VolleyBar9# : Thursday May 28, 2026

In the penultimate weekly episode of VolleyBar, we are in Italy, where Modena Volley, after officially announcing the arrival of new head coach Lorenzo Tubertini and the confirmation of Luke Perry, have also confirmed young middle blocker Pardo Mati for the 2026/27 season.
Meanwhile, Cisterna Volley have said goodbye to Tommaso Guzzo, while Vero Volley Monza have signed libero Nicola Pesaresi, who spent last season in Trento.
During his SuperLega career, he has worn the jerseys of several clubs, including Verona, Civitanova, and Milano, while his personal achievements also include a gold medal at the 2013 Mediterranean Games with the Italian national team.

Speaking about his decision to join Monza, he explained: “The desire to continue playing at the highest level led me to accept Vero Volley’s offer.
I’m happy and excited about the upcoming season: I’ll try to give my very best both on and off the court,” also highlighting the importance of daily work and team balance: “We more experienced players will have to be a point of reference for the younger ones. The goal is to be competitive, with dedication and good team chemistry,” added.

In Perugia, on the other hand, no one will ever wear the number 13 jersey again, as the Italian champions have retired the shirt of legendary libero Massimo Colaci, who ended his extraordinary career by winning his second consecutive Champions League title!

Moving to France, after a season wearing the Parisian club’s colors, young Serbian outside hitter Vuk Kulpinac is leaving the team.
At just 18 years old, he recorded 232 points, including 13 aces, a 44% positive reception rate, and 20 blocks.
There are also departures for French champions Montpellier, who are parting ways with middle blocker Nikolay Kartev, and Tours, who said goodbye to Niko Suihkonen, author of 262 points in 2025/26 season including 14 aces and 26 blocks. And 26-years-old U.S. outside hitter Kaleb Jenness remains in Saint Nazaire also next season.

In Poland, after setter Željko Ćorić, Plusliga side Norwid Częstochowa, relegated but again in Plusliga next season, welcomed opposite Pablo Kukartsev, last season vice-Italian champion with Cucine Lube Civitanova.

German volleyball legend Georg Grozer has joined Saudi club Al-Ittihad after a season in China and a title-winning spell with Jakarta LavAni Livin’ Transmedia, whom he led to the 2026 Indonesian Proliga crown!

On the international stage, Cuba enters VNL 2026 with one of the best outside hitter trios in the competition: Miguel López, Marlon Yant, and Julio Cárdenas, while Canada announced list for 2026 season.

Tokyo police arrested Shunichiro Sato, a member of Japan’s national volleyball team on Thursday on suspicion of cannabis possession in violation of the narcotics control law, as investigative sources said.

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