Volleyball…Beijing 2008

The Swatch awards have been given for this years tour.

2007 SWATCH-FIVB World Tour champions Larissa Franca (left) and Juliana Felisberta Silva (right) with SWATCH’s Nadia Waelti

Lausanne, Switzerland, November 8, 2007 - Led by Brazilians Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa Franca and reigning Olympic and world champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the United States, the top women’s players on the 2007 SWATCH-FIVB World Tour were announced here Thursday based on the results of the voting by SWATCH representatives, players, coaches, referees and officials associated with the international Beach Volleyball circuit.

 

For the third-straight season, Juliana and Larissa were honored as the top team on the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour as the young Brazilians captured five gold medals in 13 international Beach Volleyball starts in 2007 with $328,400 in earnings, the third-highest annual total in the 16-year history of women’s circuit.

 

In addition, the 25-year old Larissa was named the top setter on the SWATCH circuit for the second-straight season while finishing second to Walsh who is the FIVB’s top hitter in 2007.  The SWATCH most outstanding player in 2006, Larissa also placed third in the voting as the top defensive player and sportswoman while receiving votes as most inspirational and top offensive player.

 

With May-Treanor and Walsh sharing the award as the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour’s top offensive player in 2007, the 24-year old Juliana finished third in the balloting after topping the list in 2006.  Juliana also received votes in the sportswoman, blocking and hitting balloting.

 

The 29-year old Walsh was honored as the 2007 women’s SWATCH most outstanding player as selected by representatives from SWATCH and the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB).  The SWATCH and FIVB panel also selected Ana Paula Connelly as the SWATCH top server for the 2007 season.

 

Ana Paula claimed the SWATCH serving award for the fifth-straight season with her top serve being 83.6 km/h with 114 centre court serves over 70.0 km/h.  The 35-year old Brazilian was third in the best offensive category, top hitter, and sportswoman voting.  Ana Paula’s name was also on ballots for best blocker and setter. more FIVB

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