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.”

Federica, born in Rome in ’96, began her volleyball career in the ranks of Volleyrò. To the sound of bagher and pasta alla gricia, Federica has won several youth championships between indoor volleyball and beach volleyball, coming to wear the blue jersey in both disciplines. In love with the Eternal City, she decided to start her engineering studies there. Courted by several teams in our top league but also by some American colleges, she decided to rely on Sportlinx360 and leave for Miami where she built a piece of history of Florida International University by winning three all-American titles (two with Margherita Bianchin and one with the Brazilian Roberta Ribeiro).

The satisfactions certainly do not end here, because one day we will see bridges, palaces, and buildings designed by our Faith, who graduated in civil engineering with a master’s degree attached. But it’s not time to put on your engineer’s clothes just yet. The Roman defender, in fact, continues to put on a show on the scorching beaches of the peninsula, so much so that she graduated vice champion of Italy 2023 together with her peer Alice Gradini.

Born in Treviso in 1995, Margherita took her first steps on the taraflex in the youth sector of Imoco Volley. But it was in Udine that he developed the idea of going to study overseas and, after graduating from high school, he left for New York to study at St. John’s University. After a year and a half in the Big Apple, Margherita decides to pursue her greatest passion, beach volleyball. She went to Florida International University, Miami, and under the guidance of Hall of Fame Rita Buck Crockett won two All-American titles with Federica Frasca.

And breathing in the atmosphere of Miami Vice, our “leftie” practiced what the Americans call DUAL SPORT, that is, both indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. After completing his master’s degree in International Business, he got the call to the Azzurri and began his adventure at an international level, winning 5 world tour futures, reaching the top 10 at a world championship and two European championships, and winning two Italian cups. Today, Margherita continues to play for Italy and has embarked on the Olympic qualification path for Paris2024 while collaborating with Sportlinx360 with the aim of finding new talented beachers. Thanks to Sportlinx360, the athlete from Treviso has a degree in International relations, a minor in general marketing, a master’s degree in Sports management and a master’s degree in International business.