Some confirmations are more resonant than signings, because they speak volumes about a decision. And because that decision often involves much more than a signed contract. Dragan Stankovic’s confirmation at Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina for the Serie A2 season falls squarely into this category.
It’s almost shocking to write it: Dragan Stankovic will play in Serie A2. One of the most successful and recognizable middle blockers in world volleyball, an athlete who has played in the SuperLega for seventeen consecutive seasons—sixteen of which were spent with the great Italian volleyball teams—has chosen to continue his journey, starting again in Grottazzolina and, for the first time in his career, in Serie B.
A decision that might surprise those who only look at his resume. Much less so for those who know the man himself. Because Stankovic’s journey has never been driven solely by the prestige of the division. Behind it have always been a desire to compete, a work ethic, and that hunger that distinguishes great players from great champions. And this is precisely the concept that emerges forcefully from his words: “Playing in Serie A2 doesn’t bother me at all, honestly, because first and foremost I like playing volleyball. What matters to me is competing, playing, and training. Right now, I still really want to wake up early to go to training, play, sweat, and suffer because I love volleyball and I like competing.”
