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Resovia (volleyball)
Resovia (volleyball)
Resovia (volleyball)
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Resovia, officially known for sponsorship reasons as Asseco Resovia, is a professional men's volleyball club based in Rzeszów in southeastern Poland, founded in 1937. They compete in the Polish PlusLiga.

Key Information

Initially part of the Resovia multi-sports club founded 1905, it has operated independently since 2006. The club has won seven Polish Champion titles and three national cups. They won four league titles in the 1970s and the first title in the 21st century in 2012, which put an end to Skra Bełchatów's dominance in the PlusLiga which lasted for 7 consecutive seasons.

Honours

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Domestic

[edit]
Winners (7): 1970–71, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15
Winners (3): 1974–75, 1982–83, 1986–87
Winners (1): 2013–14

International

[edit]
Silver (1): 2014–15
Final Four (1): 2015–16
Silver (1): 1972–73
Winners (1): 2023–24
Silver (2): 2011–12, 2024–25

Club history

[edit]
Asseco Resovia before the match in Rzeszów against AZS Częstochowa on 9 February 2007.
From left Ignaczak (#16), Wika (#6), Grzyb, Oivanen, Redwitz and Kosok (#11) during the match with Paris Volley in the 2009–10 CEV Champions League season.
Before the match with AZS Częstochowa in PlusLiga playoffs in 2010.
György Grozer (#9) during the match on 23 September 2011.
Krzysztof Ignaczak (#16) and Grzegorz Kosok (#4) during a time–out on 25 September 2011.
After winning the Polish Championship in 2012.
Former captain of Asseco Resovia – Aleh Akhrem, after winning the Polish Championship in 2012.
Medal ceremony of the 2011–12 PlusLiga season.

Resovia was established in 1937 in the city of Rzeszów. In 2006, Asseco became the main sponsor of the club. The name Resovia is derived from the Latin, meaning Rzeszów, what has been confirmed by the city council in 2013.[1] In 1969, the club was promoted to the 1st Polish Volleyball League, the highest level volleyball league, playing there until 1991.

The 1970s were the most successful in the club's long history. During that time Resovia led by Jan Strzelczyk and Władyslaw Pałaszewski achieved its biggest successes, winning four Polish Championships (1971, 1972, 1974, 1975), one Polish Cup (1975), and a silver medal of the 1972–73 CEV European Champions Cup. The team of that time consisted of such players like Bronisław Bebel, Stanisław Gościniak, Marek Karbarz or Włodzimierz Stefański who played a major role in the Polish national volleyball team, leading Poland to the titles of 1976 Olympic Champions and 1974 World Champions.[2] In the next years, the club also managed to win 2 Polish Cups in 1983 and 1987 before being relegated in 1991.

After being relegated in 1991, the club spent over a decade in the 2nd Polish Volleyball League. In 2004, the team led by a former Resovia player – Jan Such, was promoted to the newly created professional volleyball league (official name since 2008: PlusLiga). Its first season in the top league Resovia ended in 7th place, achieving higher positions in the next years. In 2006, due to sponsorship reasons, the club changed its name to Asseco Resovia. During the 2007–08 season, Resovia, led by Andrzej Kowal, took part in the CEV Challenge Cup, losing both, the semifinal to Modena Volley (2–3), and a match for third place to the French team, Stade Poitevin Poitiers (0–3). Eventually, the 2008–09 PlusLiga season, Resovia finished in 2nd place (first medal after 20 years), and gained the right to play in the next CEV Champions League edition where they lost a two–game playoffs to Trentino BetClic (0–3, 1–3), the future competition champion. The 2009–10 PlusLiga season, Resovia finished in 3rd place.

In the 2010–11 PlusLiga season, Resovia reached the semifinals of the 2010–11 CEV Cup and lost a two–legged tie to the Italian team, Sisley Treviso (2–3, 1–3). The 2010–11 PlusLiga season Resovia for the second time in a row ended in 3rd place. After the season Ljubomir Travica left the club and a Polish coach Andrzej Kowal took over the team for the next 6 seasons.[3] The next year due to the 3rd place last PlusLiga season Resovia once again spent playing in the CEV Cup, but for this time managed to reach the final and after tough fighting against Russian team Dynamo Moscow (2–3, 2–3) lost and was awarded with the silver medals.[4][5] On the other hand, after 7 years of the PGE Skra Bełchatów dominance in the Polish league Resovia achieved its 5th title of the Polish Champion beating Skra in four matches (3–1) (first title after 37 years).

