Overview
Sara Anzanello (July 30, 1980 – October 25, 2018) was an Italian volleyball athlete who played principally as a middle hitter and blocker. Born in San Donà di Piave in the province of Venice, she made her senior debut for the Italy national team in 1998 at age 17 and accumulated 203 international appearances over the course of her career. She is widely remembered for her presence at the net and her contribution to the national squad during a decade of high-level competition.
Role and characteristics
As a middle blocker — sometimes described as a middle hitter — Anzanello’s responsibilities combined quick attacking, blocking opposing hitters and providing tactical support in both offense and defense. Typical traits for players in this position include height, timing, lateral mobility along the net, and the ability to read the setter and opposing attack. Teammates and coaches praised her timing on blocks and her ability to execute rapid central attacks.
Career and development
After rising through youth ranks, Anzanello competed at the highest levels of club volleyball as well as the international stage with Italy. She represented her country in numerous continental and global tournaments and also played professionally for club teams in domestic leagues and abroad. Over time she became one of the better-known Italian middles of her generation, earning respect for consistency and longevity.
National team impact and examples
Making a senior national debut as a teenager signaled Anzanello’s early promise. Across more than two hundred caps she took part in qualifying campaigns and major events that required sustained high performance. Her role was often decisive in key rotations, where middle-blocker contributions can change the momentum of a set through timely blocks or quick spikes.
Illness and death
In later years Anzanello was diagnosed with a blood cancer; she died on October 25, 2018, at age 38 from leukemia in Venice. Her passing prompted tributes from teammates, clubs and the broader volleyball community. Coverage of her illness and death highlighted both the human costs of serious disease and the respect she had earned as an athlete.
Legacy and notable facts
- Debuted for the Italy senior team at 17 and accrued 203 caps.
- Played the specialized and demanding middle blocker role, combining blocking and rapid central attacks.
- Remembered for leadership, professionalism and influence on younger players in Italian volleyball.
- Her career and untimely death remain points of reference in discussions about athlete health and support systems.
For more information on the sport and player profiles see a general player resource and health references related to leukemia. The Italian volleyball community continues to honor Anzanello’s memory through remembrances and the testimony of those who played with and against her.