Schwerin (dpa/mv) – For Pia Kästner, the Bundesliga game of the volleyball players from SSC Palmberg Schwerin at Allianz MTV Stuttgart on Saturday is more than just a point game. It’s also a trip back into her sporting past. From 2017 to 2021, the new SSC player was on the field for the Stuttgart women, three times she reached the final of the German championship with MTV during this time, twice the opponent was Schwerin. Once Stuttgart emerged victorious from this duel – in the 2018/2019 season. It was the first championship for MTV, followed by title number two in 2021/22. However, without Kästner, who was active with the French champions ASPTT Mulhouse last season.

Now she is returning with Schwerin to her former place of work: the Scharrena. In view of the four years in Stuttgart, Kästner emphasized: “It’s a bit like coming home. It’s a cool hall.” But she is also looking forward to seeing familiar faces again. “Not only in the team,” she reveals: “You’ve also built up a small environment.”

However, this joy does not detract from the goal of extending the series of successes in Stuttgart. The fact that the SSC arrived with three wins and without losing a set was a cool feeling, the international commented on the sporting requirements, but conceded: “You have to say that we didn’t play against the top favourites.” The team wants to gain self-confidence. Kästner: “Then you just have to see what’s going to happen in the end.”

The 24-year-old praised coach Felix Koslowski in advance. “That she can bring in a certain amount of creativity, that she still thinks along with things that are happening there and can sometimes make unconventional decisions,” he said.