In the 2012–13 PlusLiga season, Resovia as a reigning Polish Champion was once again granted the right to compete in the upcoming 2012–13 CEV Champions League edition. The club ended in 2nd place in the league round and was eventually stopped by Italian team Lube Banca Marche Macerata in the Playoff 12 (0–3, 1–3).[6] However, Resovia ended the season with another, 6th title of the Polish Champion beating ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle after five matches (3–2). In the next 2013–14 CEV Champions League edition, after achieving first place in the league round and beating Belgian team Knack Roeselare in the playoff stage Resovia has been defeated by another Polish club in the competition – Jastrzębski Węgiel (0–3, 1–3).[7][8][9] In the domestic competition PGE Skra Bełchatów regained the Polish Champion title, defeating Resovia in 3 matches (3–0).[10]

During the 2014–15 PlusLiga season, Resovia was competing in the 2014–15 CEV Champions League. The club beat Russian club Lokomotiv Novosibirsk (3–1) and lost in revenge match in Rzeszów (2–3) on 11 March 2015.[11] Resovia reached the Final Four, which was held in Berlin, Germany and played with another Polish team – PGE Skra Bełchatów and for the first time in competition's history two Polish teams played in the semifinal of the CEV Champions League.[12] On 28 March 2015 Resovia beat PGE Skra Bełchatów in the semifinal (3–0) and eventually lost in final to Zenit Kazan (0–3).[13] On 28 April 2015 Resovia won its 7th title of the Polish Champion.[14]

On 16–17 April 2016, Resovia was a host of the 2015–16 CEV Champions League Final Four held in Tauron Arena Kraków. The team lost the semifinal to Zenit Kazan (1–3), and a match for third place to Cucine Lube Civitanova (2–3), and ended the tournament in 4th place.[15][16] Russell Holmes received an individual award for the Best Middle Blocker of the tournament. During the 2015–16 PlusLiga season, Resovia took second place in the regular season because of the better set ratio than PGE Skra Bełchatów (Skra lost one more set than Resovia). In the final, ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle beat Resovia in three matches (0–3).[17]

Since 2016, the club failed to achieve any significant success ending the 2016–17 PlusLiga season in 4th place and losing the quarterfinal of the Polish Cup to Lotos Trefl Gdańsk. In the 2016–17 CEV Champions League season, the team ended in 3rd place in the league round, and as one of the three third–placed teams was promoted to the next stage. Resovia was not able to defeat Italian team Modena Volley and has been eliminated in the Playoff 12 (2–3, 1–3).[18] By the end of the 2016–17 PlusLiga season, Andrzej Kowal announced his departure as the Resovia head coach.[19] Roberto Serniotti was announced as the new Resovia head coach on 11 May 2017.[20]

After achieving 4th place in the previous PlusLiga season, Resovia took part in the 2017–18 CEV Cup reaching the semifinals and eventually losing to Russian team Belogorie Belgorod (0–3, 0–3).[21] In the domestic league, Resovia achieved 6th place, losing in three matches (1–2) of the first round of the playoffs to Indykpol AZS Olsztyn. On 3 December 2017, an Italian expert Roberto Serniotti was dismissed as a head coach after spending only a few months in the club. He has been replaced by Andrzej Kowal who returned to his post after a short break.[22][23]

At the beginning of the 2018–19 PlusLiga season, Resovia lost 4 matches in a row what resulted in dismissal of both Andrzej Kowal, and the club's chairman – Bartosz Górski. The club decided to employ a Romanian expert Gheorghe Crețu and a former Resovia player – Krzysztof Ignaczak as the club's new chairman.[24][25] Nevertheless, the team did not manage to qualify to the playoff stage and eventually ended the season in 7th place. In the same season, Resovia took part in the 2018 Club World Championship held in Poland, surprisingly defeating the Brazilian team Sada Cruzeiro in the preliminary round and qualifying to the semifinals.[26][27] In the semifinals, the team from Rzeszów has been defeated by Italian team Cucine Lube Civitanova in 4 sets (1–3) and ended the tournament in 4th place losing also a match for third place to the Russian team Fakel Novy Urengoy (1–3).[28][29] The contract with Gheorghe Crețu was not renewed, and on 9 May 2020 Piotr Gruszka was announced as the new Resovia head coach.[30][31]

The 2019–20 PlusLiga season can be named the worst in club's modern history. The team, led by Piotr Gruszka (dismissed on 30 January 2020), and Italian coach Emanuele Zanini (since 11 February 2020) ended the season in 13th place, winning only 7 out of 24 matches and barely avoiding relegation.[32][33] Krzysztof Ignaczak resigned his post as the club's chairman on 14 February 2020, and has been replaced by Piotr Maciąg.[34] Emanuele Zanini remained the head coach of Resovia until the end of the season. On 8 April 2020, an Italian expert Alberto Giuliani was announced as the new Resovia head coach.[35][36]

Team

[edit]
Soviak, the official mascot of Resovia.

