Italy shuts out Netherlands to sweep VNL Prelims unbeaten

Italy topped the final Preliminary Phase table in the women’s Volleyball Nations League undefeated, on a 12-0 win-loss record and 33 points after shutting out hosts Netherlands in their last match in Apeldoorn on Sunday. The Dutch are now in 10^th place in the current VNL standings on 5-7 and 15.

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Inspired by the home crowd, the Netherlands played as equals to the defending VNL title holders and reigning Olympic champions, especially for the most part of the first and the second sets, but Italy did not allow any surprises and took the match in straight sets, 3-0 (25-23, 28-26, 25-18).

22-year-old Ekaterina Antropova powered the winners with an impressive match high of 25 points, spiking 20 at a 59% success rate, raising three kill blocks and firing two aces. Her 22-year-old counterpart Elles Dambrink was the Netherlands’ most prolific scorer with 16 points. Italy’s middle blocker Sarah Fahr dipped into the double digits with another 10 points, also including three blocks and two aces.

“It was amazing! I think the team played amazingly,” Italy’s outside hitter Myriam Sylla told VBTV. “The fans’ support for the home team was amazing too, so congratulations to them! Our coach teaches us that every day is important, every moment is important, and every player – old or new one – too. So that’s what we are showing, I hope. For me, you are never perfect in something and you can grow every time, everywhere and in every aspect, so we just have to keep thinking like that…”

Next in Apeldoorn is the match between Serbia and Turkiye, serving off at 21:00 local time (19:00 UTC). Meanwhile, the day over in Arlington has just started with Germany taking on Dominican Republic. Then the much anticipated match between Thailand and Canada, which will decide whether Korea or Thailand will be relegated, will get underway in Arlington at 15:00 local time (20:00 UTC).

Volleyball Nations League 2025: full schedule and results

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