Foreign signings heat up ahead of EWVL

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 22: As the second season of the Everest Women's Volleyball League (EWVL) approaches, franchise teams are ramping up their recruitment of foreign players to strengthen their squads.

Defending champions Karnali Yashvis announced their first international signing on Thursday: Brazilian setter Ana Flávia will join the team for the upcoming EWVL.

Ana began her professional career in Brazil and has since played in Spain, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Switzerland. She was named Best Setter during her time in Slovakia and Spain, according to a press release issued by Karnali Yashvis.

The club has also retained head coach Kumar Rai and marquee player Sumitra Regmi for this season.

Meanwhile, Madhesh United is reinforcing its line-up with three Dutch players. Following the signing of Romee Veenstra, the club has added Danique Aardema as its second foreign recruit. Both Aardema and Veenstra currently play for CRAFT Sudosa Assen D1.

Setter Aardema brings experience from top clubs in the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany.

CRAFT Sudosa confirmed via social media that Kirsten Wessels has also signed with Madhesh United, completing the trio of Dutch players. The club believes their presence will bring a distinctive Dutch flair to the EWVL.

According to the Netherlands Volleyball Association (Nevobo), the connection with Madhesh United was no coincidence. "Kopila Upreti, head coach of Madhesh United, successfully completed the Volleyball Trainer 3 course in the Netherlands in 2024, an initiative by Nevobo. She had previously visited the Netherlands in 2022 and became acquainted with Sudosa. Upreti is the first female head coach at this level in Nepal."

The three players told Nevobo: "It’s an adventure that suits us as a team. We’re grabbing this opportunity with both hands. It’s special to play volleyball in a completely different setting and to contribute to the sport there."

Likewise, Lumbini Lavas, the news team of the EWVL, said the club will organise trophy tour and talent hunt in Bhairahawa on August 25. The Lumbini has announced that they will be adding Russian player as the foreign players. National volleyball team captain Aruna Shahi is the marquee of the club. They have already bought domesticks players Kamana Bista, Alisa Manandhar, Shaktikala Tamang, Anusha Chaudhary, Roma Mahato, Jenisa Bishwakarma and Rikjana Majhi from the auction.