Antropova on fire with 25 points
Triumphant Italy in Apeldoorn
Italy finished the Volleyball Nations League Preliminary Phase at the top of the standings with a perfect 12-0 record and 33 points. They secured this dominant finish by defeating the host nation, Netherlands, 3-0 in Apeldoorn on Sunday. Netherlands finished the phase in 10th place with a 5-7 record and 15 points.
Despite facing a spirited Netherlands side, buoyed by their home crowd and competitive in the first two sets, Italy maintained control and secured the win in straight sets: 25-23, 28-26, 25-18.
Ekaterina Antropova, 22, was the standout player for Italy, scoring a match-high 25 points. Her performance included 20 successful attacks (59% efficiency), three kill blocks, and two aces. Elles Dambrink, also 22, led the scoring for the Netherlands with 16 points. Italy`s middle blocker Sarah Fahr also reached double digits with 10 points, featuring three blocks and two aces.
It was amazing! I think the team played amazingly. 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…
Other matches concluding the preliminary phase included Serbia vs. Turkiye in Apeldoorn later that day. In Arlington, Germany played Dominican Republic, followed by a crucial match between Thailand and Canada that would determine whether Korea or Thailand would be relegated.
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick