Volleyball team "Omicka" won't extend the contract with the current head coach.
Andrei Podkopaev, the main volleyball coach of Omsk club "Omichka," has departed from the team. The team announced the news on their social media platforms.
Podkopaev joined "Omichka" in the summer of 2024, taking over from local specialist Viktor Ushakov. Under his leadership, the team ranked 13th out of 14 in the Super League, causing match-playoffs against the Kursk team from the Higher League-A to be cancelled as the Kursk team refused to compete.
In the 2024 Russian Cup, "Omichka" finished second in their group but failed to progress to the quarterfinals. In cup competitions in the spring, the team impressed with a sensational qualifying stage victory, advancing to the second round of the playoffs and sharing 7th-8th place.
Several players, including Yan Cherednikova, Irina Soboleva, Olga Afonina, Elena Tkacheva, Tatiana Shchukina, Anna Miroshnichenko, and captain Anastasia Lopato, have also left the team.
While Om1 Omsk reported potential reinforcements for the Omsk team as early as February, no new player additions have been confirmed yet. The official website of the club or sports news outlets might provide more information on this matter.
What about the new sports coach for "Omichka"?The club's disappointing sports results might be the reason for Andrei Podkopaev's departure.
