from editorial staff
Wout D’HeerBelgian headquartersIt’s TrentinoShe was the main host of the eighteenth episode of the season of “RTTR volleyball“ Weekly magazine of the media partner for Trentino Volley, in which the sports coach Itas Trentino also took part Nadia Centoni. In the interview, conducted by Sara Ravanelli, D’Heer first spoke about the space he’s found in training lately: “Lisinac is a fundamental factor for us, but playing the last two games against Kedzierzyn-Kozle and Monza was nice and important for me, also because there were positive results and a good collective team performance in both“.
“The challenge in Poland – continued D’Heer – allowed us to beat what had become sort of a black beast in the last period, while on Sunday’s Vero Volley gave us our first home win of 2023 and it wasn’t that obvious as we actually only had one practice set up for the Meeting. I’m happy with what I’ve done, but I know I certainly lack the high-level experience compared to podrascanin and lisinac; it’s easier for both of them“.
The Trentino team is in good health, as the Belgian confirms: “Recovering from a key disadvantage, like the 21-24 third set win against Monza on Sunday, is a difficult feat. We did that thanks to good work in serving, blocking, defending and above all thanks to great concentration. Luckily, volleyball gives you those comeback opportunities if you just keep your mind on each action“.
“January was a difficult month for our team – D’Heer admits – We played a lot of games, we lost two important ones, like at home against Piacenza and against Cisterna, but in the end we achieved all the goals we set ourselves: second place in the SuperLega ranking and qualification for the quarter-finals of Champions league“.
The centre-back feels in his second season in Trento that he is growing: “Compared to when I arrived in Italy a year and a half ago, I think I’ve improved a lot, including on serve. I’ve been working a lot on the service and now some fruit is arriving; In Kedzierzyn-Kozle, for example, I managed to be more consistent. Limiting mistakes is definitely my goal. The foundation where I feel strongest is certainly the block, while in attack I certainly have more room to grow. I know my role well and I’m trying to make the most of this opportunity“.
“In the beginning it wasn’t easy to integrate – D’Heer admits – because I didn’t know the language everything is easier now because I understand and speak Italian well. Also in Trento I get along well with the group; It is an ideal place for playing volleyball“. Finally, the gaze wanders to Del Monte Coppa Italia: “In Rome we will play a semi-final at the end of February, which is anything but a given as we lost the only previous game of the season at home to Milan. The thought of Perugia is therefore not on our minds at the moment, also because Piacenza are a good team and anything can happen in a dry semi-final. Step by step“.
(Source: press release)
