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RSU men’s volleyball team ready to begin its fourth season in the National League

Match

On 17 October, RSU men’s volleyball team will play their first match of the 2026/2027 season. The match will take place at home, at the RSU Sports Centre. This will be the team’s fourth season in the National League.

The team was established in 2023 under the name RSU/LSPA (Rīga Stradiņš University/Latvian Academy of Sport Education). From the outset, head coach Arnis Reliņš has led the team, working tirelessly to build the squad and recruit players.

In 2025, the team changed its name to RSU after the Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE) became part of Rīga Stradiņš University as a result of the consolidation. Currently, at least 90% of the players are RSU students, demonstrating that high-performance sport can be successfully combined with studies.

For the second consecutive year, head coach Arnis Reliņš has been assisted by Atvars Ozoliņš, who is both a coach and a player on the team. This summer, Atvars and RSU student Gustavs Auziņš, a multiple European and world champion, won the beach volleyball competition at the European Universities Games. Atvars previously represented Latvia at national-team level and also served as team captain. Since stepping away from professional competition, he has focused more on coaching and has already proven his ability in this role.

Eight teams, all from Latvia, will compete in the National League this season. In previous seasons, teams from Lithuania also took part, but none will compete in the league this year.

The RSU team has also undergone some changes. Several players from last season have chosen to continue their careers elsewhere, prioritising their studies. We would like to express our sincere thanks to every player who has represented the RSU men’s volleyball team to date.

Head coach Arnis Reliņš on the team’s goals and preparations for the new season:

‘This season, I expect us to fight for victory in every match and for medals in the final standings. As for the team’s current level of preparation, we still have a lot of work to do. The team is new, and there are several areas that need improving and fine-tuning so that everything goes to plan on court. We will continue working throughout the season to achieve our goals.’

This season, Raivis Gutāns has been elected the team’s new captain. Last season, he proved himself not only as a talented player but also as a leader and a great teammate. 

RSU team squad for the 2026/2027 season:

  • Libero: Markuss Maculēvičs, Ralfs Andrejevs

  • Setters: Marsels Mārcis Jonass, Edvards Drezovs, Klāvs Putenis

  • Middle blockers: Toms Mārtiņš Smilga, Roberts Ofkants, Marats Selivanovs, Jānis Ločs, Andrejs Bikovs, Matejs Počeleitis

  • Outside hitters: Raivis Gutāns, Valters Ķirsons, Markuss Graudelis, Artūrs Pastars, Mārcis Bērziņš, Olivers Bulgačs, Atvars Ozoliņš

  • Opposite hitters: Nils Daniels Prauls, Rūdolfs Semjonovs, Aleksandrs Birks, Kristians Puķītis

This season, the RSU men’s volleyball team will play its home matches at its new home venue, the RSU Sports Centre, 3 Cigoriņu iela, Riga.

Upcoming matches:

Home: 17 October 2026 at 18:00 vs VK Vecumnieki

Away: 31 October 2026 at 13:00 vs VK Jelgava

Watch live streams of the matches on the team’s Instagram account: @rsuvolejbols
 

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