Igor Novara has announced in its official website the signing of Albanian youngster Erblira Bici. The soon to be 23-year-old is transferring from Italy’s A2’s Mondovi, where she spent the last two years developing her skills. She is a quite potent offensive power at the opposite position and frequently topped the league’s charts in scoring. Most recently, she led the Albanian national team to a bronze medal finish at the 2018 CEV Volleyball Silver European League, to the tune of 6 points per set, second only to A1’s current MVP Isabele Haak.
Here are her first words as a member of her new team:
“I am very happy to be able to play in Serie A1 and even more so with a prestigious club like Novara. It seems to me something surreal and magnificent. First, I expect to grow as a player and as a person, thanks to the proximity of top level athletes. Aims? In life you never stop growing and learning and this is even more true for me as a young woman and I can not wait to receive advice and suggestions from my new friends and staff. I’m excited about playing in the top league but at the same time I think I’m ready for a challenge that will surely be fascinating. Thank you for this, Mondovì with whom I spent two wonderful years in A2. I have to thank the club, the coaches and the players if today I have this exceptional chance. I know that for me now begins a whole new chapter: the A1 series and the Champions League dreams have become reality, as well as being able to play with so many champions. I am ready to work hard, to train and to give my best: I want to win and I will give everything I have to offer my contribution to the team.”
Novara’s coach Enrico Marchioni was likewise very excited:
“We chose to focus on Erblira trusting the fact that in spite of her young age, she was an absolute protagonist in two A2 seasons for her team. We believe she can carve out her space in the main league now. She is a talent that we hope to see grow even further by working daily with her very experienced and international teammates and our a top-level technical staff.”
Novara finished last season at the lead of A1’s standings with a 17-4 record, although it ended up losing to Conegliano at the finals. At her new club, Erblira will join Team USA’s Lauren Carlini and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley.
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