With the Sicilian team he reached the Italian serie A1 (first division) then he trained Modena Volley.

In summer 2007 the Italy women's national volleyball team arrived third at Grand Prix and won its first European Championship.

At 2008 summer olympics the Italian team managed by Barbolini was defeated by the USA at the quarter-final match.

In 2009 he led the Italian woman volleyball national team to the victory at European championship.

In 2011 he led the Italian national team to the victory of 2011 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup