The Volley Lube Academy sums up a memorable competitive season. Even though they have only been touched by Italian titles, the absolute domination of the red and white cantera in the Marche region and the significant placings at the national level have put the Cuciniero academy on the podium of the best youth sectors in Italy.
The Lubini have distinguished themselves starting from the regional competitions, thanks to a full of titles in all youth categories in the Marche region from U13 to U19, then asserting themselves against the most difficult Italian youth sectors, often facing rivals of higher overall average, but holding the field well.
The national second place in the Boy League (U14) was applauded, the U15 Scudetto slipped out of the hands only at the tie break, with Mattia Penna named best spiker and Nico Pasqualini awarded best central defender. Fourth place and a great disappointment for the U17, with Diego Dolcini celebrated as the best libero. Also prestigious were the 6th national place and 7th place in the Junior League for the U19 team against more experienced teams and always fighting with determination. To ennoble a year of protagonists, the numerous invitations of the talented red and white athletes by the national teams in the indoor and beach volleyball categories.
Also worth mentioning are the promotional results, namely the regional record S3 1st level and the Marche silver S3 2nd level at the end of painstaking work by Giampiero Freddi, head of the Academy, who also took part in targeted initiatives outside the field, such as the School Project, capable of involving over 500 primary school pupils, culminating in the final party with the Eurosuole Forum invaded by schoolchildren.
Giampiero Freddi: “We all would have liked to win a Scudetto to replenish the already rich trophy case and I must say that we came close, but what makes me really proud is that we didn’t miss a beat in the Marche. Furthermore, our boys took the field as protagonists in national tournaments even with opponents who were one or two years older. I thank our staff for their professionalism, the children for their commitment, and the families for their constant participation. Representing a reservoir for the national selections repays us for all the sacrifices. Creating profitable synergies with schools is an obligatory step to nourish the Academy and introduce volleyball to young people!”.