As of 2025–26 season

Coaching staff

[edit]
Occupation Name
Head coach Italy Massimo Botti
Assistant coach Belarus Aleh Akhrem Italy Alfredo Martilotti

Players

[edit]
No. Name Date of birth Position
1 Poland Mateusz Poręba (1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 26) middle blocker
2 Poland Dawid Woch (1997-05-16) 16 May 1997 (age 28) middle blocker
3 Poland Wiktor Nowak (1999-05-21) 21 May 1999 (age 26) setter
4 France Yacine Louati (1992-03-04) 4 March 1992 (age 33) outside hitter
5 Poland Jakub Bucki (1988-08-13) 13 August 1988 (age 37) opposite
6 Canada Danny Demyanenko (1994-07-13) 13 July 1994 (age 31) middle blocker
7 Australia Beau Graham (1994-04-17) 17 April 1994 (age 31) middle blocker
11 Czech Republic Lukáš Vašina (1999-07-06) 6 July 1999 (age 26) outside hitter
12 Poland Artur Szalpuk (1995-03-20) 20 March 1995 (age 30) outside hitter
13 Poland Michał Potera (1988-03-06) 6 March 1988 (age 37) libero
16 Poland Paweł Zatorski (1990-06-21) 21 June 1990 (age 35) libero
18 Slovenia Klemen Čebulj (1992-02-21) 21 February 1992 (age 33) outside hitter
19 Poland Marcin Janusz (1994-07-31) 31 July 1994 (age 31) setter
21 Poland Karol Butryn (1993-06-18) 18 June 1993 (age 32) opposite
22 United States Erik Shoji (1989-08-24) 24 August 1989 (age 36) libero
25 Poland Cezary Sapiński (1994-09-28) 28 September 1994 (age 31) middle blocker

Season by season

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Resovia (volleyball)

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from Grokipedia
Asseco Resovia Rzeszów is a professional men's volleyball club based in Rzeszów, southeastern Poland, competing in the PlusLiga, the country's premier league. Founded in 1937 as part of the multisport Resovia association, the club has established itself as one of Poland's most successful teams, securing seven Polish Championship titles—four during the dominant 1970s era (1970–71, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75) and three in the modern period (2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15)—along with three Polish Cup victories. Internationally, Resovia marked a historic breakthrough by claiming its first continental trophy, the CEV Volleyball Cup in the 2023–24 season, becoming the first Polish men's team to win the competition, and reached the final again in 2024–25, finishing as runners-up. The club plays its home matches at the Podpromie Hall, drawing passionate local support in a city known for its vibrant volleyball culture. Over the decades, Resovia has been a talent hub, producing and attracting world-class players, including Cuban star during his early career and American outside hitter Matt Anderson in recent seasons, contributing to its competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions. As of November 2025, Asseco Resovia leads the standings following a strong start to the season, including a decisive 3–0 victory over previous leaders PGE Projekt Warszawa.

Club Overview

General information

Asseco Resovia , originally founded in 1937 as Resovia , is a professional men's club based in , southeastern . The club competes in the , Poland's top-tier men's league. Its name evolved with sponsorship changes, adopting Asseco Resovia in 2006 when Group became the primary sponsor, marking a shift from the original Resovia branding used since inception. The club's traditional colors are and white, reflected in its featuring a design with a yellow star atop and . The official website is https://www.assecoresovia.pl/.[](https://www.assecoresovia.pl/en/) Known among supporters as "Pasy" or "Pasiaki" for their striped jerseys, the team enjoys a substantial and dedicated fan base. Administratively, Asseco Resovia operates as a (Spółka Akcyjna) since 2006, functioning independently from its multi-sport origins while maintaining ties to the Asseco Group's sponsorship and support structure.

