when she decided to take a break from the national team competition.
After enjoying last summer, she feels ready to return this season and is among the 30 players announced by head coach Felix Koslowski to form the Dutch squad in 2024.
“I was a bit tired of volleyball and those three months were extremely valuable,” Buijs, who’s currently in action in the semifinals of the Italian League with Igor Gorgonzola Novara, said of her return. “I followed the national team last year and only heard positive things. Qualifying for the Olympics will be a wonderful challenge for us. Competing in the Games would be a dream come true.”
The Dutch are looking to return to the Olympics for the fourth time, after finishing sixth in Barcelona 1992, fifth in Atlanta 1996 and fourth at Rio 2016. They couldn’t secure one of the six berths in play at last year’s Volleyball Olympic Qualifiers, but are in a solid spot to booked their tickets to Paris during the VNL 2024.
Currently in tenth place in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Rankings, the Dutch are the fourth-best-ranked national team among the ones still trying to qualify and will need to defend their spot during the VNL to guarantee their place at the Olympics.
“We’ll do our best to qualify,” Buijs reflected. “We’ve played Olympic Qualifiers in the past and we need to face this as a month-long Olympic Qualifier. Teams will have different approaches to the tournament, so we’ll need to focus entirely on our side of the court.”
The Best of Anne Buijs at the 2022 World ChampsSee you at the #ClubWorldChamps Anne Buijs! The Dutch outside hitter and Brazilian club team Dentil/Praia Clube will face 5 of the world's best club teams in Antalya 🇹🇷 from December 14-18. ➡️ Full schedule: https://bit.ly/3gVILkO 📺 Matches will be LIVE ON VBTV 🏐 #Volleyball
Posted by Volleyball World on Wednesday, November 30, 2022
With 321 matches played for the Dutch national team, Buijs will be one of the most experienced players in the squad this season. Besides that, she also hopes to contribute with her versatility.
“We have a considerable number of good options at outside hitter,” she noticed. “I hope that my experience can be valuable for the team and can provide us with better balance. I’ve played opposite with my club teams during the last two seasons, so that could be an option too. It’s up to the head coach.”
The Netherlands women’s national team full roster (subject to eligibility check to be conducted by the FIVB):
Setters: Sarah van Aalen, Britt Bongaerts, Laura Dijkema, Sanne Konijnenberg, Hyke Lyklema
Opposites: Celeste Plak, Nicole van de Vosse, Elles Dambrink, Iris Scholten
Оutside hitters: Fleur Savelkoel, Hester Jasper, Jolien Knollema, Susan Schut, Anne Buijs, Iris Vos, Marrit Jasper, Nika Daalderop, Jet Kok, Nova Marring
Middle blockers: Juliët Lohuis, Indy Baijens, Britte Stuut, Eline Timmerman, Suus Gerritsen, Laura Overwater, Marije ten Brinke
Liberos: Kirsten Knip, Pippa Molenaar, Romy Brokking, Florien Reesink
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