She’s 30, nearly has a master’s degree in biochemistry, won the cup in Germany, and will soon head to Italy’s Perugia. But right now, Nathalie Lemmens is simply the quiet force and the voice of experience with the Yellow Tigers.

The VNL campaign started off rocky in China, but there’s more than just hope. With South Korea, Canada, and Brazil in sight, Lemmens looks back sharply and puts things in perspective: “We know what can be improved. But there’s a lot of potential in this group. More than people think.”

On Monday morning, she landed at Zaventem after an overnight flight from Beijing. A few days later, the suitcases are ready again for Istanbul. The life of an international volleyball player is a constant balance between finding rest and always being ready. For Nathalie Lemmens, the most experienced player in this young Tigers squad, it’s a role that suits her. Not the loudest in the group, but one of the anchors in turbulent moments.

Four matches in six days – China (FIVB 6), Thailand (FIVB 14), France (FIVB 20), and Poland (FIVB 4) – delivered one win, many lessons, and even more hunger. “Especially against France, we made mistakes, but that’s where we learn the most,” says Lemmens. From her base in Hasselt and her family home in Heusden-Zolder, she looks back and ahead to the rest of the Volleyball Nations League. And she’s already glancing at Italy, where Perugia awaits. But first: Istanbul.

You just played four matches in China. How do you feel after that first VNL week?
Nathalie Lemmens: “Mixed. There were good parts – especially against Thailand – but we also ran into our limits. Especially physically. France and Poland are very tough teams to play against. Big block, lots of power. Sometimes we want to get too caught up in their game, but that’s not our strength. It’s something we’re working on, match by match. We’re constantly evaluating – Kris (Vansnick, ed.) even sends videos during rest days.”

The match against Thailand showed a lot of resilience. Was that a turning point?
“Absolutely. Thailand isn’t an easy team: they play super fast, with lots of combinations. Blocking is tough, you’re often a step behind. Several countries struggle against them. But that was a match where we really performed as a team. Not just Britt Herbots (scored 32 points), everyone contributed, for example, Pauline Martin also scored 19 points (Lemmens herself scored 15, ed.). That felt great. We felt it could be done that way too.”

The loss to France, which was seen as a winnable match, was perhaps the biggest disappointment. What went wrong?
“We played their game. Too much focus on power, on hitting hard, instead of following our own plan. Britt mentioned it too: our service pressure was too low, which made block-defense tough. We came back well in the second set, but in the third set, everything suddenly stopped. A shame, because this was a winnable match. It stuck with us.”

Against Poland, you even had a set point in the third set. Does that linger?
“Definitely. We started poorly, but in the third set, we really got going. We had the momentum, but then their opposite Magdalena Stysiak, a real star, made the difference with two quick points and that was it.”

What do you expect from the next matches: Brazil (FIVB 2), Dominican Republic (FIVB 10), South Korea (FIVB 37), and Canada (FIVB 9)?
“It’s going to be tough. Brazil is maybe the team that inspires me the most and really fires up everyone’s imagination. I still remember the match at the 2022 World Championship in the Netherlands, a magical day. We won the first set but lost 1-3. They’re physical, but also super tactically strong. The Dominican Republic is a similar team: lots of power, lots of experience. South Korea and Canada are opponents we really have a chance against. Especially the Koreans, because their style suits us better. We definitely want to win that one.”

Which match do you see as ‘key’ in the second VNL week?
“Canada. Reportedly, they’re dealing with injuries and have a style we can counter. South Korea too, because their style and rhythm are similar to Thailand. If we get points there, we’ll be back in a good flow. In the third week, the match against Czechia is also marked in our calendar. That one should bring us three points.”

