Paola Ogechi Egonu of Italy, named the Most Valuable Player of the women's VNL Finals, poses during the awarding ceremony after the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
ANKARA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Italian star opposite Paola Egonu was named the Most Valuable Player of the women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2022 Finals after leading her team to win their first VNL title by sweeping Brazil 3-0 in the final here on Sunday.
Egonu was the best scorer of the Finals with a total of 83 points over the three matches played, 30 clear at the top of the rankings. Her tally included 72 spikes, six blocks and five aces.
She was the leading point-maker in each of Italy's three games at the Finals in Ankara, contributing 36 points to the quarterfinal win over China, 26 to the semifinal victory over Türkiye and 21 to the triumph over Brazil in the final. The 1.93-meter-tall opposite also topped the best attackers chart with a 47.06% success rate.
"I am super happy and proud of us, because it's the first time winning the VNL. Now we can finally go on vacation! I can get a player award, but what's more important is that I am happy we work together as a team," said the 23-year-old star.
The seven players of the VNL Dream Team were honored as well during the awarding ceremony after the final match:
Best Setter: Alessia Orro (Italy)
Best Opposite: Paola Egonu (Italy)
Best Outside Hitters: Caterina Bosetti (Italy) and Gabriela Guimaraes (Brazil)
Best Middle Blockers: Jovana Stevanovic (Serbia) and Ana Carolina Da Silva (Brazil)
Best Libero: Monica De Gennaro (Italy)
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Paola Ogechi Egonu of Italy celebrates scoring during the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