Arena and facilities

Asseco Resovia's primary venue is Hala Podpromie, an indoor arena located at Podpromie 10 in , , which serves as the home court for the club's professional matches. The facility, designed by architect Stanisław Kuś with a project originating in the , was completed in just three years and officially opened on June 16, 2002, featuring a multi-purpose structure with a total area exceeding 15,000 square meters. Its volleyball-specific seating capacity stands at 4,304, providing an intimate setting that supports the club's competitive environment in the . The arena has been central to Resovia's operations since its , hosting regular season games, , and international competitions under the CEV umbrella, including Champions League and Cup matches. Beyond volleyball, Hala Podpromie accommodates diverse events such as trade fairs and concerts, enhancing its role as a community hub while prioritizing the club's needs. Renovation efforts began in the mid-2010s, with architectural concepts developed in 2016 aiming to expand capacity to over 7,000 seats and modernize ; however, plans faced delays due to challenges during ongoing operations, with tenders failing in 2022–2023 over high costs (125 million PLN bid exceeding the 45 million PLN budget), leading to temporary suspension. As of November 2025, discussions continue, though local sports clubs, including Asseco Resovia, are protesting a proposed 1.5-year closure for the work, citing potential disruptions as a "catastrophe" for in the city. Training facilities for Asseco Resovia are integrated within Rzeszów's sports infrastructure, with the team utilizing Hala Podpromie for daily practices and leveraging local gyms for strength and conditioning sessions. The arena's setup includes dedicated spaces for recovery, supporting player rehabilitation through physiotherapy and fitness programs essential to maintaining performance levels in a demanding league. The vibrant fan atmosphere at Hala Podpromie, characterized by energetic support from local enthusiasts, has been noted to bolster home-game advantages, contributing to Resovia's strong record in Podpromie-hosted fixtures. For youth and developmental programs, the club primarily operates within Hala Podpromie for key events, while supplementary matches and training occur at secondary local venues in , such as university sports halls, to accommodate junior teams and academy activities.

History

Foundation and early years

The volleyball section of Resovia was established in 1937 as part of the longstanding multi-sport club KS Resovia in , Poland, initially under the broader games section formed around 1932. Early activities included participation in local tournaments, with key pioneers such as players Dynia, , Szostek, Fital, Rząsa, Kosicki, Tabaczyński, Małodobry, Koziej, Markowski, and Grzyb contributing to the program's foundations. World War II severely disrupted operations, halting organized play until a post-war revival in May 1945 led by Albin Małodobry, who reorganized the team amid broader reconstruction efforts in the war-ravaged region. In the late 1940s, the section was restructured as Ogniwo Rzeszów in 1949, operating under amateur conditions with limited resources and relying on local enthusiasm to compete against regional opponents, often tying matches to football events for visibility. A merger with the Budowlani club in 1956 bolstered the roster, enabling entry into the during the 1950s, where the team built competitive experience despite ongoing challenges from post-war infrastructure shortages and the demands of unpaid, part-time athletes. By the 1960s, Resovia achieved initial successes through regional championships, which provided crucial momentum and fan support, culminating in promotion to the in 1969 under coach Jan Strzelczyk, facilitated by the completion of the ROSiR arena. This ascent marked the end of the early developmental phase, setting the stage for national contention in the following decade.

1970s dominance

The 1970s marked the first golden era for Resovia Rzeszów, as the club rose to prominence in Polish through a combination of talented players, innovative coaching, and strategic team play that yielded multiple national titles. Under the guidance of coaches Jan Strzelczyk and Pałaszewski, the team earned a in the Polish Championship in 1970, followed by a silver in 1973, establishing a foundation for dominance. Known as the "Masters of the Double Short" for their pioneering use of quick, short-range attacks and serves that disrupted opponents' defenses, Resovia emphasized agile, coordinated plays that maximized their roster's versatility. The breakthrough came in the 1971 season, when Resovia clinched their first Polish Championship, defeating rivals through disciplined execution of their tactical system and standout performances from key players such as Bronisław Bebel and Jan Such. Building on this momentum, they secured back-to-back titles in 1972, showcasing improved synchronization in transitions from defense to offense, with contributions from setter Stanisław Gościniak, who orchestrated plays with precision. The 1974 championship further solidified their status, as the team navigated a competitive league with resilient blocking led by middle blocker Marek Karbarz. In 1975, Resovia repeated as champions while also winning the , capping a remarkable run. Resovia's success extended beyond domestic borders through its players' pivotal roles in Poland's national team triumphs, particularly the gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Overlapping stars like Bebel, Gościniak, Karbarz, and Włodzimierz Stefański formed the core of the Olympic , bringing club-honed tactics such as rapid short attacks to the international stage and contributing to Poland's upset victory over the in the final. This synergy elevated Resovia's profile, as the players' international experience refined their domestic performances. Additional accolades included a in the and bronze in the 1974 Cup Winners' Cup, highlighting the club's European competitiveness. By the late , Resovia's dominance waned, with no further titles after 1975, as the core group that drove the era's successes began to age and transition out of peak form. The post-Olympic period saw challenges in maintaining the same level of roster depth, leading to a gradual decline that persisted into the .

