Seeing the Italian Women’s Volleyball team win the gold medal at the Paris Summer Olympics 2024 was beautiful. Rising very early in the morning was well worth watching the game live. That game prompted a flood of memories going back nearly 35 years when I was thrown into the role of sports radio commentator for a sport, volleyball, I had no idea about! The memories are worth sharing because they are an off-the-wall snapshot in time.
In the late 1980s, my career in broadcasting was in full swing, having taken a deciding turn towards sports. I went from being a sound engineer for the regional soccer team to covering international women’s tennis at home and away. I had the opportunity, and great fun, to meet and interview the likes of Gabriela Sabatini and Arantxa Sanchez (Grand Slam winners and Olympians), the inimitable Steffi Graf (her tennis record is astounding), and a very young Monica Seles, among many, many others.
One Thursday afternoon in 1989, I was asked whether I could take over as the last-minute commentator for the regional women’s volleyball team’s upcoming away match that Saturday evening. I experienced both panic and excitement in the same instant. I needed more volleyball knowledge and knew little about the home team. Despite that, I agreed. A run to the local library followed, where I acquired a “volleyball for dummies” book and read the whole thing twice over in as many days. “How hard can it be?” I asked myself. Oh, but it was.
I met with the team on their bus early Saturday morning. I never felt shorter in my life! Though of entirely average height, I felt minuscule. From 5’8” to 6’4”, these women towered over me. Once introductions were made, I did not hesitate to let them know that I did not feel I could do the team justice that day – my knowledge was on par with my height. The outburst of amused laughter and appreciation for my honesty resulted in a 5-hour accelerated course in everything volleyball.
Each setter, middle blocker, outside and opposite hitter, libero, and serving specialist took turns teaching me the essentials and giving me some background on their roles and strategies. Cristina Saporiti, Barbara Valsesia, and Guendalina Buffon (the eldest sister of the great soccer goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon) were most patient and thorough in that teaching role. They continued to test me with trick questions for the whole trip. I still laugh today: we had such fun. Well, mostly.
Once we arrived at the sports hall, I felt confident that I could attempt to cover the game without making too much of a fool of myself. Despite jitters and misgivings, lack of sleep, and an appropriate amount of coffee, I managed the radio commentary to everyone’s satisfaction. That began a three-year permanent assignment as sports commentator for the team’s games. It was a great time of fun, learning, and camaraderie from the outside looking in. It’s a fantastic memory.
Some of the players from that period became Olympians, such as libero Annamaria Solazzi, who switched to beach volleyball; setter Carmen Pimentel, who still coaches today; opposite Cenaida Uribe, now a politician; and middle blocker Gabriela Perez del Solar (inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2010, and now a politician in her home country of Peru). Setter Maurizia Cacciatori is a sports commentator for the Italian TV channel Sky Sport.
Back to the current Italian Women’s Volleyball Team. Their first-ever final at the Olympics saw them win in straight sets over the United States (defending gold medalists) and take home the gold. Italy’s previous Olympic best was fifth place. Under the coaching of Julio Velasco, setter Alessia Orro, opposite hitter Myriam Sylla, captain and middle blocker Anna Danesi, and opposite Paola Egonu (great player and human rights activist) – to mention a few standouts, Women’s Italian Volleyball succeeded where the Italian Men’s Volleyball Team never has: a gold medal at the Olympics. It is an exceptional feat by exceptional women – a long time coming.
Side note: these players were all born well after my last sports volleyball coverage broadcast aired 35 years ago; this year’s Olympics brought back great memories and an exciting time of hope and success for this and the next generation of women’s volleyball players, wherever they are. Spike on!