Israeli Women's Volleyball League Coaches Share Season Expectations

The Israeli Women's Volleyball Premier League is set to commence on Friday, featuring 11 teams including the newly added Hapoel Mate Asher. Ahead of the season opener, coaches from various clubs discussed their expectations, squad changes, and challenges.

Maccabi Ashdod, the reigning champion after securing a double last season, aims to maintain its dominance and establish itself as a consistent top club, while also focusing on a return to European competition. Coach Lior Lok emphasized the importance of team chemistry over individual player reliance, stating, "We built a team where everyone feels part of the same unit." The team seeks to be more aggressive and stable, with added depth and options to compete at a higher level, especially in Europe.

Runner-up Maccabi Hadera, led by coach Ania German, is focused on team cohesion in the first round with the ultimate goal of winning a title. German highlighted the excellent relationships between foreign and Israeli players and the team's strengthened reception structure and middle blocker positions.

M.S. Ramat Aviv, after a 10th-place finish in their debut season, aims for improvement and a spot in the upper playoff bracket, with reaching the semifinals considered a significant success. Coach Eden Pasternak noted upgrades in player quality and squad depth, enabling more impactful substitutions.

Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Ata, which secured eighth place last season, is targeting a mid-table finish, aiming for positions 5-7, and promoting young home-grown players. CEO Guy Holtzman mentioned strengthening the Israeli core with promising young players and the addition of an assistant coach focused on youth development. He also expressed curiosity about the league's overall level following the reduction of foreign players from four to three.

M.S. Eilabun's primary goal is to remain in the league, a challenge coach Saher Saman acknowledges due to professional gaps and the reduced number of foreign players. Saman stressed the importance of social integration for the younger foreign players and a unified team effort for success.

Maccabi Haifa aims to build a club with European standards within two years, competing in European tournaments and striving for domestic titles. Professional Manager Chaim Kessel highlighted the focus on improving training programs, coaching staff, and professional capabilities, alongside developing young Israeli players.

Hapoel Mate Asher, in its second season in the Premier League, seeks to be a competitive and stable mid-table team, with significant progress from its young players being a key measure of success. Coach Sean Kessel noted the team's integration and club development at the highest level.

Maccabi Tel Aviv's success this season will be measured by the development of Israeli players, with coach Noam Elbaz emphasizing the integration of six players from the youth department into the senior team. He also highlighted the team's strengthened outside hitter position and the role of assistant coach Yana Doroshenko.

Maccabi SVA Rehovot aims for the top of the table and the Final Four, with coach Israel Asher focusing on team cohesion and the integration of foreign and Israeli players. The team has made significant changes, particularly at the middle blocker position.

Hapoel Kfar Saba's main objective is to secure a spot in the upper half of the table and build a professional foundation based on club players for the future. Coach Itay Bacherach pointed to the team's reliance on homegrown talent, including eight players and a coaching staff that grew within the club.

Maccabi Bnot Nazareth's success will be measured by integrating more young players from the club into the senior team, providing them with playing time and proving their capabilities. Coach Anan Jerjura emphasized strengthening the Israeli contingent and expressed optimism about the team's potential.

The league structure includes a first stage of two full rounds, followed by a second stage where the top six teams compete in an upper bracket and the remaining five in a lower bracket. The knockout stage features a playoff semifinal series (best of three) and a final series (best of five).