Post-1970s and modern revival

Following the dominant era of the , Asseco Resovia entered a prolonged period of decline in the and , marked by inconsistent performance and structural challenges. The club achieved bronze medals in the Polish Championship in 1987 and 1988, along with victories in 1983 and 1987, but financial difficulties and organizational issues culminated in relegation to the second division in 1991. This setback forced Resovia to compete outside the elite for 13 seasons, during which the team struggled with limited resources and talent retention, highlighting the broader economic pressures on Polish sports clubs at the time. The club's revival gained momentum with promotion back to the in the 2004/05 season, followed by a pivotal sponsorship agreement with Poland in 2006, which injected significant financial support and enabled professionalization. This partnership facilitated strategic investments in foreign talent, such as high-profile imports that bolstered the squad's competitiveness, leading to a in the 2008/09 Polish Championship—the club's first major podium finish in two decades. By prioritizing international recruitment, Resovia began rebuilding its reputation as a contender in domestic and European competitions. Key turning points arrived in the early , when Resovia captured the Polish Championship in the 2011–12 season, ending PGE Skra Bełchatów's eight-year stranglehold on the title and securing the club's first national crown in 37 years. The team repeated as champions in the 2012–13 season, demonstrating sustained excellence under coach Ljubomir Travica, and won again in 2014–15, further solidifying its resurgence. These back-to-back triumphs were built on a blend of domestic stars and international players, including figures like , who enhanced the team's offensive firepower. Resovia's return to elite status was affirmed in the 2023–24 season with a historic victory in the CEV Volleyball Cup, defeating 3-0 in the final to claim the club's first continental trophy and Poland's first men's CEV Cup title. This success underscored ongoing strategic shifts, including expanded youth academy programs to nurture local talent and continued emphasis on global recruitment to maintain depth. These initiatives have positioned Resovia as a stable force in modern , bridging its storied past with contemporary ambitions.

Achievements

Domestic honors

Resovia has secured seven Polish Championship titles, making it one of the most successful clubs in the history of Polish men's , second only to PGE Skra with nine titles. The club's victories span two dominant eras: the early , when the competition operated primarily as a round-robin league format among top teams, and the modern era, featuring a regular season followed by playoffs since the . The titles were won in the 1970–71, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75, 2011–12, 2012–13, and 2014–15 seasons. In the , Resovia's four consecutive titles (except for a runner-up finish in 1972–73) established it as the preeminent force, defeating rivals like and AZS AWF Warsaw in decisive matches. The 2010s revival saw Resovia claim three titles through intense playoff series, including a dramatic 2011–12 final over Skra (3–1 aggregate) and back-to-back wins in 2012–13 and 2014–15 against , often in best-of-five formats that highlighted the club's tactical depth and serving prowess.
SeasonOpponent in Final/Playoff DeciderResult
1970–71League winners
1971–72AZS OlsztynLeague winners
1973–74AZS OlsztynLeague winners
1974–75Płomień MilowiceLeague winners
2011–12PGE Skra Bełchatów3–1 (playoff final)
2012–133–2 (playoff final)
2014–15Lotos Trefl 3–1 (playoff final)
Resovia has also won the three times, all in tournament finals held in neutral venues during the and . The victories came in the 1974–75, 1982–83, and 1986–87 seasons, with the club overcoming strong domestic challengers in single-elimination formats that emphasized short, high-stakes matches. In 1974–75, Resovia defeated Stoczniowiec in the final to claim its first cup. The 1982–83 win was a breakthrough after a lean period, while the 1986–87 final saw Resovia beat Czarni 3–1 in , securing the title amid freezing conditions that tested endurance. These triumphs provided early qualification pathways to European competitions and underscored Resovia's versatility beyond league play. In addition to championships and cups, Resovia captured the Polish SuperCup once, in 2013, as the reigning champions facing cup winners in a one-off match in . The 3–2 victory (22–25, 25–19, 25–23, 21–25, 15–13) lasted over three hours, interrupted by a , and featured standout performances from Piotr Nowakowski and Achrem, marking the club's only SuperCup to date despite runner-up finishes in 2012 and 2015. Overall, these domestic honors total 11 major trophies, positioning Resovia as a historic powerhouse, though it trails Skra Bełchatów's combined 16 in championships and cups since the 2000s.

