By The International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB) -

Maria Elisa Antonelli, winner of last year’s FIVB Kristiansand, Seoul and Shanghai Opens and the Gstaad Grand Slam with partner Talita, has proven she will be a true force to be reckoned with for the upcoming season after winning the Queen of Brazilian Beach Volleyball at the Ipanema Beach, in Rio de Janeiro.

The 25-year-old and her chosen partner Vivian beat Larissa and her elected team mate Leão 2-1 (26-28, 27-25, 15-10) in the final of the two-day individual competition.

By The International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB) -

Italian men's volleyball coach Andrea Anastasi has said he is looking forward to "coming home" to Catania when the FIVB 2010 Men's World Championship start in October.

Catania will be a host city during the second round of the 2010 Men's World Championship and speaking during a presentation on Catania's preparations for the competition, Anastasi said he was glad it is being held in Sicily.

"To come to Sicily, for me, is like coming home. I always feel particularly emotional here, as Sicily is where I began my career," he said. "I am proud and happy to play here, but obviously we need to get through the first round, which I'm hoping we will."

By The Australian Volleyball Association -

The newly formed Australian Team of Becchara Palmer and Louise Bawden were recognised in the FIVB 2009 Annual awards with an individual award to Louise Bawden who tied for the rookie-of-the-year honour on the 2009 FIVB World Tour.

Bawden and Angie Akers (USA) tied for the rookie-of-the-year honor on the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Tour.  Both playing in their first-full international season, Bawden and Akers collected silver medals this season.  Bawden and Becchara Palmer placed second in Poland where the Aussies dropped the Stare Jablonki finale to Juliana and Larissa.

By Universal Sports - After the disappointment of missing the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games due to a knee injury, Juliana Silva of Brazil completed her successful return to the international beach volleyball scene by being honored as most outstanding women's player on the 2009 FIVB World Tour.

The results of the voting for the top competitors on the 2009 FIVB World Tour by representatives, players, coaches, referees and officials on the international beach volleyball circuit were announced here Saturday. Juliana and her partner Larissa Franca were the top 2009 honorees as the pair captured their fourth "tour" team championship in the last five seasons.

In addition to being the MOP on the FIVB World Tour after being recognized as the top competitor at four events in Brazil, Russia, The Netherlands and Spain, Juliana was also named the FIVB's top blocker. Juliana, the FIVB's top hitter in 2006, was also third in the voting for top offensive player and best hitter in 2009.