The Yellow Tigers leave on Thursday for the European Championship in women’s volleyball in Azerbaijan with only two setters, Elise Van Sas and Lara Nagels. That used to be different in the era of the Van de Vyver sisters, and with Krenicky, now injured, in the squad. Other setters were not considered good enough.

But Lara and Elise are not bothered by that. They are certainly not inexperienced: both are 29 years old, they differ by exactly 6 cm in height, and with their club teams Suhl and Asterix they achieved remarkable results last season. No reason to worry, and they proved that in the recent friendly matches against Hungary and Slovenia, where they led the Yellow Tigers to five wins out of five.

Blonde Elise, the slim and easy-going player from Turnhout, however, puts these friendly results into perspective. “Of course it was important to get as used to each other as possible and to keep testing certain systems, but Hungary is a team still under construction, while Slovenia did not seem to be at full strength on the first day. That changed on the second day, because then they proved why they earned their place in the VNL. They played much better, while we had too many ups and downs. In the end we won, and that is positive because before the start of the European Championship we had to deal with a lot of resistance.”

You didn’t play a bad VNL, but maybe also too many ups and downs there?
Elise Van Sas: “The aim of our participation in the strong VNL (Volleyball Nations League) was to ensure survival, and with four wins we managed that. We had no illusions about beating top teams like Italy and Turkey, but we did make some mistakes against opponents like Ukraine, Czechia and Germany, and against them we lost a lot of points for the world ranking, which dropped us to 16th place. Add to that that Russia’s points count again, and that means we urgently need to win several matches to have a chance again of becoming candidates for the Olympic Games.”

Is it true that in the recent friendlies you hardly got to play?
“I think I proved my value in the VNL, but in recent weeks Lara was preferred. That is the coach’s choice! I get along very well with Lara, and with her at the setter position things went well too. When I got the chance to come in, I could only do my very best.”

Not frustrating?
“Everyone goes with the Yellow Tigers to be on the court. But in the national team it is simply the case that the best team plays. If I come in, I just have to seize my chances. Of course I also want to help the team as well as possible, so that they can continue for a while with me at the controls.”

We have followed you for many years and we have seen you play excellent matches, but sometimes also some weaker ones…
“Indeed, it is not always easy, match after match or season after season. A setter does not depend only on her own performance. As an athlete you always do your best to perform as well as possible. Sometimes it works, sometimes it comes out less well. That is part of top sport. You train so many hours to have as few difficult moments as possible. Usually that works, but as a player you also always want to get better. Anyone who does not want to accept that had better stop playing volleyball.”

You have been playing at the highest level for more than 12 years now, how can you still improve?
“By playing a lot of matches. Especially at a high level like in the VNL. Or by watching top matches. But also through super training sessions, where for example you have to deliver 500 very precise passes. Even when you sometimes lose, you have to draw your conclusions from that. Especially when it is against teams at a World Championship or against teams ready for the Olympic Games.”

In what way do you think you can bring something extra to the Yellow Tigers compared to Lara Nagels?
“I may block a bit better and I can also be important at the net with my 1.88 m. Well, we both have a different playing style and a different mentality. One can bring calm to the team, the other can bring more enthusiasm and take the team more by the hand. We can also surprise opponents with different types of balls in attack.”

Can we say that you should at least be able to reach qualification for the next round, or even a place in the top two of the pool?
“Largely agreed, but of course we have to reach our own level and not underestimate anyone. That already applies to our opening match against Spain. We must not let them get into the match; they play at a fast tempo and they have some strong middle blockers. A good start would be positive. It has been a while since we played Portugal and back then we usually won against them. But we are not a team like Italy, who win matches with their fingers in their nose, no matter who is on the court.

Romania could be another key match to reach the top 2. Azerbaijan has home advantage, has some older players and possesses a different style of play. On paper we should beat them, before we can perhaps create an upset in the derby against the Netherlands.”

Do you think that afterwards, as a team, you will still have many chances of winning?
“Let’s first finish the pool matches well. Match by match, and then we will see further, with possibly Slovenia, Hungary, Latvia, Germany, Poland or Turkey as opponents.”

A bit further ahead, because you signed for another season in the Belgian league with Asterix. That still has to be combined with a job and a relationship?
“Only four players from last season remain. I am really curious to see how we will manage that with several ambitious young talents in the squad. And with our new coach Frederik De Veylder I have always enjoyed playing. I still work part-time in a lab and I am engaged to my boyfriend, who himself went to the top sports school. He knows what it all involves and is my biggest supporter.”

You played one year in France at Terville-Florange, but you did not hesitate to return to Asterix?
“Terville was a nice experience, but maybe not the most suitable club for me. I trained a lot there, there was excellent physical support and I got a taste of a year living abroad. Although Terville is only just beyond Luxembourg. But when you go abroad, you have to find the right club. And Asterix I know by now. We will see what it brings at the end of the season, but first the Yellow Tigers.”

Text: Marcel Coppens
Photo: Volleyball World