Rome, Dec. 31 (LaPresse) – It is the consecration of a magical year for Italian volleyball. Monica De Gennaro, a key performer for the national team in 2025, contributing to Italy’s triumph at the World Championship and in the Nations League, has been named by Volleyball World, a portal linked to the FIVB (the International Volleyball Federation), as the best female volleyball player in the world for 2025. She was placed at the top of the ranking by the social media team of the outlet, created some time ago through a partnership between FIVB and CVC Capital Partners. Awarded as best libero at the World Championship, the 39-year-old Conegliano player succeeds Paola Egonu, who took the honor in 2024. Six Italian players feature in the top ten, confirming the strength of Julio Velasco’s national team, which captured the world title the year after its Olympic triumph at the Paris Games. Behind De Gennaro is Brazilian outside hitter Gabi, with setter Alessia Orro in third place. Also making the Top 10 are opposites Ekaterina Antropova (sixth) and Paola Egonu (eighth), middle blocker Anna Danesi (the national team captain, ninth) and outside hitter Myriam Sylla (tenth).