Veterans Buijs and Plak headline Dutch team for Paris 2024

Outside hitter Anne Buijs and opposite Celeste Plak will be the only Olympic veterans in the squad selected to represent the Netherlands women’s national team at the Paris 2024 Games. Head coach Felix Koslowski announced the 13 players that will compete in the French capital in a few weeks.

The 32-year-old Buijs and the 28-year-old Plak are the only players that appeared at the Rio 2016 Olympics, when the Dutch finished fourth, to continue with the national team eight years later and will have an important role leading their teammates in Paris.

Other standouts in the Dutch selection are setter Britt Bongaerts, outside hitter Nika Daalderop and middle blocker Juliet Lohuis. Outside hitter Nova Marring was chosen by Koslowski as the team’s alternate.

“Since the start of my work, we’ve been pursuing the Olympic dream with a group of 25-30 players,” Koslowski commented. “During the period, each of these players contributed to us achieving our goal. Unfortunately, we are only allowed to take 13 players to Paris and I had tough choices making this selection. But I’m confident we can get a good result with this group.”

One of the players who were left off of Koslowski’s selection, setter Laura Dijkema will be in Paris as part of his coaching staff.

The Netherlands became the sixth women’s national team to announce their squad for the Games, following Brazil, China, Japan, Poland and the United States.

Türkiye are the first opponents

Part of Pool C at the Paris Games, the Dutch will have Türkiye, Italy and the Dominican Republic as their first opponents at the South Paris Arena. Their opening match will be against the Turkish, on July 29, at 9:00 local time (7:00 GMT).

Paris 2024 – Match Schedule

The Netherlands women’s volleyball Olympic roster (subject to eligibility check to be conducted by the FIVB)

Setters: Britt Bongaerts, Sarah van Aalen
Opposites: Celeste Plak, Elles Dambrink
Outside hitters: Anne Buijs, Jolien Knollema, Marrit Jasper, Nika Daalderop
Middle blockers: Eline Timmerman, Indy Baijens, Juliet Lohuis
Libero: Florien Reesink
Alternate: Nova Marring (outside hitter)

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Olympic Games Paris 2024
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