Schwerin, Germany, April 27, 2020 – Germany women’s national team will have to continue its upwards trajectory at the international volleyball scene without its main setter and leader as Denise Hanke has announced the end of her playing career.
In an interview with the German Federation website, the 30-year-old setter announced her decision to leave the sport at the end of the club season. Hanke was the captain of the country’s national team and accumulated more than 240 matches with the Germans, several of them happening in major international competitions, such at the 2018 FIVB World Championship, the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and multiple editions of the FIVB World Grand Prix.
“This decision has been made long ago,” she revealed. “It was the hardest decision I ever made and I struggled with it for a while. My time with the national team was very special. I got to play so many matches, to visit several places and to meet some of the most amazing people. A feel that volleyball is a big part of my life, but this phase is now completed. The memories will always remain in my mind and my heart.”
A left-handed setter, Hanke ended her career playing by winning the 2019-2020 edition of the German Supercup for SSC Palmberg Schwerin, where she started playing in 2007. The veteran also defended Turkey’s Eczacibasi and Poland’s Volley Wroclaw.
Opposite Louisa Lippman, who shared the courts with Hanke both at the club and national team levels, commented her decision to leave the sport.
“I will miss her a lot both on and off the court,” the opposite said. “Not also her funny personality or her unique dance moves, but also the friend who was always available to listen and help with any problem. She was always 100% committed and we will also miss her game and her magic left hand, but behind the player there’s a person with a huge heart that will be missed in the volleyball world.”
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Source: Volley - fivb.org
