Allianz Team Blog Between defense and farewell – my special season in Düren

When I look back on the past season with SWD powervolleys Düren, I think of a very special path that led me into an equally special role. And of a chapter that is now coming to an end.

When I came to Düren for the 2024/25 season, it was clear: I would start the season as the second man in this position behind our established libero Sho. I was ready for that job, I wanted to be part of this top team that has high goals and pushes each other – and at the same time I wanted to find out what I still had in me as an athlete.

Because the road up to this point was anything but straight. I learned to play volleyball at TuB Bocholt at the age of ten, spent my entire youth there – and at just 18 I moved to the 1st Bundesliga for the first time. It was not easy: on the court things went okay at first, but the club had financial problems that led to a forced relegation. But I always had my home in Bocholt, could go back there and carry on at a solid second-division level. I am still very grateful to my home club and everyone there for that.

After a few years in Bocholt I wanted more and moved to the Solingen Volleys, won the 2nd division title with them and got promoted. Alongside that I completed my bachelor’s degree in sports science and played one season with the Volleys in the 1st Bundesliga. It was not the happiest stop for me: we won almost nothing on the court, and things were shaky behind the scenes. Still, I learned a lot. Including that I can play volleyball at a high level without neglecting other parts of my life. There were further offers from other top-flight clubs, but after those experiences I chose a dual master’s program and another return to my home club.

After a few years the fire was back and I moved to TuS Mondorf. Three years, three titles in the 2nd Bundesliga – that was a formative time. But at some point the moment came when I felt: I want to play in the 1st division once more, but this time for a club that is at the top level both on the court and in its structures.

I was in touch with Tomas Kocian-Falkenbach anyway and had helped out at training every now and then – and then the door opened. I am very glad we found a way for me to combine my job as marketing manager at WePlayVolleyball with professional sport. That double workload was demanding, but also a unique opportunity.

The season started quietly for me – here and there I came on as a serving specialist, because we initially had some injury problems in the team. I got to play a full match as libero for the first time against VCO Berlin, and I think I did a pretty good job. But I had not fully arrived yet and was not playing freely. That simply took its time. The decisive turning point was the double-header weekend against Karlsruhe and VCO Berlin again. There I was entrusted with the role of defensive libero for the first time and could show what I can do. I felt: this is my element. I can help the team with my defense and give it the decisive push at the right moment.

This specialist role became established over the rest of the season. Together with my fellow libero Sho we found a system that was new to us – but it worked. I know it was not easy for him at first. We talked openly, and it made me all the happier when he told me in the last few weeks how much he had enjoyed this new split.

Thinking of the defensive and the reception libero separately has its advantages: you can focus even more on your own task and organize the team, and above all there are suddenly two little bundles of energy bringing their energy into the team from the outside, not just one. In my view, that was very important for our rather quiet team this year. But the split also demands the highest alertness – physically and mentally. You get fewer touches, and your rhythm can suffer. Yet that was exactly the challenge I wanted to take on. Being there right on cue and deciding things with that one action! – Anyone who watched me on the sideline knows how hard I tried to stay switched on, physically and mentally ;-)

We stuck with it for the rest of the season. I grew during that time – as a player and as a person. I became more open and more confident, and I took on more responsibility. And I am grateful: to the coaches and the team, who placed a lot of trust in me. To my fellow libero Sho, with whom I got to share this role. And to all the fans, sponsors and helpers at the club who welcomed and supported me.

The sporting highlight? The DVV Cup final in Mannheim, of course. Digging balls in front of around 11,000 people at the SAP Arena was simply awesome. When I think back to the time from preparing for that match to waking up the next day with the silver medal next to me, a whole film full of goosebump moments plays before my eyes. Of course, the really big happy ending was missing – the upset the club longed for and deserved, and that we really came close to. But seeing my wife, family and friends in the stands, all wearing my old jerseys and cheering with a cardboard Lenni and home-made banners as if there were no tomorrow – that got under my skin, and I will never forget it.

After going out of the play-offs against Friedrichshafen, it became clear to me: that is it. The season was good on the court – but for me a chapter ends here. I felt that I no longer want to carry on with this double workload of a job and top-level sport. Even though I feel that I was on a really good path as a player, my priorities have shifted.

I will not extend my contract. I say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. To the fans who supported me. To the sponsors, the staff, the whole team. Thank you for letting me work my way in and show what I can do. Thank you for letting me make mistakes. Thank you for the energy, the trust, the kicks up the backside.

Düren has shown me: it can be done differently. It can be done better. And that is exactly how I want to end this chapter – with a good feeling. I am staying in volleyball, albeit in a different role. And we will definitely see each other again in the arena soon.

Thank you for everything.

Lennart

P.S.: In this role, too, I am staying in volleyball: I test lots of equipment for WePlayVolleyball and present my recommendations on my website (opens in a new tab). Feel free to have a look!