Alan Nine
SuperLega: Sbertoli commits to Trentino until 2029
Riccardo Sbertoli has signed a new deal with Itas Trentino, extending his stay at the club until 2029.
The setter joined Trento in 2021 and has worn the captain’s armband since 2024. In 235 appearances, he has scored 485 points and helped the club win the 2024 Champions League, Italian league titles in 2023 and 2025, and the 2021 Italian Super Cup.
The 28-year-old also has 183 caps for Italy, according to figures released by the club.
Perugia’s serving power proves decisive against Suntory
Sir Susa Scai Perugia fired 15 aces as they opened the Oji Cup World Challenge series with a 3-1 victory over Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds (25-22, 19-25, 25-21, 25-16).
After Suntory levelled the match in the second set, Perugia regained the upper hand in the third and broke clear early in the fourth. Their dominance from the service line proved crucial, with the visitors managing just four aces.
Ferre Reggers led Perugia with 20 points, including two aces and three blocks. Oleh Plotnytskyi earned MVP honours with 12 points, five of them aces.
Former Perugia opposite Wassim Ben Tara finished with 16 points for Suntory. Before the match, the hosts paid tribute to his three seasons with the club.
Cisterna unveil squad ahead of fourth SuperLega season
Cisterna Volley presented their squad and new kits at the renovated Palasport as preparations continued for the club’s fourth season in SuperLega.
Sporting director Candido Grande believes the young squad is stronger than last season’s, while head coach Daniele Morato pointed to its greater physical presence.
Cisterna open their league campaign at home to Milano on 18 October.
International: Montagnani reflects on Colombia’s historic summer and challenges dual-role rules
Paolo Montagnani has reflected on a landmark summer with Colombia, having guided the country to its first men’s volleyball gold medal at the Central American Games.
Colombia beat Cuba in the semi-finals and Puerto Rico in the final, while also winning bronze at both the South American Cup and the ODESUR Games.
Montagnani, who also coaches Palmi in Italy, takes on annual assignments through the FIVB Empowerment programme and said he could work with a different national team next year. He believes those experiences benefit Italian clubs, with coaches bringing new knowledge home as well as sharing their expertise abroad.
He also criticised Italy’s rules on combining club and national-team coaching roles. Montagnani said clubs can pass financial penalties on to their coaches and confirmed that he had personally paid the sanction arising from his work with Colombia alongside his Italian club role.
Previous efforts by a group of coaches to seek changes to the regulations, he added, had yet to lead to formal talks.
Men’s Serie A2: Macerata finish pre-season with comeback win
Gruppo Fisiomed Macerata rounded off their pre-season programme with a 3-1 victory over Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina (23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23), recovering from a set down to win three closely contested sets.
Both sides converted 53 per cent of their attacks, but Macerata had the stronger block, outscoring their opponents 11-6 at the net.
Marco Novello led the winners with 14 points, while Guzzo and Fedrizzi scored 12 apiece for Grottazzolina.
Macerata begin their Serie A2 campaign away to Union Napoli on 17 October.
Women’s Serie A2: Monviso confirm Achilles injury for Ribechi
Wash4Green Monviso Volley have confirmed that libero Manuela Ribechi ruptured her Achilles tendon at the junction between the tendon and muscle during training on Tuesday 6 October.
The club have not announced a recovery timetable or confirmed whether surgery will be necessary. A further update is expected once the medical team has determined her treatment and rehabilitation plan.
