The final, enjoyable performance of the 2025/26 season for ErmGroup Altotevere took place in the most iconic venue: the council chamber of the Municipality of San Giustino, where the white-and-blue club has its headquarters and playing facilities. Late on the morning of Thursday, May 14, the MVP trophy for the entire season was awarded to spiker Matteo Alpini, who was voted ErmGroup’s best player based on the votes cast by fans and athletes in individual games. The 25-year-old striker from Prato scored 384 points in 25 games, averaging nearly 16 per game. The award was presented to him by Mayor Stefano Veschi, and then the Councilor for Culture, Loretta Zazzi, presented him with a plate made by “Ceramiche Noi” featuring one of the town’s symbols, Bufalini Castle, based on a black-and-white design by artist Teo Tiburzi. Finally, another tribute came from one of the new sponsors, Cantine Blasi of Umbertide. A large delegation from Volley Altotevere, led by CEO Claudio Bigi, and the president of the local sports council, Gabrio Possenti, were present in the room. “I wasn’t expecting it, especially considering I’d only been awarded MVP once in individual matches,” said an emotional Alpini, “but I’m happy because I see all the sacrifices I’ve made over the course of an entire season paying off. There were high expectations of me, and I hope I didn’t disappoint, and that’s very important to me.” The player was also satisfied with his personal assessment: “Considering that it was my first season as a starter in Serie A after a stint in Siena, which helped me develop on many levels, I’d say I started well. I played a less than ideal middle section, partly to get used to the division. Then, thanks to the coaches’ help, I was able to manage certain moments of the match well, even the most delicate ones. I think I continued to improve from the beginning of the second half to the end. I felt good here in San Giustino, and from the semifinal against Belluno, my only regret is the first-leg set we lost after starting with a large lead: it would have been a 3-1 win for us, as we managed to win two sets on the road in the second leg. Who knows how it could have ended.”
