Marrit Jasper back for more in Baku, looking forward to playing side by side with sister Hester

The Netherlands have not finalized their squad for the upcoming CEV EuroVolley 2026 Women just yet, but there is a certain possibility that the team will feature two sisters, both bronze medallists of the previous EuroVolley in 2023 – Marrit and Hester Jasper. Furthermore, the older one, Marrit, is expected to be the only member of the Dutch team that won continental silver at EuroVolley 2017 in Baku returning to the Azerbaijani capital next week for her fifth appearance at a senior European Championship.

“I feel very excited about going back to Baku for EuroVolley 2026,” 30-year-old Marrit Jasper told cev.eu. “It’s always nice to come back to places, where I have been before, and now even more so because it’s where we got the silver medal.”

EuroVolley 2017 was Marrit’s first European Championship at the senior level and she was not among the team’s regular starters. However, she contributed to the successful second-place finish as a substitute and holds fond memories from that event.

“It was my first big tournament with the national team, so everything made a big impression on me,” the 1.80m-tall outside hitter said. “The city of Baku itself is big and very beautiful, right next to the sea.”

In fact, the Netherlands made the semifinals at four of the five most recent EuroVolley editions and Marrit was part of the team at each of its last four appearances. If she is selected for EuroVolley 2026, it will be her fifth (consecutive) participation.

Meanwhile, her sister Hester’s EuroVolley debut was almost accidental.

“I joined the team as an outside hitter halfway through the tournament in 2023, after one of our players got injured. We went on to win the bronze medal. What made the experience even more special was that I was able to achieve it together with my sister. Since the tournament was held in Belgium, our whole family was there to support us,” 25-year-old Hester told cev.eu.

So, EuroVolley 2026 could be the second European Championship, where the Jasper sisters compete together. They did so in this year’s Volleyball Nations League and were part of the Netherlands’ successful season, which included advancement to the Finals.

In Baku, the Dutch team is among the favourites to win Pool C. Currently number eight in the FIVB World Ranking and number four in the CEV European Ranking, the Netherlands are the highest ranked team in the pool, which also features hosts Azerbaijan, Belgium, Portugal, Romania and Spain. The top four in the final standings of this round-robin pool will advance to the eighthfinals.

“I am very excited for the upcoming EuroVolley,” said 1.75m-tall Hester. “This European Championship feels different. I am really excited about the possibility to be part of the team from the very beginning and to compete in my new role as a libero.”

“We have a young team and we are moving in the right direction. Qualifying for the VNL Finals gave us good confidence and we are ready to fight at EuroVolley!” stated Marrit. “⁠Of course, in Baku we will have a whole different team from the one in 2017, but our goals remain high – first, to arrive in the quarterfinals, and then, to focus on the semifinals.”

Naturally, both Jaspers are looking forward to the opportunity to play together at such a high level again, if they both get picked by German coach Felix Koslowski for the EuroVolley squad.

“Playing alongside my sister has always been a huge positive for me,” said Hester. “Rather than feeling any extra pressure, I actually feel more relaxed. She supports me a lot, gives me confidence, and always makes me feel comfortable on the court. Having her by my side is something really special.”

“To play side by side with my sister is something really special,” Marrit confirmed. “It is actually a dream come true to play together. I hope that our close connection can make a positive impact on the court.”