Last Sunday, the Yellow Tigers played their penultimate qualification match for the 2026 European Championship in Denmark (16-25, 24-26, 15-25 win). This Wednesday in Maaseik (8 PM), a win against Hungary should secure their ticket.
The Belgian women’s team is led by familiar names like Britt Herbots, Silke Van Avermaet and Nathalie Lemmens. But there's also a new face emerging in the spotlight: opposite Pauline Martin. In the final VNL match against the Czech Republic, she scored an impressive 31 points. She was the undisputed standout.
We got to know the cheerful, bilingual 22-year-old left-hander from Wallonia (1m89), who began her volleyball career at modest Floreffe near Namur and has already played three full seasons abroad — quite a remarkable journey.
At just 14, she debuted in Belgium’s top division with Charleroi, after playing for Namur and being selected for the AIF squad. She moved to the Topsportschool in Vilvoorde, spent three seasons with Asterix, one more year at Charleroi, and then began her international adventure: Vero Volley Milano, Germany’s Vilsbiburg (where she was top scorer in the Bundesliga), and most recently, with Allianz MTV Stuttgart, the reigning German champion.
Was it hard to move to the Flemish top sports school as a French speaker?
Pauline: “I quickly realised that if I wanted to make it in volleyball, I had to learn Dutch. The transition was tough — I was the only French speaker — but everyone helped me: students, teachers, even the staff at the dorm. I learned a lot there, especially about understanding my own body.”
Let’s be honest — when you first played for Asterix, some people doubted you…
“(laughs) I was only 16 and still learning so much! I didn’t play a lot, but it was a great opportunity. That’s why I returned to Charleroi for a year — to get more playing time.”
Then, to everyone’s surprise, you transferred to Milan at just 19…
“I wasn’t sure what to do, but my agent Julie Rumes helped make it happen. It was an amazing opportunity — one I probably wouldn’t get again.”
And it turned out well?
“I was nervous, but it went great. The staff were amazing. I’d give them a 19/20. That’s when I realised I really wanted to live for volleyball.”
Next came Vilsbiburg, a small town…
“A great team! I’m a social person, and I found that environment there. Being the Bundesliga’s top scorer was incredible. I really grew into my role.”
Stuttgart was a tougher season?
“Yes. Charlotte Krenicky, our setter, was injured for a long time. I had to compete with the American star Krystal Rivers, who played more than me. But I still got some important matches. Now that she’s gone, I have more responsibility — and I’m ready for it.”
Your strengths and weaknesses?
“I’m strong offensively, but defensively I still need to improve. At the Yellow Tigers, we’re working on that. The VNL helped a lot. Against France, we nearly won — but they suddenly had a powerful opposite from the US…”
Your best moment? That last match against Czechia?
“Total bonus! We played really well as a team. With Lara Nagels setting, everything just clicked. I could tell what was coming even with my eyes closed! I love her tempo.”
Big pressure being the only opposite?
“Hey now — Liese Verhelst joined us, and she’s really good! It’s much better having two of us — we can step in for each other.”
Beating Hungary — should be possible?
“They were once coached by Jan De Brandt. In the away match, we didn’t play our best. But with the home crowd in Maaseik, we should get the win. If we win both remaining games, we’ll move up to 14th in the world rankings — we’re currently 18th after the VNL.”
Your personal goals?
“I think we’ve grown as a team during the VNL. That could help us at the World Championship. Italy we know, but Cuba is still a mystery — they couldn’t participate in a recent tournament due to visa issues. We should have a shot against Slovakia.
Long term? My dream is to play in the Olympics. With this young, talented group, I believe it’s possible.”
Text: Marcel Coppens
Photos: FIVB/CEV