Italian head coach Julio Velasco has officially named setter Carlotta Cambi as team captain for the opening weeks of the Volleyball Nations League, leading a heavily restructured roster ahead of the squad's departure for Brasília.
With several established Olympic veterans rested following the conclusion of the club season, Velasco chose to field a younger selection to initiate the tournament. 
The appointment places Cambi, an Olympic gold medallist who orchestrates the offense for Italian powerhouse Igor Gorgonzola Novara, as the primary leadership figure on the floor. 
Far from lacking elite pedigree, Cambi brings massive domestic and European experience to this developmental group, having spent years competing at the absolute pinnacle of Italy's Serie A Top 4 and in the prestigious CEV Champions League.
Her proven ability to feed elite world-class attackers—most notably delivering tactical "caviars" to Russian powerhouse Tatiana Tolok in club play—makes her the ideal anchor to stabilize Velasco's transitional squad. 
Her role focuses on balancing the offense and guiding the younger, less experienced hitters through intense international competition.
The tactical setup puts Cambi at the center of this opening phase in Brazil, acting as the main point of tactical reference and veteran leadership for the national team.
Photos: Lega Femminile Serie A