Let’s leave the VNL aside for a moment: congratulations on your move to Italy! You’re leaving the German league after two seasons to play in one of the world’s top volleyball countries, Perugia. What made the difference?
“I had a good time in Germany: we won the cup and I was able to finish my master’s in biochemistry. But Germany is gray and cold (laughs), while Italy has been on my list for a while. Perugia feels right and I know the area well. It’s just a warm volleyball environment, with a lot of passion and ambition. And I also see it as a reward for my good performances at Dresden. The first season was almost there, the second season really hit the mark. Besides winning the cup, we also finished second in the league and knocked out Stuttgart (with Pauline Martin and Anna Koulberg’s new club, ed.) in the playoffs.”

What do you take from your time at Dresden to the national team?
“Discipline, lots of technique. In Germany, the focus on details was huge. I thought as an older player I’d have to focus more on the tactical side, but I have to admit I’ve become even stronger technically. I bring that here, especially in my role as a more experienced player. Honestly, I’m grateful for my time in Germany. I really rediscovered my joy for volleyball there: every match with 3,000 fans in the hall, adrenaline, playing with a clear goal. That does something to you.”

Have you already been in contact with Perugia’s coach, Andrea Giovi?
“Yes, he seems like a very warm and engaging person. I’m really looking forward to it, because the team is ambitious.”

The top 4 in Italy seems untouchable, but below that, a lot can happen. Perugia brought in several other foreign players, while you, at 1.95m, are by far the tallest in the group.
“Oh, I didn’t know that (laughs). But look, I also know Mazzaro (middle blocker, 1.86m) and she has an enormous jump, so that’ll be fine. Perugia definitely wants to do better than last season, when they finished ninth. That’s why they brought in Nina Markovic (Slovenian, 1.85m) and Kashauna Williams (American, 1.86m) as new opposites, and the German Romy Jatzko is new on the wing. I’m really looking forward to it. In early September, I’ll head to the beautiful region between Florence and Rome.”

We checked: you’re about five hours from Novara, where Britt Herbots is going. Busto Arsizio, where Silke Van Avermaet plays, is even an hour further.
“Oh, that is quite far, but I’m sure we’ll see and hear from each other regularly. I’ve already asked Britt if she can teach me a few words of Italian. That’ll be a challenge too, but Italian isn’t such a difficult language, so I’m looking forward to immersing myself in a new culture.”

Back to the Yellow Tigers… Together with Britt Herbots, you’re a pillar of this team. How do you see that role?
“Bringing calm. Helping younger players feel comfortable. Sometimes it’s about small things: a chat, reassurance, just showing that making mistakes is okay. There’s so much talent in this group. Some are already getting a lot of chances, maybe sooner than I did at their age, but that’s good. There’s a generation coming that can take steps.”

Who surprises you in this young group?
“Tea Radovic. She’s super sweet, calm, but suddenly playing on a huge stage, because that position is now open. She knows there are things to work on, but she learns quickly and is growing. And also someone like Nel Demeyer: she can really make an impact. I strongly believe in this group.”

Coach Kris Vansnick mentioned it before the VNL, but what makes this tournament so important towards LA 2028? And are you already thinking about that as players?
“Yes, definitely. Why is the VNL so important? Because every point counts. You have to climb the rankings, because, like it or not, it’s our ticket to the Olympics. We’re currently 15th in the FIVB rankings, but we want to move up. And okay, we’ll have to do without Britt in the third week (Herbots is getting married, ed.), but that’s also the perfect time to show where we stand as a team. Three summers seems long, but it’s not. This tournament is tough, but at the same time perfect preparation for everything that follows: Euro qualifiers, the World Championships, you name it.”

And personally? What do you still dream of?
“Of a surprise match. One where everything comes together, where you really make a top team wobble. And of the Olympic Games, of course. That’s the dream. But for now: on to Istanbul. A surprise there? Then I’d say maybe Brazil. But let’s keep our feet on the ground and keep building this team, because it deserves it.”

VNL schedule – second week (in Turkey)
18/06: Brazil
19/06: Dominican Republic
20/06: South Korea
22/06: Canada

Text: Kenny Hennens