The women's team ofMegabox Ondulati del Savio Vallefogliastarted preparations for the 2025/26 season with a team-building event on the picturesque Monte San Bartolo hill near Pesaro. Among the first to begin training was alsoTsvetomira Mitkova.
Led by head coach Andrea Pistola, with assistants Giacomo Passeri and new third coach Reindorf Nortey, the team spent the morning in nature, then held its first session of the season at the "PalaVitri" hall in Montecchio.
Who started first?
The first training session was attended by Valentina Bartolucci, Erblira Bici, Bojana Butigan, Sonja Candi, Federica Carletti, Chiara De Bortoli, Alice Feduzzi, andTsvetomira Mitkova. The staff included team manager Alice Ioni, scoutman Matteo Spadoni, physiotherapistsGeorgi Bivolarskiand Francesca Ciaroni, as well as psychologists Massimiliano Vandi and Andrea Venturoli.
National players will arrive after the World Championship
Three more important figures will join the team in the coming weeks - Bulgarian national playerMikaela Stoyanova, who is currently preparing for the World Championship in Thailand, and Italians Gaia Giovannini and Loveth Omoruyi, who are in preparation with "Squadra Azzurra". Stoyanova and Mitkova were teammates at "Levski Sofia" and will once again play side by side, this time in the Italian Serie A1.
Preparation Plan
Vallefoglia's initial program includes technical sessions at "PalaVitri" and strength training in the gym, as well as sessions at "PalaMegabox" in Pesaro. The first control matches are scheduled for September:
September 6 - against VTB Bologna (B1)
September 10 - in Cervia against Omag-MT San Giovanni in Marignano (A1)
September 12 – in Bologna against Cuneo Granda Volley (A1)
After that, the team will participate in two strong tournaments – on September 20-21 in Conegliano and next weekend at home in "PalaMegabox".
Coaching perspective
"The beginning is positive – the group shows the right attitude. Retaining a large part of last year's squad facilitates the integration of new players. Now we will assess the physical form to bring everyone to an optimal level and confidence with the ball," commented coach Andrea Pistola.
