The Polish champions quickly reacted to the situation and turned to the German Bundesliga for a replacement for Sawicki. Early in the national season, the opposite hitter of the Polish national team and Bogdanka LUK Lublin, Mikołaj Sawicki, left the training camp and stopped training after a positive doping sample, taken after one of the PlusLiga final matches. The second sample also confirmed the result, and the attacker is currently fighting to clarify the case to return to active sports.

As the new PlusLiga season approaches, the club of national team captain Alex Grozdanov had no time to lose. Bogdanka LUK Lublin reached an agreement with German VfB Friedrichshafen for the transfer of the new opposite hitter – Canadian Jackson Young. The 24-year-old Young spent the last two seasons at Friedrichshafen and is known for his impressive performance in the Bundesliga. He was also part of the 'Maple Leaves' squad at the recent World Championship in Manila, where the Americans lost in the round of 16 to Poland.

'After two successful seasons on Lake Constance and an incredible performance with the team, our Canadian opposite hitter is moving to the Polish champion Bogdanka LUK Lublin – and thus becoming one of the best players in the world! Of course, we would gladly have kept you with us for a third season, but we are happy for this incredible opportunity! Thank you, Jackie, for your commitment, energy, and unforgettable moments! Good luck in Lublin,' VfB Friedrichshafen wrote on social media.

Young is leaving Germany for the first time in his career to join Alex Grozdanov's club and become the new attacking force for the Polish champions.

photo:volleyballworld.com