After four matchdays in the Lotto Volley League, the balance of power is slowly emerging. Knack Roeselare and Decospan Menen sit firmly on top: four wins out of four, twelve points, the maximum.
Right behind them are Haasrode Leuven, a fast-rising Greenyard Maaseik, surprise package Brabo Antwerpen, and Tectum Achel, which squeezed itself into the top six.

“Too low if you ask me,” says Achel’s opposite hitter Michiel Fransen (23).

The young Red Dragon aims higher:
“Last season, Achel surprisingly finished third. We were the revelation of the year. We’re not at that level yet, but I hope we can reach the top four again. I’m eager to qualify once more for the BeNe Conference — the mini-league with the top four Dutch clubs.

The first edition against Lycurgus Groningen, Huizen, Dynamo Apeldoorn and Orion Doetinchem tasted like more. A fantastic initiative by the league. And geographically, Achel is perfect for it — the Dutch border is just a few minutes away. Since the 60s and 70s, dozens of Dutch players have shaped the history of Achel.”

Who is Michiel Fransen?
The opposite is from Merksplas in the Antwerp Kempen, from a real volleyball family. His father Michel played at Everbeur, Herentals and Genk. His younger brother Mathijs (21) plays for Merksplas in Promo 3.

At age 12, he left home for the volleyball school — first Leuven, then Vilvoorde.
“Not everyone chooses to go to boarding school that young. I’ve never regretted it. I received excellent training from Mieke Moyaert and Kris Eyckmans and formed strong friendships with Robbe Van de Velde (Aalst) and Liam McCluskey (Doetinchem).

We won the WEVZA, earned bronze at the European Championship, and silver at EYOF in Baku. I was called up very young by coach Zanini for the European Championship in Poland and the Olympic qualifiers in March 2025 in China (we just missed the Games after losing 2–3 to Bulgaria).
Now I'm in my sixth season at Tectum Achel. I owe a lot to former coach Jan Meertens, and I’ve continued to grow under Jan Vanvenckenray, Joost Weltens and Allan Van de Loo.
I still live at home — “hotel mum and dad” — everything is great. And I study sports & culture management remotely.”

Achel didn’t strengthen massively?
“Partly true. The club doesn’t do crazy things financially, and president Ben Schuermans is absolutely right.
Our level is similar to last season, despite losing Robbe Van Loon (Antwerp), Seppe Van Hooghten (Zoersel), Brecht Campforts (Genk) and Matous Drahonovsky (Maaseik).
The newcomers bring more stability:
– Berre Peters (ex-Aalst) as opposite
– Antony Moga (Antwerp) as second setter
– Martijn Colson (ex-Gent) as a quality, mature, experienced middle blocker
Unfortunately, Colson was sidelined (abdominal injury), and Jippe Schroeven has knee issues. Gijs Evens (RH Lommel) trains with us but plays with the B-team.

Our strengths? A young squad (average age 22.8), great height (195.8 cm on average; five players over two meters), excellent team spirit (two Germans, two Dutch, a Polish libero and nine Belgians) and a strong support staff of 14 specialists.”

Positive start in the league and the Belgian Cup.
“Yes. I was MVP twice, against Guibertin (3–0) and away at Aalst (2–3), where I battled their new Portuguese opposite Marques and finished the match on an ace.
We lost at Roeselare — no surprise. Verhanneman and Gewehr have a physically tough team with Dermaux, D’Hulst, Coolman, Deroey, Desmet, Espeland… all top players.”

Then Waremme beat you 0–3. A shock?
“Definitely. A complete off day. Reception collapsed, attack too. Laenen, Overbeeke and Van Dyck were flying. We were nowhere. No excuses. It’s a wake-up call early in the season. Three points thrown away. It hurts.”

Even worse: Waremme was your potential semi-final opponent in the Cup…
“Yes, and we lost a unique chance to reach the final. The defeat against Menen (2–3) still stings.
At the end of the tie-break: a serve just on the line, then another hitting the net and dropping in… everything went against us.”

Another big setback: the veto against the new hall.
“It’s unbelievable. The project was finally ready, and now the permit is cancelled again.
Residents keep objecting. The board is furious.
It’s a huge psychological blow — right before a tough November: Menen, Brabo, Maaseik, Leuven. Twelve points at stake, with three away matches. I hope we quickly rediscover the positive vibes.”
Those vibes will be needed for the CEV Cup.
“Yes, we're playing Hartberg (Austria) in the Round of 32. Away on 10 December, return on 7 January… but not in our own hall, because De Koekoek is too small. We’ll host the match in the Steengoed Arena in Maaseik.
And our own hall? Who knows… 2030? 2035? It’s crazy.”

Text: LP
Photo: Lotto Volley League