“Better to stop at the top than continue into decline”
Nine seasons at Asterix Avo. Six cup victories, seven national titles — and possibly an eighth this Sunday. Named “Player of the Year” and recently “Star of the Game.” From the Yellow Tigers to the CEV Champions League: Manon Stragier has seen and experienced it all. Earlier this year, she announced her retirement. The time has come.

“The emotions will come after”
In January, you surprised the national press by announcing your retirement. Back then, the end still felt far away. Now it’s suddenly very close. Are you already feeling emotional?

Manon Stragier:
“My full focus is on the next final. We’re leading 2–0, one win away from the title. In such an important match, there’s no room for emotions. If things go smoothly, like in that third set on Thursday, you can briefly look around and enjoy it. But when it’s tight — like in the first two sets — you’re in a tunnel: tactics, opponent, execution, focus.”

And yet, fans are wearing T-shirts spelling out your name — M-A-N-O-N — with hearts. Family and friends in the stands. A club embracing you as captain and figurehead. Emotion is getting closer.
“I try to block it out. It can be distracting, and the moment is too important. The emotions will come after the final whistle. Of course it means something. Volleyball has given me lifelong friendships. But this title race is too intense to get sentimental now. Roeselare has already pushed us — some sets were very close.”

“In Belgium, you often have to figure things out yourself”
Who shaped your career the most?
“It all started in Wevelgem, with a strong youth system through my father and Dirk Dobbelaere. At the volleyball school, Fien Callens had a big influence. Then my first period at Asterix Avo, where I was amazed by Gert Vande Broek’s tactical insights. And of course Kris Vansnick during my second spell — I worked with him the longest. His impact is huge. In between, Luc Engelschenschilt gave me opportunities at Michelbeke and Ghent. I’ll never forget that. And teammates matter too — Sarah Smits was a real role model.”

Your generation took different paths.
“That’s a key difference. In Belgium, you often have to juggle everything yourself. In countries like Italy — look at Britt Herbots or Silke Van Avermaet — everything revolves around volleyball. It’s their profession. Here, there are more distractions, and that shapes careers.”
“With today’s maturity, I might have chosen differently”

You also had chances to go abroad.
“Yes, about four years ago. But I chose security and my familiar environment. Now I sometimes think that with the maturity I have today, I might have taken that step. In the meantime, I met Jari, and that also influenced my decisions.”

A new chapter with Jari De Busser.
“We barely see each other now — just a few hours a week. We want to change that. He’s at the start of his career, I’m at the end of mine. This feels like the right moment. And about Club Brugge — I know as much as you do. Football decisions come late.”

“I don’t want to compromise”
The gap between volleyball and football remains large.
“Absolutely. But I’ve had so many great moments. I still love playing, but I don’t want to compromise. I’d rather stop at my peak than continue until things decline. And I also want to grow further in my marketing career.”
“Nothing is decided yet”

What about the play-offs?
“It’s not over. It’s a best-of-five. Roeselare is still dangerous. They’ve handled Nikita De Paepe’s absence well with Janne Deleu. And there’s young talent like Lune Hoste. On our side, we’re waiting on Helena Gilson after her injury. Kaat Cos stepped in very well. But we can still improve as a team — and that’s what drives us toward an 18th title.”

For Manon Stragier, the final dance has begun. Perhaps already this Sunday, in front of a packed arena — one last effort to end her career in style.

Text: Walter Vereeck
Photo: bevograaf