What started modestly ten years ago in Baasrode, East Flanders, has grown into a European career with stops in Beveren, Mulhouse, and Busto Arsizio. Silke Van Avermaet has become a key player for the Yellow Tigers and is now a highly respected force in Italy’s Serie A1.

Yet the middle blocker has always stayed true to her roots: working hard and never stopping to learn. Silke Van Avermaet is living proof that dedication ultimately wins over raw talent.
“I’m still that modest girl I used to be,” laughs the 26-year-old volleyball player. “But I’ve learned to seize opportunities as soon as I felt ready. Maybe I could have taken certain steps earlier, but I don’t regret anything. Everything in its own time.”

From Baasrode to Busto
Her path reads like a handbook for young talents: a long development at Asterix Avo Beveren, then three years at Mulhouse in France (where she became captain), and last season the dream step to Italy. “In Mulhouse I grew, both as a player and as a person. The leap to Serie A1 was always a personal dream. Three Italian clubs reached the final stage of the Champions League—that says it all about the strength of the league.”

“In Busto I play with young, ambitious players, full of talent,” Van Avermaet explains. “Everyone is intensely focused on the sport. You feel the drive and will to improve every single day. Each training session is carried out with enormous dedication. That automatically lifts you to a higher level. Off the court, too, everything is positive: I’ve met warm, open people. Last year I chose to do the full pre-season with the team, and I felt immediately welcome in my new environment. This year, after the World Championship, I’ll return to the club as quickly as possible.”

Not a break, but an investment
During the final stage of the Volleyball Nations League, Van Avermaet deliberately slowed down—not to rest, but to recharge. “Together with my physical coach in Italy and the Belgian staff, I opted for a focused training period. Not a break, but an investment in my own body. Because that is my working tool. I didn’t hit the pause button, as some people thought, but rather the reset button.”

The national team middle blocker worked on her weaknesses, investing through power sessions in explosiveness and recovery. “I want to peak at the right moment. At the World Championship, and then immediately be ready for the Italian season.” Her vision is crystal clear: hard work beats talent. Not just a slogan, but a mission.

A new chapter as mentor
Van Avermaet has meanwhile become a cornerstone in the national team, which brings a new role. “You feel that young players like Tea Radovic and Liese Verhelst are eager to break through. It reminds me of myself, ten years ago—that same fire, that same drive. It’s wonderful to watch their progress.”
As an experienced player, she chooses active involvement. “We are responsible for the team culture. Not allowing the training level to drop, always keeping the bar high. But also: creating space to make mistakes, building trust, and making sure we enjoy ourselves. That balance is crucial.”

Next chapter
Qualification for the 2026 European Championship — secured in a vibrant Steengoed Arena in Maaseik after a fine win against Hungary — is in the bag. But soon comes the World Championship in Thailand, a huge challenge and the number one target for the Tigers.

“Why shouldn’t we dream and aim for the top eight?” asks Van Avermaet. “At the last World Championship in the Netherlands, we came close. Italy is now in our group—that’s no gift. They’re Olympic champions, number one in the world. But it’s also a benchmark. If we can finish second in that group, we’re on our way.”

In the same group stage, the Yellow Tigers will face Cuba—young, powerful, unpredictable—and Slovakia, a solid European mid-tier team. “But we also have our weapons. And more than that: we’ve gained experience in the Nations League. The match against Hungary showed what we’re capable of. The first set and a half were at a very high level. With the fans behind us, we displayed our potential. Afterwards it dropped a bit, that’s human. But the foundation is there. And so is the ambition. After the group stage, we’ll likely face Poland or maybe even Germany. If we can pull off a surprise there, the road to the top eight opens up.”

Before heading to Thailand, the team played a few warm-up matches against Slovenia, a final dress rehearsal. “A very solid opponent to conclude our preparation for the World Championship. We’re hungry. And we’re hitting our peak form at just the right time.”

Text: Walter Vereeck
Photo: Rudy Pollé
Yellow Tigers – First Round Program:
Friday 22/08 – 12:00: Yellow Tigers vs Cuba
Sunday 24/08 – 15:30: Yellow Tigers vs Slovakia
Tuesday 26/08 – 12:00: Yellow Tigers vs Italy
All matches will be broadcast live on national TV.