At just 15 years old, Micol Lafuenti, daughter of Italian beach volleyball legend Lucilla Perrotta, has made her indelible mark on the FIVB Beach Volleyball Under 18 World Championship in Doha. This debut is more than just a tournament; it`s a profound statement on legacy, talent, and the promising future of Italian beach volleyball.
The roar from the stands was unmistakable. “Forza!…Dai!…Ce la puoi fare!…Non mollare!” These fervent Italian exhortations belonged to Lucilla Perrotta, a name etched into the annals of beach volleyball history. From the sidelines of the Al Gharafa courts in Doha, the former Italian international, a veteran of two Olympic Games and five World Championships, was not merely a spectator. She was a mother, a mentor, and arguably, the loudest supporter for her daughter, Micol Lafuenti, who was making her U18 World Championship debut.
A Champion in the Stands: Lucilla Perrotta’s New Role
Lucilla Perrotta`s career spanned 14 illustrious years, adorned with six European Championship medals, including a gold in 2002. Her experience on the sand is immense, making her current vantage point a unique, if somewhat challenging, one. “It’s really tough to cheer from outside the court…I prefer to be inside the court,” a beaming Perrotta admitted. One can almost detect a sliver of playful exasperation in her tone – the ultimate competitor now forced to wield only verbal encouragement, a task she playfully implies is harder than executing a perfect spike or block.
This sentiment, while tinged with humor, underscores the profound pride she feels. “I am really happy for my daughter. I know what it means to play in such a high-level competition. It’s an emotion that she will carry with her all her life.” It’s a testament to the enduring power of sport and family, transcending the competitive arena itself.
Micol Lafuenti: Stepping into Giant Footprints
At an age when many are still navigating high school hallways, Micol Lafuenti, a budding outside hitter from Green Volley in Italy, is competing on the world stage. Her presence at the U18 World Championship, playing alongside her new partner Sofia Bruzzone, is a significant milestone. The legacy she carries is not merely genetic; it`s a palpable presence, a shadow and a light. Lucilla Perrotta retired in 2008, a year before Micol was born, yet her influence has been ever-present.
“She has always been there from the beginning and she is definitely a big influence in my career,” Micol stated. “She was my coach when I started out at 13 years and is always present during my games. I didn’t see her play but she had such a good career and I can only hope that I reach her level.” This humble ambition, spoken by a fifteen-year-old, highlights the immense standard set by her mother.
Doha Debut: Building Chemistry on the Fly
The Italian pair, Lafuenti and Bruzzone, demonstrated considerable potential in Doha. They topped Pool D with a 3-1 win-loss record, then dispatched Venezuela in straight sets during the Round of 16. Their journey concluded in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Belgium’s Lente Thant & Simone Vervloet, who eventually secured the bronze medal.
Despite not reaching the podium, Micol’s outlook remains optimistic, a reflection of a young athlete wise beyond her years. “This is the first tournament that we are playing together as we both played with different partners at the European Championship. We showed good organization on the court and created some chemistry between us so we are happy with our performance. We managed to reach the quarterfinals after training together for only one month, hopefully we can do better in future competitions,” Micol articulated, recognizing the value of nascent partnerships and rapid development.
Lucilla Perrotta actively engages in post-match analysis with her daughter: “We speak a lot about what happened during her games…the technique, the mental aspect. I am really happy to experience this with her and guide her through it.” This ongoing dialogue between an experienced professional and an eager student is invaluable, providing both technical insights and crucial mental fortitude.
The Future of Italian Beach Volleyball: A New Wave
Head coach Paolo Goria, who also guided the Italian boys` team to a bronze medal in Doha, shares the enthusiasm for this new generation. Italy, a powerhouse in indoor volleyball, has historically sought to replicate that dominance on the sand. Goria believes this cohort could be the catalyst for that ambition.
“We are so happy with the girls, the whole federation is happy. They played so well throughout the tournament and we are excited about the future. We have started recruiting young players into the beach volleyball programme and this is the first generation. We hope that they will become the next big beach volleyball players,” Goria affirmed. Lucilla Perrotta, now a beach volleyball coach herself in Rome, wholeheartedly concurs, emphasizing the diligent efforts of coaches to cultivate young talent.
Micol Lafuenti’s journey is just beginning, yet it is already infused with the rich heritage of Italian beach volleyball. With the guidance of an Olympian mother, the support of a burgeoning national program, and her own undeniable talent, the sands of time appear poised to witness a new era of Italian dominance, perhaps even surpassing the glories of the past. The legacy of Lucilla Perrotta is not just living on; it’s evolving, adapting, and inspiring a compelling future on the global beach volleyball stage.
