Loeppky makes move to Italian volleyball powerhouse

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This article was published 28/05/2024 (344 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In the recent history of Italian volleyball, there hasn’t been a club more successful than Cucine Lube Civitanova. Their men’s team boasts five championships in the last decade in the country’s top division, along with two more appearances in the finals.

And starting next season, they’ll boast a Steinbacher in attack, as Eric Loeppky signed a two-year deal with the club, becoming the franchise’s second-ever Canadian player.

“Their legacy is probably the best in the world in the last 10 years in terms of championship wins in Italy and champions league,” Loeppky said.

“What drew me to them, honestly, was they wanted me.”

Loeppky turned heads this season for Vero Volley Monza, helping the team to appearances in three league championships this season, even defeating Lube in the league quarterfinals in a five game epic.

Lube’s future star made an impression in game one, as Vero Volley stole home-court advantage on the back of a 28-point man of the match performance.

“Having the practical demonstration of his qualities was the only happy note of an afternoon ended by Lube with a defeat,” a translated statement from general manager Beppe Cormio reads.

“On that occasion we experienced first-hand the certainty of having purchased a player who will be a protagonist in Civitanova and will be a protagonist in the next SuperLega.”

Loeppky was set to continue for Monza next season, but Lube decided to buy out the Canadian international’s contract and sign him to a two-year deal.

“It was basically a no-brainer for me career-wise,” Loeppky said.

“It’s definitely a different lifestyle than being in Milan, it’s more of a small-town, being close to the sea. It made sense to me and my family, so we took the leap.”

Since graduating from Trinity Western University in 2020, Loeppky has spent his entire career playing in the SuperLega, widely considered the best volleyball league in the world.

Before beginning with Lube, Loeppky has plenty of business to take care of in a different uniform. He’s currently in Turkiye (Turkey), playing for the Canadian Men’s National team in the nations league.

After that tournament finishes, he’s in line to be part of the starting lineup for Canada at the Paris Olympic Games this summer.