Paola Cardullo "la Piccola" may just be
162cm tall, but in her role as Italian team libero she
is the exception to the rule that superb volleyball
players must be tall.
Born in Omegna in 1982, the 21-year-old already has a
rich career behind her. She stated to play mini-volley
when just 11 years old.
She played her first season with Omegna in the 1997/98
season in the B1 league and from then on, the only way
was up. She fast became a favorite with the fans, who
christened her "Pally" and in the season
1999-2000 she was part of the team that took the
silver medal at the European Junior Championship. She
was drafted into the national squad in December 2000
and in June of the following year, played with Italy
at the Volley Masters in Montreux, Switzerland. In
this same year, Paola was part of the Italian squad
that won the European championship silver medal in
Bulgaria.
By the time the Italian team was ready to compete in
the 2002 World Championship in Germany, the mini-power
pack from the Italian "Blues" had become the
benchmark of the team's defense. She played a vital
part in the team's victory to take the World title
from the USA.
Cadullo, who confesses to a weakness for pizzas, was
also honored by the European Volleyball Confederation
(CEV) as the Best Women Volleyball Player on the
occasion of their 30th Anniversary, held in Milan
earlier in 2003.
CEV Photo: Cadullo with the
Best Women Volleyball Player prize
