A long history

Founded in 1875 in Parkville, Missouri, it is a bastion of higher education in the United States. Initially named Park College, the university has a rich history and an enduring commitment to providing quality educational opportunities.

A multicultural community

Park University’s community is inclusive and global, welcoming students from diverse cultural backgrounds that form a multicultural learning environment enriched by diversity.

Both women’s and men’s volleyball are among the most successful and followed programs in the history of the university under the orders of coach Talamantes who has been at the helm of both teams for more than 10 years.

In particular, at the volleyball level, the Pirates and the Pirates – in order – have won several NAIA national titles as well as having always gained access to the NAIA national finals.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL:
National Champions 2018
National Champions 2014

VOLLEYBALL:
National Champions 2017
National Champions 2014
National Champions 2012

One of America’s most iconic parks, Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) offers breathtaking views of the majestic gorge carved out by the Colorado River. It is a place of extraordinary beauty, with sheer cliff faces, incredible shades of color, and a vast diversity of ecosystems. Unmissable and, we repeat, iconic. For many, visiting it could mean a dream come true.

Known for its spectacular mountain scenery and glaciers, Glacier National Park borders Canadian territory. Its mountains, valleys and glacial lakes create a unique scenery. It is also the “home” for many species of wildlife, such as bears, moose, and roe deer.

Known for its towering peaks, alpine lakes, and rich forests, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. It offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife spotting. This national park is located in the eastern part of the United States and is famous for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity

Dominated by the majestic Denali Mountain (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the eponymous national park offers spectacular scenery and incredible wildlife. It is home to many species, including bears, moose, wolves, and caribou. Denali is a paradise for adventure and exploration lovers in one of Alaska’s most remote and untouched regions.

If you are passionate about nature and hiking, these are notes that you should keep with you.

Born in 1993, Andrea is one of the darlings of Abruzzo volleyball and thanks to his passion he managed to earn a scholarship using Sportlinx360. After a two-year stint at Missouri Valley College, the setter from Vasto moved to Kansas City, more precisely to Park University, one of the most sought-after destinations for Italian student-athletes. During his three years at Park, Andrea managed to get some sporting satisfaction as well as graduating in Finance and Financial management services.

In the last year, he has been named one of the best players in the mid-west conference (the first team) and the entire nation, appearing in the all-American lineup. From the United States Andrea moved to England where he was accepted at Northumbria University (Newcastle) for a prestigious master’s degree in International Business Management. So far, his life seems to us to be full of satisfactions… But that’s not all! With IBB Polonia London he makes a historic appearance in a Champions League match! Andrea… We are proud of you!

Rachele “Rocky” Rastelli, along with Erica Di Maulo, was one of the pillars of St. John’s University, Queens. And to think that as a child she wanted to be a dancer… Fortunately, her 192cm has contributed to a decidedly more advantageous lifestyle choice! Staying in the Big Apple for 5 years, Rachele has always been a model student, winning the Big East All Academic team almost every year thanks to her studies in public relations and her master’s degree in International communication

But it is on the taraflex that the Emilian gang gives its best, winning a historic Big East 2020 championship (considered one of the toughest championships in division 1) and a Big East player of the year 2021. Defined by Coach Joanne Persico as one of the players who made the most difference in the history of St. John’s, Rastelli made the decision to return to her homeland once she finished her studies overseas and to play professionally.

Origin: Rome (RM) – Italy

Sports: Beach Volleyball

College:

• Currently at Florida International University
• 2018-2019 – Stetson University
• 2019-2022 – Long Beach State University

Alice Pratesi is originally from Rome but you only have to look at her sparkling game to understand that her beach volleyball is all made in the USA. In fact, the player born in ’98 left armed with great courage for Florida, despite not having much experience on the sand and having played very few youth tournaments. At Stetson University (Florida) he dedicated himself only to studying and training without competing in competitions (in jargon it is called Red Shirt year), and then he began to get serious in California, in Long Beach State.

It was here that Alice made the leap in quality and became an irreplaceable pawn for the team, winning the AVCA Top Flight Award 2021 and the All Big West First Team selection. After 3 seasons in the Golden State, he returned to the Sunshine State, Florida. Under the guidance of Rita Buckcrockett (Florida International University), the Roman defender won the Conference USA All Tournament First team 2023 and participated in the NCAA Finals, a historic milestone for FIU, which had managed to take part in the national finals for the first time in 2018 captained by the Bianchin-Frasca duo. Alice is currently pursuing a master’s degree and preparing for the beach season on American beaches.

Michela Rucli is originally from Udine and grew up in the ranks of Libertas Martignacco, a club that from Serie C has managed to get up to A2. Once she got to know the reality of Sportlinx360, fully supported by her mother Cristina and father Giorgio, she left for Long Island, a densely populated island south-east of New York City. Rucli immediately became a fundamental piece for Hofstra University until she ended her career in the USA as the third best bricklayer in university history, she became CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) Champion, and again at Hofstra she entered among the best four scorers ever for attack percentages.

In addition to the sporting awards, the Karst powerhouse obtains a prestigious degree in business economics and a minor in marketing. Today Michela, after having played in the ranks of the best A2 squads, plays in the top flight for the team of the capital with which last year she achieved promotion and the Italian Cup.

When we talk about Erica Di Maulo, we are talking about a piece of St. John’s University history… and more. The Milanese setter, coached by the Bosetti family, led Orago volleyball to victory of the U16 championship in 2013. But it is in the Big Apple, precisely in Queens, that he gives his best by winning a prestigious Big East Freshman of the Year and a historic Big East Conference Championship.

Erica has always won many individual awards (including best server in history for St. John’s) in her American past, but she has also achieved several satisfactions by getting on the stage of professional volleyball, first in Finland and then in Casalmaggiore in A1. Di Maulo is up against the best setters in the world and does not disappoint every time she is called upon. our athlete has a bachelor’s degree in Education and has now returned to the United States.

“Erica is a great leader, and she’s a great person,” said Perisco. “Her numbers, her statistics, her incredible record-breaking assist that she just earned this year is a byproduct of her core values she learned from her family.”