Lise Van Hecke spikes against Azerbaijan.
Bari, Italy, September 28, 2014 – Having had a great time playing for Italian clubs in the last three years, Lise Van Hecke felt at home here in Bari during the 2014 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship. The Belgian opposite hitter was one of the leading players who brought a title to Rebecchi Nordmeccanica Piacenza in the last season of Women’s Serie A-1 Championship. Before transferring to Piacenza, she had gone through training experience in Robur Urbino for two years until stepping up in the last season. Being on such an international stage and having a special feeling with the host country made her extremely comfortable at this prestigious international event. “Things are going really well here. I would suggest Italy to all my team-mates,” said Van Hecke. “Firstly, for the high-grade National Championship; secondly, for its beautiful cities and the food... I have lived in Urbino for two years and had really a great time. Despite not having had the chance to visit Bari yet, I have been told it is a nice city as well. I do feel at home here, which gives me an extra reason for trying my utmost in this World Championship.” Van Hecke scored game high 23 points on Saturday to lead her side to an important 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan. Taking part in the World Championship for the first time in 36 years, the Belgian women were one step away from making the second round. At the age of 22, Van Hecke has already been an impressive key member of the national team. She received the awards of the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Best Scorer and Best Spiker at the 2009 European Youth Championship along with the gold medal; She was also named the Best Scorer at the 2009 World Junior Championship and the 2013 European Championship with her team taking the bronze both times. “Our team is young. At the 2014 World Grand Prix this summer, we have been facing really worldwide top level teams such as Brazil and Japan,” Van Hecke said. “In Pool D we have quite met Japan and it is a real pity that we could not manage to go for points neither against them of China. Actually, we have shown that we are ready for the challenges such powerful teams call us to face. Earning points would have meant a giant leap forward to the Second Round. Now, we have to reset and try to win the last match. Moving to the Second Round is our goal.” After the World Championship, Van Hecke will go back to Piacenza along with her national team-mate Frauke Dirickx. The Belgian setter, who has already played in Serie A competing for different clubs (Vicenza, Reggio-Emilia, Sassuolo, Busto Arsizio and Conegliano), will make up with Van Hecke a world class diagonal. ”I am very happy to be playing with Lise next season,” said Dirickx. “She is a young high-level player and she can progress even better and better. I think it is always nice being in a team together with someone you know well and does speak your language. Once the tournament is over, I will put my mind on this new adventure at all.” In the upcoming season, Van Hecke and Dirickx will face another two members of the Belgian national side in the Italian Serie A-1 (Helene Rousseaux and Laura Heyrman, both playing for LJ Modena Volley since last year). “We are almost all here then... [laughs]. Joking aside, it is nice they are here as well. The Italian Championship will give them the opportunity to develop. I am sure we will not miss a chance to meet on and off the court especially!” Dirickx said.