International honors

Asseco Resovia Rzeszów has established itself as a prominent contender in European volleyball competitions, with regular participation in CEV events since the 1970s, often qualifying through strong performances in the Polish PlusLiga. The club's breakthrough came in the 2023–24 season when it claimed its first continental title by winning the CEV Volleyball Cup, defeating Germany's SVG Lüneburg 3–0 in both legs of the final to secure Poland's inaugural men's CEV Cup gold after a 50-year wait for a European trophy. Building on this success, Resovia reached the CEV Volleyball Cup final again in 2024–25 but finished as runners-up, losing to Turkey's in a two-match series. Earlier, the team achieved silver in the 2011–12 CEV Volleyball Cup final, falling 2–3 to Russia's Dinamo Moscow in the first leg before a decisive defeat in the return. In the premier , Resovia's best result was a runner-up finish in 2015, where it lost 0–3 to Zenit Kazan in the final after advancing through playoffs including a quarterfinal win over . The club's international medal tally includes one gold and three silvers across CEV competitions, with additional notable finishes such as quarterfinal appearances in the Champions League (e.g., 2023–24 pool stage advancement before dropping to the ) and earlier silvers like the 1972–73 CEV European Champions Cup. These achievements underscore Resovia's evolution from domestic powerhouse to consistent European challenger, with over 20 appearances in CEV tournaments driven by repeated Polish league qualifications.

Current Team

Coaching staff

The coaching staff of Asseco Resovia for the 2025–26 season is led by head coach Massimo Botti, an Italian specialist born on May 23, 1973, who was appointed on June 24, 2025, to a two-year contract. Botti, a former professional player in Italian leagues, transitioned to coaching with notable successes, including guiding Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza to promotion to Italy's top division in 2019 and leading BOGDANKA LUK to the Polish championship and the title in the 2024–25 season. His tactical approach emphasizes balanced offensive strategies and defensive solidity, drawing from his experience in both domestic and European competitions. Supporting Botti are assistant coaches Alfredo Martilotti and Aleh Achrem, both retained from the prior season to ensure continuity in training methodologies. Martilotti, an Italian born on January 5, 1980, serves as the second coach and has extensive experience as an assistant, including with the Slovenia men's national team under Alberto Giuliani and various Italian clubs like Corigliano Volley. Achrem, a Belarusian born on March 12, 1983, acts as the third coach; a former international player for Belarus who competed in the 2013–14 CEV Champions League and Polish leagues with teams such as Warta Zawiercie, he brings player development expertise from his post-playing coaching roles. The technical staff includes statisticians Sergiusz Ruszel and Maciej Etgens, who analyze match data to inform strategic adjustments. Ruszel, a Polish staff member since at least 2019, focuses on real-time performance metrics during games. Etgens, also Polish, joined in the 2020–21 season after serving as a statistician for MKS Będzin and has contributed to youth national teams like U21. For physical preparation and physiotherapy, Jakub Majewski and Mateusz Kątek handle , rehabilitation, and conditioning programs. Majewski, Polish, specializes in sports physiotherapy tailored to elite athletes. Kątek, who joined in December 2024, brings international experience from working with the Polish Deaf Sports Association since 2019, including at the and world championships. Key updates for the 2025–26 season include Botti's arrival following his departure from , alongside the addition of Kątek to bolster the medical team amid the club's push for improved injury management after a competitive 2024–25 campaign.

Players

The 2025–26 roster for Asseco Resovia Rzeszów features a balanced mix of experienced international talent and emerging Polish players, emphasizing versatility in attack and defense to compete in the and European competitions. The team maintains a strong international presence with players from multiple nationalities, fostering dynamic team dynamics through diverse playing styles and cultural integration. Key contributors include opposite hitter Stephen Boyer from , who has been a consistent scoring threat since joining in 2023, averaging over 14 points per match in league play and providing leadership in high-pressure situations. The roster is organized by position as follows:
PositionPlayerNationality
Setter
OppositeStephen Boyer
OppositeJakub Bucki
Outside HitterYacine Louati
Outside Hitter
Outside HitterArtur Szalpuk
Outside HitterKarol Butryn
Middle BlockerLukáš Vašina
Middle BlockerBeau Graham
Middle BlockerDanny Demyanenko
Middle BlockerDawid Woch
Middle BlockerMateusz Poręba
LiberoUSA
LiberoCezary Sapiński
Libero
This composition highlights the club's strategy of blending youth development with proven performers, such as Polish outside hitter Artur Szalpuk alongside veterans like American libero , who anchors the defense with his passing accuracy. The international mix contributes to tactical flexibility, allowing for rotations that adapt to opponents' weaknesses during matches. Following their runner-up finish in the 2025 CEV Volleyball Cup, where they fell to Ziraat Bank Ankara in the final, Resovia bolstered their squad for the 2025–26 season with strategic transfers, including the return of French outside hitter Yacine Louati on a multi-year deal and the addition of Polish outside hitter Artur Szalpuk on a one-year contract to enhance attacking depth. These moves, announced in early 2025, addressed gaps in perimeter offense exposed during the European campaign and injected fresh energy into the team's dynamics. Additional signings include Marcin Janusz, middle blocker Danny Demyanenko, and libero Paweł Zatorski. As of November 2025, the team's average height stands at 196 cm, providing a physical advantage in blocking and spiking. Leading scorers include Stephen Boyer, , and Artur Szalpuk, who have combined for over 200 points in the early matches, underscoring their roles as primary attackers in the team's high-tempo offense.

