Canadian rising star Vernon-Evans joins Perugia

PERUGIA, Italy, May 14, 2020 – Sir Safety Perugia added another piece to its collection of stars as the Italian giants signed 21-year-old opposite Sharone Vernan-Evans for the 2020-2021 season. The Canadian international played for Consar Ravenna last season. 

The 2.05-m tall Vernon-Evans is enjoying a fast rise on the international scene as his first professional club was Poland’s Warsaw Orlen in 2017. In the 2020-2021 season, he’ll share the courts with stars such as Polish outside hitter Wilfredo Leon and Serbian opposite Aleksandar Atanasijevic, who are also part of Perugia’s roster. 

“I’m looking forward to start my new adventure,” he told the club’s official website. “I can’t wait to start working with this great group, with coach (Vital) Heynen and the amazing players. My main priority is continuing my development as a player and I’m confident that with Perugia I’ll get better on and off the court.” 

Using his athleticism and physicality, Vernon-Evans has quickly become a key member of the Canadian national team that will compete at next year’s Olympics. Playing for head coach Glenn Hoag’s team since 2017, he helped the North Americans take silver medals at both the 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League and the NORCECA Championships, where he was awarded the best opposite award. 

Perugia has been very active in the transfer market as the Italian team has recently added a pair of international-caliber players to its roster.  

One of them is 28-year-old middle-blocker Sebastian Sole.

The Argentinean, who represented Calzedonia Verona last season, is a two-time Olympian, having appeared at both the London 2012 and the Rio 2016 Games. Sole, who has also played in Argentina and Brazil during his career, was the best middle blocker of the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Cup. 

Italian setter Dragan Travica will also play for Perugia next season. The 33-year-old veteran, a London 2012 Olympian, arrived from Kioene Padova, and will replace Argentinean Luciano De Cecco, who joined reigning FIVB Men’s Club World Championship winners Cucine Lube Civitanova.