Italian Recruiting Trip - 9th Edition
Showcase: June 9-12, 2026
Note that MALE SHOWCASE will follow up on JUNE 12-13 2026
Last update: November 24, 2025
SHOWCASE INFO
2025 once again confirmed Italy’s position at the top of the world in both women’s and men’s volleyball, highlighting the country’s unmatched ability to develop elite talent.
In this context, the Italian Recruiting Trip—now in its 9th edition—returns with a renewed format, inviting college coaches to both Rome and Milan to evaluate high-potential prospects.
PURPOSE OF THE EVENT
The goal of the Italian Recruiting Trip is to connect prospective volleyball student-athletes with U.S. college coaches.
Italy’s strong volleyball tradition has led many Italian players to pursue collegiate careers in the United States over the years. Likewise, numerous American athletes and coaches have developed professionally in Italy, strengthening the long-standing exchange between the two volleyball cultures.
With the new two-city format, coaches will have the opportunity to:
- Evaluate elite athletes in both Rome and Milan;
- Compare talent across two major volleyball hubs;
- Enjoy the cultural richness each city offers.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We are expecting approximately 30 selected athletes, who will practice four times over two days.
Sessions will include:
- Height and vertical jump measurements;
- Position-specific evaluations;
- The possibility of one-on-one meetings, in accordance with NCAA recruiting protocols.
Coaches roundtable with Luca Cristofani
After dinner, coaches will join Luca Cristofani for an informal roundtable—an exclusive moment to exchange insights with one of Italy’s most accomplished volleyball coaches.
Cristofani has won every major Italian title except the A1, including 15 junior national championships since 1995, and multiple promotions from Serie C through A2. In the 2020–2021 season, he led Roma Volley Team back to Serie A1 after 25 years and later coached Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia in the A1 league.
Internationally, he has served as Head Coach of Peru’s National Team, assistant coach for Italy’s senior team (Mediterranean Games 2013 gold), and technical director for Puerto Rico’s national programs, achieving historic results—including a 2025 NORCECA Final 4 title.
Cristofani also coached Italy’s U23, U20 and U18 teams for seven seasons and has been the Technical Director of Volleyrò Casal de Pazzi for the past nine years.
SHOWCASE PRICES
Showcase Only Package (4 days and 4 nights)
€1800 on single room
€1500 per person on double room
Coaches will arrive to Rome Leonardo Da Vinci airport (FCO)/Ciampino (CIA) airport or Milan Malpensa airport (MXP) on June 8th and depart on June 12th from Milan or Rome
Included in the price:
- 4 nights (2 nights in Rome and 2 nights in Busto Arsizio-Milan) at 4* hotels (wifi included);
- Meals included: 4 continental breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners;
- All local transportation:
- To and from the gym;
- On Wednesday, June 10th, high-speed train from Rome to Milan and local transportation to the hotel;
- Sightseeing in Milan with a local guide;
- Pick-up and drop-off from the airport and/or train station;
- Train transportation to Rome for departure;
- Free access to the weightroom @ gym location;
- Access to 4 live showcase practices;
- Coaches roundtable with Luca Cristofani;
- Contact information and evaluation data for all prospects;
- In-person recruiting meeting with PSA with translators (if needed) and respecting all NCAA recruiting guidelines;
- Full video package of practices.
Not included:
- Flight ticket to and from the USA;
- Medical Insurance (recommended);
- Extra night for early arrival on June 7th or delayed departure on June 13th upon request.
Cost TBD
Payment policy:
- € 900 deposit to reserve the spot*
- € 900 by April 15th 2026
*If cancelling before March 15th, deposit is fully reimbursed. If cancelling after March 15th deposit is not reimbursed but credit is maintained for a future event.
Tentative schedule:
| June 2025 |
Sunday 7 |
Monday 8 |
Tuesday 9 |
Wednesday 10 |
Thursday 11 |
Friday 12 |
Saturday 13 |
| Morning |
Arrival Practice (Open tryout) |
Practice (Selected Showcase) |
Train Rome-Milan |
Practice (Selected Showcase) | Departure | Late departure | |
| Afternoon | Early arrival |
Arrival Practice (Open tryout) |
Practice (Selected Showcase) | Sightseeing (freetime) | Practice (Selected Showcase) | Departure | Late departure |
| Evening | Early arrival | Coaches roundtable | Recruiting meetings | Coaches roundtable | Recruiting meetings |
Contact: JESICA
+39 3463062524 (Whatsapp Preferred)
jesica@sportlinx360.com
IN PREVIOUS EDITIONS:
- Lara Del Core 2023 edition; currently at VCU (Virgina Commonwealth University); All-Atlantic 10 Conference Second Team and All-Conference Rookie Team in her freshman year.
- Amanda Caputi 2022 and 2023 editions; currently at Colby Community College; NJCAA First Team All-American during her freshman year.
- Nadine Zech 2022 and 2023 editions, currently at The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. WAC All-Freshman Team in 2023.
- Giulia Bonifacio participated at the Showcase 2022, she was recruited by Binghamton University and in her first season overseas she was named East Coast Region Freshman of the Year, All-Second Team and All-Rookie Team America East Conference; in 2024 she transferred to Florida Soutwestern State College and won the NJCAA D1 National Title. Currently playing and finishing her degree at Louisiana Tech University.
- Giorgia Walther and Lucrezia Lodi participated in our Showcase in 2019 and 2021 respectively, both were recruited by coach Joanne Persico and are currently student-athletes at St. John’s University (NY). In 2023 Lucrezia Lodi was All-Big East First Team and All-Tournament Team.
- Alessia Sgherza attended the Showcase in 2019 and started her collegiate career in the US in 2020 at Old Dominion University; Second Team All-Conference USA in 2020 and 2021 seasons.
- Chiara Cucco participated in the 2018 and 2019 editions of the Showcase where she was recruited to start her student-athlete career at Hofstra University, NY; All-CAA First Team in 2024; CAA Libero of the Year and All-CAA First Team in 2022; CAA Libero of the Year, All-CAA Secon Team and CAA All-Rookie Team in 2021.
- Tatijana Fucka, 2017 Showcase edition; NEC Conference Champions with FDU in 2023 for the first time in the program history; Northeast Conference Player of The Year in 2023 and First Team All-Conference in 2023 and 2022.
- Rebeka Fucka, 2017 edition; recruited by Coastal Carolina University where she completed her undergraduate degree and then moved to Fairleigh Dickinson University; in 2023 she was named Second Team All-Conference.
… AND MANY MORE
