Paola Egonu has another reason to celebrate at the end of this year. On Tuesday, the Italian opposite hitter was announced as the best female volleyball player of 2024 in the ranking compiled by the Volleyball World Social Media team.

Wearing the "Azzurre" jersey, she was a key figure in winning the historic Olympic gold medal in Paris, weeks after also winning the Nations League (VNL) - the first competition with Julio Velasco at the helm. The arrival of the experienced coach was crucial for Egonu's return, who had previously requested to leave the national team due to relationship issues with Davide Mazzanti.

Egonu's selection makes Italy the absolute leader in the top 10 with its four representatives. The others are libero Monica De Gennaro, outside hitter Myriam Sylla, and setter Alessia Orro.

Gabi is the Brazilian representative in the ranking, taking second place.
See the top 10, which also includes two Poles, one American, one Japanese, and one Turk:

1. Paola Egonu (Italy)

2. Gabi (Brazil)

3. Kathryn Plummer (USA)

4. Melissa Vargas (Turkey)

5. Joanna Wołosz (Poland)

6. Monica De Gennaro (Italy)

7. Myriam Sylla (Italy)

8. Sarina Koga (Japan)

9. Alessia Orro (Italy)

10. Agnieszka Kąkolewska-Korneluk (Poland)