They joke with each other off the court, and when a team photo is taken, it’s usually one where the two young women appear with wide smiles because of yet another joke from the other.

Noor Debouck and Britt Rampelberg are simply two best friends, who on the volleyball court fight for one spot in the team, since both are the liberos for the Yellow Tigers. They are barely five years apart in age, but that doesn’t dampen the fun. “Creating a good atmosphere in the team, even when we’re not on the court,” is how Noor describes her extra task in the group.

And next season, a bit unexpectedly, Britt will be playing in the American professional league with Atlanta Vibe.

Britt Rampelberg: “It all happened really fast. On Wednesday, with the Yellow Tigers in Maaseik, I didn’t have a team yet. On Friday, my manager, former player Matias Raymaekers, asked me if I was interested in playing for Atlanta Vibe. The next day I was already on the phone with their coach, and by Sunday everything was arranged. I didn’t even know they had a professional women’s team in the United States, but this will be their third professional season. The competition starts in January – with preparations in December – and runs until May. So I have time to recover a bit after the World Championships with the Yellow Tigers. After earning my diploma in ‘Sports and Exercise’ last year at the Thomas More institute in Turnhout, I’ll probably have time to add a ‘Marketing’ degree there now.”

“That’s right. After being champion for four years with Asterix, I tried my luck with the Romanian Alba-Blaj. I trained a lot there under a Serbian coach, because there really wasn’t much to do in the town itself. I started in the Champions League, but gradually there were problems in the team. Injured players and the rule that at least two Romanians had to be on the court sometimes meant I played less.”

With the French club Venelles, you achieved very good results again…

“Absolutely. We reached the semi-finals in both the cup and the championship. I had a great time and was even named MVP of a match there. But at the end of May, there were rumors that the financial problems were bigger than we thought. The team went bankrupt, as did Nantes, the number two in the French league. It was very late by then to still find a new team.”

“After our last practice matches against Slovenia, we left for Thailand in time to acclimatize. With the summer days in Belgium, adjusting to the temperature went quickly. The hall was a bit less optimal. But I think we arrived in Phuket with a lot of confidence. Our first opponent will be Cuba. Due to visa problems, they could not participate in their preparation tournament. Initially, they had ten players, but then their selection was supplemented with girls who had taken part in an under-23 tournament. So it’s hard to say exactly what their team will look like. And who will be important for them.”

Perhaps an advantage that they made their selection so late?

In addition to Britt Rampelberg, the Belgian team still has another libero to rely on: a younger, but equally lively edition of Britt, namely Noor Debouck. A 20-year-old bundle of energy who started her volleyball career at Vlamertinge, where her mother and three sisters also helped make a name for themselves. Meanwhile, she has become Belgian champion three times with Asterix, with whom she also won four cups. If you ask her where she lives, she giggles. “People sometimes joke about it, but I live in Madonna, a hamlet of Langemark/Poelkapelle.”

Would you – just like Britt – like to try your luck abroad one day?

“As a libero, it’s not so easy to find a place somewhere. Next season I want to win another trophy with Asterix, so I’ll stay home with mom and dad a bit longer. But after that, I’d definitely like to give it a try. That must be an experience too.”

You’re ‘only’ 20 years old and you’re in a very young group. Isn’t that a disadvantage?
“Of course it’s good and useful that we have some experienced players in the group. But having some relatively less known, but talented, younger players can also be an advantage in my opinion. We keep a fresh mindset and the coach always has a ‘new’ team to rely on. Plus, the main thing with the Yellow Tigers remains: never give up until the last point is played. Keep fighting for a good result. I think there’s a good ‘vibe’ in this team, and hopefully we can prove it at the World Championships by reaching the next round.”

Text: Marcel Coppens
Photos: Rudy Pollé