Modena, Italy. October 2, 2014 – As Italy celebrates their first Olympic medal in volleyball – the surprising bronze at Los Angeles in 1984 that gave birth to the Italian “Generation of Phenomenons” – former setter and coach Francesco “Pupo” Dall’Olio presented his new project: the “Setting Factory," an itinerant academy that will seek potential top class Italian setters and teach them the perfect setting technique.
At the press conference, hosted by Modena’s “World Championship Village”, Dall’Olio and local Federal President Luigi Tondelli identified the prototype of the technically flawless setter in USA’s Alisha Glass, formerly a player of the local SuperLeague team Liu-Jo Modena.
“I watched her practice with attention and I must say,” dall’Olio explained “that Alisha is the perfect prototype of the modern setter. Technically, but also for her personality: strong, but not intrusive and always aware of the delicate psychological balance that keeps a volleyball team united during the game."
President Tondelli added that “when I first saw Alisha play here in 2012 I wasn’t quite happy with her play. But now, apologies are in order: she grew so much, and proved to be a bright example of high-quality volleyball."
Why a “Factory” of setting, many asked at the press conference?
“Because here in Modena, big things came out of the smallest factory: Ferrari Cars, born from the efforts of a few passionate mechanics to become the most recognized brand in the world,” Dall’Olio explained.
And now the question is: who’s gonna be Italia’s next… Alisha Glass?