There is no doubt that the Italian League is home of the world’s biggest VOLLEYWOOD SUPERSTARS this season. Lots of champions, MVPs and just some of the world’s best players!
#20: Samuele Papi – Italy
Outside Hitter
Copra Volley
STAR POWER: Papi is perhaps the most experienced volleyball player in the league. At 42 years old, Samuele is still very committed to play in the most elite division against some of the world’s best players.
#19 Marko Podrascanin – Serbia
Middle Blocker
Lube Volley
STAR POWER: The Serbian middle blocker still remains as one of the world’s best blockers. This is going to be Marko’s 8th season with Lube.
#18 Mitar Djuric – Greece
Opposite Hitter/ Middle Blocker
Trentino Volley
STAR POWER: Mitar is no doubt the biggest volleyball superstar that the country of Greece has ever produced within the last decade. This is his 4th non-consecutive season with Trentino.
#17 John Gordon Perrin – Canada
Outside Hitter
Copra Volley
STAR POWER: Gord is perhaps Canada’s best player right now and he deserves to play in one of the world’s best professional leagues. With an Olympic spot on his Bucket List, the Italian League is a great training ground for our Canadian BAE to prepare for NORCECA Olympic Qualification early next year.
#16 Filippo Lanza – Italy
Outside Hitter
Trentino Volley
STAR POWER: After a great 2015 season with the National Team, we can’t wait to see more of Lanza. He has evolved to become one of Italy’s best all around players! Can we also add that he is the Adonis Of Volleywood?
#15 Luca Vettori – Italy
Opposite Hitter
DHL Modena
STAR POWER: Luca may have been in the shadows of superstar teammate Ivan Zaytsev all this year but we expect him to be among the league’s top scorers this season.
#14 Klemen Cebulj – Slovenia
Outside Hitter
Lube Volley
STAR POWER: Klemen was instrumental in Slovenia’s historical EuroVolley success. No doubt he will lead his team like what he always does when playing with Slo Volley.
#13 Taylor Sander – USA
Outside Hitter
Verona Volley
STAR POWER: The 2015 World Cup Champion and soon to be 2016 Olympian is his team’s BEST all around player. Don’t disappoint us this season Taytay!
#12 Luciano De Cecco – Argentina
Setter
Sir Safety Perugia
STAR POWER: One of the world’s best setters. Period.
#11 Sebastian Sole – Argentina
Middle Blocker
Trentino Volley
STAR POWER: In his second season with Trentino, we already know what he is capable of as a middle blocker. We <3 you Seba!
#10 Bruno Rezende – Brazil
Setter
DHL Modena
STAR POWER: He entertained us with his epic and out of this world sets last season so we expect more from the Brazilian setter. Bruno and Ngapeth on the same, expect the unexpected!
#9 Aleksandar Atanasijevic – Serbia
Opposite Hitter
Sir Safety Perugia
STAR POWER: The Serbian scoring machine will for sure lead Perugia’s offense throughout the season just like what he’s done since 2013.
#8 Osmany Juantorena – Italy/Cuba
Outside Hitter
Lube Volley
STAR POWER: There’s no place like home for Os. After a great 2014/2015 season in Turkey with Halkbank, the Cuban-Italian wing spiker returns to Lega Volley and plays with some of the world’s best players. Micah and Os? Yes Please!
#7 Tine Urnaut – Slovenia
Outside Hitter
Trentino Volley
STAR POWER: One of the world’s best all around and smartest outside hitters out there. Trentino made the right choice signing him up!
#6 Aaron Russell – USA
Outside Hitter
Sir Safety Peruiga
STAR POWER: The current American sensation who will capture our attention with his skills and will make us melt with his pretty boy looks. This is Aaron’s first year playing overseas.
#5 Micah Christenson – USA
Setter
Lube Volley
STAR POWER: Micah will make his professional debut in one of the world’s best leagues and Italian fans can’t wait to see the game and the awesome sets he is known for.
#4 Jenia Grebennikov – France
Libero
Lube Volley
STAR POWER: The world’s best libero and also the most adorable European Champion we have ever known!
#3 Simone Gianelli – Italy
Setter
Trentino Volley
STAR POWER: Italy is very lucky to have this talented 19 year old. He led Italy to finish in the Top 2 at the FIVB World Cup and a bronze medal at the recently concluded EuroVolley. Take note 2015 was first season with the National Team and he has already achieved a lot.
#2 Earvin Ngapeth – France
Outside Hitter
DHL Modena
STAR POWER: FIVB World League Champion. FIVB World League MVP. European Champion. Best Outside Hitter. His achievements this year justify why he is #2 on our list.
#1 Lucas Saatkamp – Brazil
Middle Blocker
DHL Modena
STAR POWER: Rumor has it that Lucas is the HIGHEST PAID player in the Italian League this season. Take note, he was the highest paid player in the Brazilian League so it’s not hard to believe why he is reportedly making 1 MILLION EUROS with Modena. This is Lucas’ first year playing overseas
The season officially starts on October 25th and you can click HERE for all the latest news and updates!