In recent years, the women’s Serie A2 has established itself as one of the liveliest and most unpredictable stages of Italian volleyball: a championship capable of providing emotions, but above all of helping new talents grow and highlight it, becoming a fundamental stage for many young promises. Among the most interesting protagonists of the 2025-2026 season is Dalila Marchesini, a central defender born in 2006, already known for her physicality and technical qualities despite her young age. After her debut in Serie A with US Esperia Cremona and the triumph at the Under 21 World Cup with the Italian national team, Dalila has chosen to undertake a new challenge with Tenaglia Abruzzo Altino Volley, a team with a “green” face, perfect for continuing to grow.
We caught up with her to get to know her better and to ask her about her journey, her impressions of her season, her ambitions and future goals.
To begin, tell us who Dalila Marchesini is, what volleyball means to you and how you discovered your talent for this sport.
“I consider myself a cheerful, determined, witty and perfectionist girl. I started playing volleyball at the age of 12 with my hometown team, Riviera Volley Rimini, mainly to get some exercise and make new friends. However, I believe that it was from the age of 14, when I decided to move to Modena to play for Anderlini, that a real change of mentality towards this sport took place: I began to take it more seriously, perhaps even as way to deal with the loss of my father.”
“My talent and passion for volleyball continue to grow, step by step. I have never been one of the most naturally gifted, but I have always worked with consistency and dedication in the gym, and I believe that this commitment is gradually shaping me, both as a player and as a person.”
What have been the most important stages of your volleyball journey to date?
“So far I have identified four stages that have marked important turning points in my journey: the transfer to Anderlini in 2020, the two youth championships won with Imoco in 2023 and 2024, and, to end on a high note, the triumph at the Under 21 World Cup last summer”.
As a center back, what do you think is your main characteristic? Is there a player you look up to in particular?
“Among my main qualities there is certainly physicality. As players, I admire Sarah Fahr, for her composure on the block and power in attack, and Robin de Kruijf, who impressed me with her arm speed and speed in moving to the block and recovering the run.”
After a nice period in Cremona, you chose to move to Altino. What convinced you to embrace the Tenaglia Abruzzo Volley project?
“For this season I was looking for an A2 team where I could best express my game and grow safely on the pitch, and in Altino I found exactly the right environment to do so”.
What is it like to work with a coach who is an expert in developing young players like Matteo Ingratta? In the first months together, did he give you any advice or guidance that particularly struck you?
“I get on really well with Matteo: he gives me confidence and security on the pitch. The advice I found most useful right from the start concerns the distance from the net in attack. It may seem like a small detail, but it has completely changed the way I perceive the pitch and take advantage of the available angles.”
What idea did you have of Altino after the first part of the season and what contribution do you think you made, also in light of your numbers?
“Being a young group gave us a surprise effect which benefited us in the first part of the championship. Now things have become more difficult, but even in this moment of crisis my trust in the team remains unchanged: I am convinced that we will still be able to give us a hard time. From an individual point of view, I believe I have made the difference especially in attack and blocking.”
What are the team’s ambitions and what are your personal objectives for the rest of the championship?
“At the moment, as a team, we are aiming to enter the Promotion Pool. Personally, my goal is to make my serve and block more stable, in order to make an even more important contribution to the team.”
In the summer you won gold at the U21 World Championship and were voted “Best Central” of the tournament. If you think about it today, what emotions come back?
“The whole tournament was unforgettable and I am really grateful to have had so much space on the court to express my game. Thinking back to the final and the awards ceremony, I still get chills with emotion: winning my first individual prize in a competition that I had dreamed of for a long time was an enormous satisfaction, which I never imagined I could achieve.”
Is there a match or an episode that, in your opinion, marked your mentality or made you grow as a team?
“One of the most difficult collective moments was the 3-2 defeat in the group against Turkey, but I think it was fundamental for our mentality. In fact, when we then took the field against China (in the quarter-finals, ed.), we had hunger in our eyes!”.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and dreams for the future?
“My goal always remains the same: to improve as much as possible, until I reach the maximum of my abilities. And, of course, my dream is to play in the best professional clubs, first in Italy and then, why not, also around the world.”
Before saying goodbye: is there anything about your life off the field that represents you in a special way?
“In my little free time I love spending moments with my family and my old friends. I also love cooking and taking care of the people I love.”
Interview by Alessandro Garotta
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