SHENZHEN, 11 Aug.- Russia are looking both determined and capable in their pursuit of the gold medal as the men's volleyball competition of the Universiade Shenzhen 2011 begins on Friday, 12 August.
    
Roman DANILOV (RUS) and Dmitry ILINYKH (RUS) are returning to the Games with a commanding combination of experience.
    
DANILOV and ILINYKH were the top scorers as Russia powered towards gold at the men's volleyball podium in the 25th Universiade Belgrade in 2009.
    
The Czech Republic will likewise field familiar faces in the men's event. Eight players from the 2009 roster are expected to anchor the Czech team.
    
Brazil pin their hopes on a new selection of players to chase their first Universiade gold medal in men's volleyball.
    
Women's champions Italy enter the competition as favourites when their preliminaries start on Sunday, 14 August.
    
Italy will be playing without their top scorers in the Belgrade 2009 lineup.
    
Head coach Carlo PARISI (ITA) will rely instead on the leadership of two players: setter Marta BECHIS - a member of the current Italian national squad - and middle blocker Federica STUFI (ITA), a Universiade returnee and a member of previous national selections.
    
Brazil will rely heavily on Fernanda ALVES, Michelle PAVAO, Natasha FARINEA and Regiane BIDIAS. Head coach Helio GRINER (BRA) formulated the lineup by enlisting key athletes who helped win the women's volleyball title at the 2011 World Military Games in Rio de Janeiro.
    
Both Canadian teams may provide added spark to the volleyball arena with star performers Shanice MARCELLE and Graham VIGRASS returning to the competition.
    
Host country China will rely on volleyball standouts from Fudan University to spearhead better standings in both events.
    
The men's preliminaries start with 21 teams in a single round robin. The top two teams in each of the four pools will advance to the quarterfinal round on Friday, 19 August.
    
The men's semifinals start Saturday, 20 August with medal matches scheduled on Monday, August 22.
    
In the women's event, a total of 15 teams will vie for the top two spots in each pool to progress to the quarterfinals on Thursday, 18 August.
    
The women's semifinal round start on Friday, 19 August and the finals, Sunday, 21 August.
    
UNS mlp/dk