Polish women's volleyball faces player refusals to national team

Coach Stefano Lavarini announced that several members of the Poland women's national volleyball team declined his invitation to the training camp ahead of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League. The players named were Julia Nowicka, Olivia Różański, Weronika Centka‑Tietianiec, Joanna Lelonkiewicz and Dominika Pierzchała.

Former international Jakub Bednaruk wrote in a Polsatu Sport column that the sport is in a mental crisis, saying “you don’t play for the coach, you play for the colors and for every fan.” Team manager Szymon Szlendak said he was “in shock” by the refusals. Former captain Joanna Wołosz criticised the decision, emphasizing respect for the national jersey: “You play for the colors and for the fans.”

The team finished eighth in its Nations League group, losing the decisive match to Japan.