Marlon Yant and Zenit Win Bronze at 2025-2026 Russian Volleyball Superliga

May 3, 2026

Cuban volleyball star Marlon Yant Herrera and Zenit Saint Petersburg claimed the bronze medal at the 2025-2026 Russian Volleyball Superliga on May 2, 2026, defeating Lokomotiv Novosibirsk 3-0 in the decisive fifth game of the series, with set scores of 25-18, 25-18, and 25-22.

The win closed a tightly contested best-of-five bronze series that had been level at 2-2 going into the decider — Lokomotiv had won the first and fourth matches, while Zenit took the second and third. The fifth and final game on May 2 left no doubt, with Zenit controlling all phases of play to seal the bronze.

Yant, 24 years old and 2.05 meters tall, was one of Zenit's key offensive weapons throughout the season. In the decisive bronze-medal match he contributed 11 points, once again delivering when it mattered most.

The bronze caps a season of highs and lows for Zenit: despite fielding one of the most talented rosters in the league, the Saint Petersburg side fell in the semifinals to eventual finalist Dynamo Moscow, losing three of four matches in that round. However, the team responded strongly in the bronze playoff, with Yant as a cornerstone of that recovery.

For Marlon Yant, the Superliga bronze is another milestone in a career that has positioned him as one of the most complete outside hitters in world volleyball. He was the top scorer of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League preliminary phase with 237 points, a decisive contribution to Cuba qualifying for the VNL Finals for the first time in their history. With the Superliga season now over, Yant will return to the Cuban national team for a packed international calendar that includes the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026.