National coach Kris Vansnick announced the longlist this past weekend for the upcoming summer campaign of the Yellow Tigers. The list includes 31 players, from which a core group of 18 will be selected on May 14 to start the first part of the summer. While this group prepares for the top competition of the summer, a group of younger talents, under the guidance of Robin Blondeel, will work on the long-term goals within the Yellow Tigers program.

Three-part mission for summer 2025

The summer of 2025 will be a crucial period for the Belgian national women’s team, with three clear, result-oriented goals:
Reach the Top 8 at the World Championship in Thailand (late August)
Retain a spot in the world’s Top 16 in the prestigious Volleyball Nations League (VNL)
Qualify for the 2026 European Championship, in a pool with teams such as Denmark and Hungary
After an impressive performance last year, in which the Yellow Tigers won bronze in the European League, they secured promotion once again to the Volleyball Nations League. A major milestone, as after two summers of absence, the Tigers return to the highest international level.

Volleyball Nations League: top level as first challenge

The VNL, where the 18 best countries in the world compete, is the first major assignment of the summer. This year features a renewed format with twelve matches in a round robin system. The stakes are high: the bottom team will be relegated to the European League.
In the early weeks of the tournament, the Yellow Tigers will face opponents of similar level in the world rankings. The coaching staff is aiming for some key wins to secure their position.

Balance between experience and talent

Just like last summer, the Yellow Tigers want to give opportunities to young, emerging players. By allowing them to gain international experience already, the physical load on the more experienced players can be reduced. This is crucial with the main goal of the campaign in mind: the World Championship.
With a mix of experienced internationals and talented youngsters, the Yellow Tigers are going all out for a successful summer. Preparations start on May 14 in Leuven.

Longlist:
Setters:
VAN SAS Elise
KRENICKY Charlotte
NAGELS Lara
VAN GEERTRUYDEN Lien
NEUFKENS Romane
ENGELS Annelore

Outside Hitters:
HERBOTS Britt
DEMEYER Nel
STRAGIER Manon
GILSON Helena
COS Kaat
RADOVIC Tea
VAN ELSEN Eline
LUYTEN Pauline
STRUMILO Dominika
MAES Flore

Opposites:
MARTIN Pauline
BERTELS Saar
VERHELST Liese

Middle Blockers:
LEMMENS Nathalie
VAN AVERMAET Silke
KOULBERG Anna
FRANSEN Britt
WAELKENS Anke
JANSSENS Marlies
HUMBLET Charline
HAUBEN Sarah
WOUTERS Yana

Liberos:
RAMPELBERG Britt
DEBOUCK Noor
DEBOUT Jasmine