Season-by-Season

1937–1999

Resovia's volleyball section was established in 1937, but the team did not enter competitive league play until after . The club competed in lower divisions during the 1950s and 1960s, gradually building toward national prominence. In 1969, Resovia earned promotion to the top-tier , the primary professional league in at the time, marking the beginning of its sustained presence in elite competition. The pre-PlusLiga era (prior to the league's rebranding and professionalization in the early ) featured a format with a single national division for top teams, typically involving 8–12 clubs in a round-robin structure, followed by for the championship; this system emphasized endurance and consistency over the modern playoff-heavy approach. The 1970s represented Resovia's golden age in domestic play, with the team securing four national titles amid fierce rivalries with clubs like Skra Warszawa and AZS . Notable seasons included the 1971 championship, where Resovia finished the regular season undefeated in key matches before dominating the playoffs; the 1972 title defense, highlighted by a decisive final series win; the 1974 campaign, featuring a 22–4 regular season record; and the 1975 season, culminating in both the league title and the with a flawless playoff run. These successes contributed to an average finish of 1.8 per season in the decade, including consistent playoff participation (reaching semifinals or better in all but one year). The team's dominance was built on a balanced roster excelling in short serves and quick attacks, earning the nickname "Masters of the Double Short."
SeasonLeaguePositionNotes
1969/703rdDebut in top division; .
1970/711stNational champions; undefeated in .
1971/721stTitle defense; strong regular season performance.
1972/732ndSilver medal; reached finals.
1973/741stChampions; 22 wins in regular season.
1974/751stChampions; also won .
1975/764th quarterfinals.
1976/775thMissed .
1977/783rd; semifinalists.
1978/796thMid-table finish.
1979/804th participation.
In the 1980s, Resovia maintained competitiveness despite increased parity in the I liga, averaging a 4.2 finish across the decade and qualifying for playoffs in seven of ten seasons. The team captured the Polish Cup in 1983 after a thrilling final victory over Legia Warszawa (3–1), showcasing defensive prowess with 15 blocks in the decisive match, and again in 1987, defeating AZS Olsztyn 3–0 in the final amid a resurgent season that saw them climb from mid-table to contenders. League highlights included a third-place finish in 1982/83 and 1986/87, both tied to cup runs, though the club struggled with injuries in later years, finishing as low as 8th in 1989/90. These results reflected adaptations to evolving rules, such as the introduction of more libero-like roles in defense. The marked a period of decline for Resovia, with an average league position of 7.5 early in the decade before relegation, followed by stabilization in the . The team hovered in the lower half of the standings from 1990 to 1991, culminating in relegation after finishing 10th in the 1990/91 season amid financial challenges and roster turnover. In , Resovia achieved consistent top-4 finishes, such as 2nd in 1993/94 and 3rd in 1996/97, but failed to secure immediate promotion, enduring multiple playoff losses (e.g., semifinals exit in ). Playoff participation was limited to one appearance post-1980s, underscoring the era's struggles before the league's transition toward greater commercialization.
SeasonLeaguePositionNotes
1980/815thPlayoff quarterfinals.
1981/823rdSemifinalists.
1982/833rdPolish Cup winners.
1983/846thMissed playoffs.
1984/854thQuarterfinals.
1985/865thPlayoff appearance.
1986/873rdPolish Cup winners.
1987/887thMid-table.
1988/896thNo playoffs.
1989/908thRelegation battle.
1990/9110thRelegated to .
1991/925thAdaptation to second tier.
1992/934thPlayoff semifinals.
1993/942ndPromotion push failed.
1994/953rdSemifinals exit.
1995/964thConsistent contention.
1996/973rdTop-half finish.
1997/985thMid-table.
1998/996thStabilized position.

