This focus was emphasized at the GPPI team's Grand Launching event held at Wisma Kebomas Petrokimia Gresik, East Java, on Tuesday, as a sign of the team's readiness to welcome the 2026 Proliga season which begins on January 8.
Iwan Febrianto, Chairman of the Petrokimia Gresik Volleyball Association (PBV), said that this season's team development is focused on balancing individual quality and collective strength, supported by experienced coaches and players.
"We've strengthened the team with two foreign players, Oleksandra Bytsenko from Ukraine and Annie Mitchem from the United States, who have already trained with the team. Both have extensive competitive experience," said Iwan.
He explained that Oleksandra Bytsenko had led Jakarta Pertamina Fastron to the grand final of the 2023 Proliga and was among the top five scorers in the Philippine League. Meanwhile, Annie Mitchem previously played in the Philippine League and the 2025 Proliga.
Iwan said Alessandro Lodi was chosen because of his experience managing Asian clubs, thus understanding the character and culture of regional volleyball. He is supported by assistant coaches Pedro Lilipaly and Niko Dwi Purwanto.
GPPI coach Alessandro Lodi said his team will emphasize collective work and a continuous process in every match.
"Every club wants to win, but the most important thing is how the team works, makes the right decisions, and improves with each match," he said.
GPPI Senior Team Manager Haris Tunggul Uji Prasetya added that the team composition was designed through careful selection by combining young players, national players, and foreign players according to the coach's needs.
GPPI Mediol team captain Stiovany Yoku said the team's preparations were going quite smoothly even though several players were still attending the national team training camp.
"Communication within the team is going well, and we are optimistic about the 2026 Proliga," he said.
