VolleyBar17# : Tuesday June 9, 2026

If you wish to publish an Italian translation of this article, any of our other articles, or any part of them, please cite the original source. Plagiarism is illegal!

France: Australian international William D’Arcy, a 2.08 m opposite, arrives in Cannes from UC Irvine, one of the most prestigious programs in the American collegiate championship. At just 23 years old, he has already earned several caps with the Australian national team!
Meanwhile, French outside hitter Tom Lavigne, 24, joins Plessis-Robinson for the 2026/27 season. A player for Tourcoing since 2022, he won the French Cup in 2025.

___________________

In Italy, Massimiliano Ortenzi will remain at the helm of Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina for a 19th consecutive season, alongside assistant coaches Mattia Minnoni and Roberto Romiti. The decision reaffirms the club’s commitment to its sporting project with complete confidence, despite relegation from the SuperLega after two seasons.
After a difficult campaign, in fact, the club has chosen to move forward with the coach who guided it from Serie C all the way to the SuperLega.

“We weren’t geniuses after securing survival, and we haven’t become failures after relegation. We are people working together to build something,” he said in an official statement from the club.

Meanwhile, American outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke will wear the Modena Volley jersey during the 2026/27 season. In the season just concluded, he starred for Galatasaray in Turkey and throughout his career he has been a long-time member of the U.S. national team. Since 2015, he has won two Olympic bronze medals (2016 and 2024), a World Cup gold medal in 2023, and two NORCECA Championship titles.

Sporting director Alberto Casadei said in the official club’s statement:
“With the arrival of Jaeschke, we complete Modena Volley’s starting lineup. His addition will bring quality, experience, and outstanding technical value to the team. Thomas already knows the SuperLega very well and has gained important experience throughout his career both at club level and with the national team, building an international profile of the highest standard.
We are very happy to welcome him to Modena. From our very first conversations, we were impressed by the way he followed our club from afar and by the appreciation he consistently expressed for the core of the team we are building. We believe we have all the ingredients to create a united and competitive group, with the right foundations to work well together and continue growing throughout the season.”

In Modena, Jaeschke will replace Vlad Davyskiba, who was announced today by Russian powerhouse Zenit Kazan, while in Turkey, Halkbank confirmed libero Volkan Döne. Fernando Kreling, last season with the jersey of Powervolley Milano, is new setter of Fenerbahçe.

Always in Italy, Superlega’s club Pallavolo Padova celebrates 17th birthday!

___________________

In Japan, one of the country’s biggest volleyball stars Yuji Nishida has officially renewed his contract with Osaka Bluteon for the 2026/27 season and will continue leading the reigning champions in their pursuit of more titles.

“I am very happy to continue fighting as a member of Osaka Bluteon. We will continue to grow, improve, and challenge ourselves together,” he said.

A new challenge awaits one of Germany’s rising stars, as German opposite hitter Filip John has officially signed with VC Nagano Tridents for the 2026/27 season, making his move to Japan’s SV.League after competing in France with Saint-Nazaire VB.

Filip expressed his excitement about playing in Japan, calling it a long-time dream and praising both the high level of volleyball and Japanese culture: “It has always been a big goal of mine to play in Japan. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans who love volleyball so wholeheartedly.”

Always about Japan, France National Team setter Antoine Brizard will stay in Osaka Bluteon also in 2026/27.

___________________

In Poland, Ángel Trinidad de Haro has become the new setter of Ślepsk Malow Suwałki. The experienced Spanish international returns to the PlusLiga after several years away, and he will compete for a place in the starting lineup with Karol Jankiewicz, who is staying with the club for another season.
The 33-year-old setter from Marbella boasts an impressive international résumé. He began his career in Spain with CyL Palencia and Unicaja Almería, before steadily establishing himself across Europe’s top leagues from 2013 onward. He has represented Italy’s Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia and Gioiella Prisma Taranto, Germany’s TV Ingersoll Bühl and Berlin Recycling Volleys, Belgium’s Knack Roeselare, France’s Tours VB and Arago de Sète, as well as Spain’s Club Voleibol Guaguas.
His achievements include league titles in Spain, France, and Germany, two Belgian championships, numerous domestic cups, and the award for Best Setter in Italy’s Serie A1 during the 2023/24 season.
Trinidad de Haro first experienced the PlusLiga in the 2020/21 season when he joined Warsaw, spending two years in the Polish capital and winning a bronze medal in the national championship.

Ślepsk Malow Suwałki president Wojciech Winnik said: “Ángel is a top-class setter whose experience and quality speak for themselves. We are delighted to welcome him back to the PlusLiga after several years away. During that time, he gained valuable experience in many European leagues and returns to the Polish elite with renewed energy that, I am convinced, will inspire the entire team.
I am equally pleased with Karol Jankiewicz’s attitude in recent months. He has shown tremendous determination, character, and a willingness to fight for his place on the court, and he succeeded in doing so. Having both setters on our roster is a major asset. I wish them a healthy and exciting competition for the starting position.”

Cezary Sapiński, Erik Shoji and Lukáš Vašina part ways with Asseco Resovia.
Sapiński represented Asseco Resovia for two seasons, making a total of 23 PlusLiga appearances.

“Cezary spent two seasons with our club. We thank him for his dedication and hard work on behalf of the team and wish him every success in the next stage of his career,” said Piotr Maciąg, President of the Management Board of Asseco Resovia Rzeszów.

The American libero Shoji represented the club during the most recent season and was one of the team’s most experienced players. In 29 league matches, he recorded a 48.46% positive reception rate, ranking seventh among PlusLiga receivers.

“Erik is a highly experienced volleyball player with an outstanding work ethic. We thank him for his performances and commitment to the team,” added the president.

The Czech outside hitter Vašina had been with Asseco Resovia since 2024, making a total of 40 league appearances.

“Lukáš spent two seasons with us. During the first, he repeatedly proved his value on the court, providing quality, energy, and support in crucial moments. Unfortunately, injuries significantly limited his playing time during the most recent season and prevented him from showing his full potential. We thank Lukáš for his commitment and contribution to Asseco Resovia and wish him, above all, good health and every success in the continuation of his career,” said Piotr Maciąg.

More farewells for the Polish champions Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie following the departures of opposite hitter Kyle Ensing, middle blocker Jurij Galdyr, and outside hitter Jakub Czerwiński.
Setter Jakub Nowosielski, who left the club as a reigning Polish champion, European runner-up, and bronze medalist at the FIVB Club World Championship. The previous season, he won silver medals in both the PlusLiga and the CEV Champions League, while also lifting the AL-KO Polish Super Cup.

“I really enjoyed my time in Zawiercie. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to play for a club operating at such a high level, both on the court and organizationally. On top of that, there is an incredible atmosphere here, because volleyball is not only a passion for the people involved with the team, but for the entire city. I think that’s something
truly unique in Poland,” he said.

___________________

To close today’s chapter, a news also from Austria: a long-time member of the Austrian national team, TSV Hartberg welcomed an important reinforcement for the 2026/27 season, Clemens Ecker.
After spells in Croatia and most recently with Sokol Vienna, the outside hitter is now making the move to Eastern Styria.

“We are delighted to welcome Clemens to Hartberg. He is not only an outstanding volleyball player but also a great person. We are proud that another leading figure in Austrian volleyball has chosen TSV Hartberg,” said Team Director Markus Gaugl.

___________________

👀|QUICK LINKS
• VolleyBAR 📝🏐🆕
• Multimedia
• Facebook
• Instagram

___________________