In a recent conversation with journalist Elena Kovalenko from Чемпионат, Ekaterina Lubushkina, the captain of the Kaliningrad-based Lokomotiv volleyball club, offered her perspective on the impressive resurgence of Zarechye-Odintsovo during the current season.
Lubushkina expressed genuine happiness for the city, its dedicated fanbase, and the team itself, which she acknowledges has a storied name and a history of achievements. She specifically noted her delight at seeing the club once again competing at the highest level, emphasizing that it's impossible to remain indifferent given her own nine-year tenure with the organization.
While celebrating the team's current success, Lubushkina also reflected on the past. She voiced a note of regret that this positive turn of events did not occur under the leadership of former long-time coach Vadim Anatolyevich Pankov. She credited Pankov for his years of dedication, noting how he worked tirelessly to keep the club afloat during challenging times, persuading players to persevere and finding arguments to retain talent and secure results.
Despite the change in leadership, Lubushkina's primary sentiment is one of joy for the players. She highlighted that the squad has demonstrably improved upon their performance from the previous season, calling this progress a significant and commendable achievement. Her comments underscore a respect for the club's history and a recognition of the hard work that has fueled its current standing.
The captain's words paint a picture of a club that has successfully navigated a transition, building on a foundation of past efforts to achieve new competitive heights. Her perspective, coming from a former long-serving member, adds a layer of personal history and emotional investment to the team's sporting narrative.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.