VolleyBar24# : Thursday June 18, 2026

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We have now reached the 24th episode of VolleyBar, the very first daily volleyball column of its kind, already shamelessly copied by our “Italian friends and colleagues” just a few days after its official launch!

And, speaking of Italy, Perugia’s second opposite hitter arrives from the Czech Republic, ready to make his debut in the Italian league, David Kollátor.
Naturally, he is proud to have received the call from Perugia: “It is a tremendous honor for me to join a club like Perugia. It is really hard to put into words what this means to me. Not many Czech players get the opportunity to play in Italy, and that’s exactly why I appreciate this chance even more,” he said.

The 23-year-old opposite spent seven seasons in Prague, including the last four consecutively (since 2022/23) with the senior team, where he established himself as one of the most promising talents in Czech volleyball. With VK Lvi Praha, he won the Czech Cup twice and claimed two Extraliga titles.

Perugia are certainly not unfamiliar opponents for him, as he faced the Italian powerhouse during this season’s CEV Champions League group stage.

“I would say that the Italian league is one of the best in the world. I’ve already had the opportunity to play against Italian teams in the past, and every time I have been reminded of just how high their level is,” he added.

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Meanwhile, in Poland, Bartłomiej Lemański will be a player for PGE Projekt Warszawa until 2028, after three seasons with the jersey of PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów.
“Returning to Warsaw is a very special moment for me. I remember my volleyball beginnings perfectly well. I watched the club grow and saw the high standards that have always been in place here. I can’t wait to play my first match in front of the Warsaw fans. I want to give our supporters plenty of reasons to be proud and fight together for the highest goals,” emphasized the 30-years-old middle blocker, remembering his 2013/13 and 2013/14 season with the jersey of the team from country’s capital!

Kamil Szymendera leaves PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów.
After spending one season with the club, the outside hitter will continue his career abroad.

“Kamil joined our team as a young player with great potential, and throughout the season he demonstrated a professional attitude and a constant desire to improve. We are happy to have been part of his sporting journey. A new chapter now awaits him. We thank him for his commitment, his daily work in training, and for representing PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów. We are keeping our fingers crossed for his continued development and wish him the very best,” said Michał Bąkiewicz, President of KPS Skra Bełchatów.

In the same time, Norwid Częstochowa‘s roster for the 2026/27 season continues to take shape, as the club has signed Mateusz Kufka, who arrives after spending the last two seasons with JSW Jastrzębski Węgiel. The young middle blocker will be the third player at his position on coach Luke Reynolds’ roster, alongside Jakub Nowak and Daniel Popiela.
He is regarded as one of the most promising young middle blockers in Poland. He developed through SMS PZPS Spała before playing for KPS Siedlce and Czarni Radom. He spent the last two seasons with JSW Jastrzębski Węgiel, one of Poland’s and Europe’s leading clubs, where he had the opportunity to train and compete alongside world-class players. He has also enjoyed success with Poland’s youth national teams, winning bronze at the 2020 U18 World Championship, gold at the 2021 U19 European Championship, and silver at the 2022 U20 European Championship.

The new Norwid middle blocker explained that his move to Częstochowa was motivated by the opportunity for further development and greater responsibility on the court.

“Norwid Częstochowa convinced me with the club’s ambitions and the approach of the coaching staff, which made me feel this is the right place to continue my development.”

The 23-year-old also stressed how valuable his time in Jastrzębie-Zdrój had been.

“My time in Jastrzębie taught me a lot, above all professionalism and what it means to be part of a team competing for the highest goals in Poland and Europe.”

Before the start of the new season, he made his objectives clear.

“I want to maintain a high level of play and help the team achieve the best possible results,” added.

Wojciech Ferens will remain with GKS Katowice for another season.
The 35-year-old outside hitter joined the team in January 2026 to help in playoff campaign.
Throughout his career, he has played for clubs such as Cuprum Stilon Gorzów, Trefl Gdańsk, and Indykpol AZS Olsztyn. During the season that ended with GKS Katowice earning promotion to PlusLiga, he appeared in 11 matches, providing valuable experience and positive energy, especially during crucial moments.

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In France Clément Castelnau spent only one season wearing the colors of Plessis-Robinson, but his time at the club left a genuine mark.
Arriving as the team’s third middle blocker, already equipped with solid experience in Élite and Ligue B, he quickly adapted to the highest level of French volleyball, making numerous impactful appearances throughout the season, but supporters will particularly remember his outstanding performance against Montpellier at the Omnisports arena. In a hard-fought five-set victory, he produced an exceptional display against one of the position’s stars, Nicolas Le Goff, recording 9 points, 3 blocks, and 1 ace — a performance that came very close to earning him the MVP award!

And Nice confirmed also U.S. National
Team libero Mason Briggs who will spend his third season with the club!
This is fourth confirmation for Nice after outside hitter Colin Castelnau and middle blockers Lohan Nack-Minyem and Rodney Ah-Kong.

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