Sept. 7, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M volleyball team takes a break from its regular season schedule to host the Italian National A2 Team Tuesday at Reed Arena. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
The Aggies are 4-1 on the season after dropping a 3-1 decision at Saint Mary's on Friday and then sweeping San Francisco on Sunday. The match against the Italians is considered an exhibition match and will not count toward the team record.
The Italian team is a mixture of players from Italy's Youth and Junior National Teams along with some players from the Senior National Team. Ages range from 16 to 24.
Italy opened its USA seven-match tour at the New Mexico State Tournament this past weekend in Las Cruces. In their first match, the travel-weary Italians fell to Florida State, 25-16, 25-23, 26-24. They also dropped a match against Illinois before picking up their first victory with a 23-25, 18-25, 27-25, 25-19, 15-10 win against New Mexico State Sunday in Las Cruces. Outside hitter Monica Ravetta led Italy with 17 kills and NMSU, and Valentina Biccheri and Silvia Segalina added 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Biccheri and Anna Caneva had five blocks apiece as Italy outblocked NMSU, 13-8
"This match is a great opportunity for us to play against top-level competition with an international flair," A&M coach Laurie Corbelli said. "Their team consists of some of the best players in Italy, so it will be a great match-up for us and an exciting display of high level volleyball."
Italy will have an obvious height advantage, as five of the players on the 12-member roster are listed 6-3 or taller, including 6-6 outside hitter Floriana Bertone.
"They are a very tall team and they resemble many of the top-level Big 12 teams," Corbelli said, "so this is a great opportunity to play an extra match that will give us a chance to work our lineup, work some of our new plays and go at a really large international style of block - big and physical. "
A&M's Reed Arena is one of only four stops the Italians will make during their U.S. tour. Italy will play a pair of matches at Texas on Sept. 11 and 12 and then conclude its trip with a match at Wichita State on Sept. 15.
"They are only playing select teams in the United States, and we are privileged to be one of those teams," Corbelli said. "We got a chance to play members of this team last summer on our trip to Europe, and we feel fortunate that we get to battle with them again, because both of those matches were 3-hour long battles and ended in a split.
"This match will be exciting and entertaining for the fans, and we are hoping for a great crowd to show the Italians the support that Aggie volleyball has in the community."
A&M closes out its non-conference regular season this weekend at the Texas State CenturyTel Premier, Friday and Saturday in San Marcos. The Aggies take on Hofstra and Texas Southern Friday at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, at Strahan Coliseum. A&M concludes the tournament against the host Bobcats Saturday at 2 p.m.