Lianga signs with Swedish professional team

Former Brock Badgers men’s volleyball player Sauli Lianga has signed his first professional contract. 

Lianga will be joining Uppsala Volleybollsällskap  after signing with the team on Saturday, June 22. An announcement was made by the team’s social media accounts on Wednesday, July 3.  

“What it means for me to go play professional volleyball is to be able to bring the things I have learned to a new team and try to go as far as possible with them,” Lianga said. “I am incredibly grateful for everything that I have experienced at Brock, and I am looking forward to creating memories on and off the court.” 

Uppsala is the fourth largest city in Sweden and the club competes in the Elitserien. Elitserien is translated to ‘the Elite League’ and is the top volleyball league in the country, with their season beginning in late September. 

During his five-year Brock career, Lianga competed in 70 matches and 215 sets. He placed second on the team in total kills and total points in both the 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons.  

“We are very excited for Sauli and the next chapter of his volleyball career,” said head coach Ian Eibbitt. “Signing a contract and playing professionally has been goal for him all along.” 

With Lianga as a key outside hitter, the Badgers made the playoffs on three separate occasions. The Fonthill, ON product was named to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West Rookie Team in 2019-20.  

“This just demonstrates that good things happen to great people,” Eibbitt added. “I can’t think of a more humble or harder working athlete who has always put our program first. The entire men’s volleyball team are proud of him and are grateful for his contributions during his tenure here at Brock.” 

Last season, Uppsala Volleybollsällskap placed eighth in the 12-team league ultimately falling to eventual silver medallist Floby in the quarterfinals. 

Follow Lianga and his new team on Instagram and through their official website.