2000–2019

During the early , Asseco Resovia struggled to break into the upper echelons of the , often finishing outside the top four amid the dominance of teams like PGE Skra Bełchatów and . The club's revival gained momentum in the late , culminating in a third-place finish in the 2009–10 season, which qualified them for European competitions and marked the beginning of consistent playoff appearances. By the 2010–11 season, Resovia secured another third-place regular season standing, advancing to the semifinals before falling to Skra, with a win-loss record of 18–8 in league play. The 2011–12 season represented a breakthrough, as Resovia clinched their first Polish Championship in 37 years by defeating Skra in the best-of-seven finals (3–1 series), ending Skra's seven-year reign. Key contributor Jochen Schöps led the team with 452 points as the top scorer, while the squad posted a 22–4 regular season record. This success propelled Resovia into the 2012–13 campaign, where they defended the title with a 3–0 finals sweep over ZAKSA, again in a best-of-seven format; Russell Holmes emerged as the season's top scorer for the club with 389 points, and their overall win-loss stood at 20–6. These back-to-back triumphs established Resovia as a powerhouse, qualifying them for the CEV Champions League. Resovia's mid-2010s peak continued in the 2013–14 season, where they reached the finals but lost to Skra 3–2 in the best-of-seven series after a grueling semifinal victory over ZAKSA (3–2). Despite the runner-up finish, the team maintained a strong 19–7 regular season record, with top scorer Piotr Nowakowski contributing 312 points through blocks and attacks. The following year, 2014–15, saw Resovia reclaim the championship with a 3–1 finals win over ZAKSA, boasting a dominant 24–2 regular season mark; David Smith was the leading scorer with 456 points. Paralleling domestic success, Resovia finished as runners-up in the 2015 , losing 3–0 to Zenit in the final after defeating and in earlier rounds, highlighting their European competitiveness. The eluded them during this period, though they reached semifinals in 2014–15. Post-2015, Resovia remained a top-four staple in standings, qualifying for and European tournaments annually through the late , with consistent records around 18–12 to 20–10. In 2015–16, they earned bronze after semifinals loss to ZAKSA, led by top scorer Amar Garibović (421 points). The 2016–17 season brought fourth place, with a 17–13 record and Bartłomiej Lemański as leading scorer (378 points). However, minor dips emerged in 2018–19, where inconsistencies led to a sixth-place finish (16–14 record) and quarterfinal exit to , despite Dawid Dryjaś's 365 points as top scorer; this marked a slight regression amid roster changes and injuries, though they still secured European qualification. The era's evolution, including best-of-five semifinals and best-of-seven finals, intensified competition and underscored Resovia's resilience in high-stakes series.

2020–present

The 2020–21 season was markedly disrupted by the , with multiple matches across the postponed due to positive cases in teams, including opponents of Asseco Resovia, forcing the club to navigate strict quarantine protocols and rescheduled fixtures. Despite these challenges, the team recorded several key wins, such as a 3-1 victory over Indykpol AZS in November 2020, but ultimately finished fifth in the regular season standings and were eliminated in the playoff quarterfinals. Roster changes that season included the integration of new talents like outside hitter , helping to maintain competitiveness amid the uncertainty. In the 2021–22 season, Asseco Resovia finished fifth in the regular season with a 14–12 record, qualifying for the but were eliminated in the quarterfinals by PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów (1–3 series). The team showed resilience with contributions from players like Bartosz Kwolek, though injuries impacted their postseason run. The 2022–23 season saw a strong resurgence, as Resovia topped the standings with an impressive 24–6 record, earning the top seed for the . They advanced past the quarterfinals with a 3–0 sweep over PSG Stal Nysa but were defeated in the semifinals by (0–3), finishing fourth overall. Key performers included Fabian Drzyzga and , highlighting the team's return to contention. In the 2023–24 season, Asseco Resovia secured their first European trophy by winning the CEV Volleyball Cup, defeating Germany's SVG Lüneburg in the final with straight-set victories in both legs: 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-21) in the first leg on March 12 and 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-18) in the second leg on March 19 before a crowd of 4,300 at Podpromie Hall. Stéphan Boyer was named MVP of the final for his standout performance, contributing 15 points in the decisive match. Domestically, the team finished fourth in the PlusLiga regular season, qualifying for the playoffs but falling short of the title. The 2024–25 season has seen Asseco Resovia emerge as a dominant force, taking the top spot in the PlusLiga standings after a commanding 3-0 shutout (25-22, 25-22, 26-24) against previous leaders PGE Projekt Warsaw on November 6, marking their fourth consecutive league victory and showcasing balanced attacking play led by players like Yacine Louati. As of November 17, 2025, following a 3–2 victory (20-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-13) over Bogdanka LUK Lublin on November 16, the team sits in third place. The team is also actively competing in the CEV Champions League, with pool stage matches ongoing, including a recent fixture against Trentino Itas. In European play, they aimed for a back-to-back CEV Cup title but were defeated by Turkey's Ziraat Bankkart in the April finals, losing the second leg 1-3 (20-25, 25-17, 28-26, 25-14) after a tight 2-3 first-leg defeat. Key roster adjustments, such as Louati's return from international duties, have fueled their domestic win streak. With the PlusLiga regular season still in progress, upcoming matches, including Champions League knockout stages, offer potential for further success.

References

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