Historic promotion complete: SV Sande writes success story in spized

As runners-up, SV Sande surprisingly achieve direct promotion to the Regionalliga – without relegation playoffs. In an interview with spized, player Katharina “Kathi” Schlichting talks about the special moment, the strong team spirit, and the excitement for new challenges.

The volleyball players of SV Sande will compete in the Regionalliga in the upcoming season.

Without relegation playoffs into the Regionalliga: SV Sande celebrates historic promotion

The women’s volleyball team of SV Blau-Weiß Sande has made club history: for the first time ever, a volleyball team from the club has been promoted to the Regionalliga. It is the crowning achievement of a successful season, which the team coached by Alexandros Sarmas, which is equipped by spized finished as runners-up in the Oberliga. Since champions USC Münster III declined promotion, Sande moved up without having to play relegation matches. The players received the joyful surprise via WhatsApp.

In the interview with Katharina “Kathi” Schlichting, the focus is on the special moment of promotion. We also talk about the team’s exceptional spirit, the challenges in the Regionalliga, and why a derby in particular is generating extra excitement.

Direct promotion instead of relegation: A WhatsApp message that changed everything

spized: How did you react when you found out that you were promoted directly?

Kathi: It was a bit crazy. Our team manager, who also plays in the team herself, sent a screenshot into our WhatsApp group. It showed an excerpt from an email by the league manager congratulating us on promotion. In the email, the league manager informed us that Münster would not take up its right to promotion and that we, as runners-up, would therefore move up – meaning we would not have to play relegation matches. At first, we were completely disbelieving and had to ask several times whether it was really true. Once it was confirmed, it was clear: we had been promoted, essentially on paper.

Honestly: would you have liked to play the relegation matches, or is direct promotion more convenient?

Both, actually. We were looking forward to playing the relegation matches together and ideally earning promotion on the court. Especially since we would then have been able to properly celebrate the achievement as a team. Instead, each of us was sitting at home when we read the message. It was still emotional, of course. On the other hand, we are also somewhat grateful that the season didn’t get prolonged any further.

SV Blau-Weiß Sande volleyball: team spirit as the key to success

Looking back at the season: Were there moments or matches that were particularly decisive, or when you realized this could become a special season?

We actually started the season without big expectations. Of course, we knew we could compete in the upper third of the table. The past seasons had shown that we were fairly well established in the Oberliga. One surprise for us was definitely the first match against Münster, which we won clearly 3–0. Once we were among the top teams after the first half of the season, things started to sink in. To avoid making ourselves nervous, we tried to block out thoughts of a possible promotion and focus on each individual match.

The defeat against Sendenhorst, which we hadn’t really expected, ultimately set us back. Sendenhorst played really well in that match and deserved to win. After that, it was clear that we could no longer win the title on our own. That was a bit of a downer. Münster ultimately became champions deservedly as well. Still, we are very happy with the runner-up finish. Overall, we achieved more than we had set out to at the beginning of the season. So we are very satisfied with how the season went.

Die Damen des SV Sande Volleyball feiern einen Punktgewinn.

Who in the team was your (secret) superhero this season – and why?

I would actually say that we delivered a really strong performance as a team. That’s why I wouldn’t single out any individual player, because we functioned well together and everyone always gave their all. I believe that was ultimately also the deciding factor.

three jerseys

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Respect for the Regionalliga, excitement for the derby

How big is the respect for the challenge of the Regionalliga?

It is definitely there. Moving up a league always means a new challenge. However, I believe we will handle it quite well. We have many players who already have experience at higher levels, including the 2nd Bundesliga, 3rd Liga, and the Regionalliga. For some of us, it is therefore not new territory. For others, of course, it is, but that also means they can benefit from the more experienced teammates.

We know that the opponents in the Regionalliga will be stronger. It will certainly not be the case that we win every match, as was often the case last season. We therefore need to prepare mentally for the fact that there will also be setbacks. I am very curious to see how we will handle that as a team. Nevertheless, I am convinced that we can establish ourselves in the Regionalliga. We want to give our best, collect as many points as possible, and see what is achievable.

Is there a match-up you are especially looking forward to?

Yes, especially the matches against our neighboring club VoR Paderborn. Some of us used to play there, and we know many of the players. The duel against Paderborn will definitely be a highlight, also because it is a local derby.

SV Sande volleyball excited about cooperation with spized

How satisfied are you with the kits from spized and the collaboration?

We are very satisfied. I have a dedicated contact person, Lea, with whom I regularly exchange ideas about content. spized really makes a lot possible.
We have jerseys, warm-up shirts, match-day jackets, scarves, socks, and even shorts – we are almost fully equipped. As a team, we are very grateful to have such a great supplier who doesn’t just say: here are the clothes, but where the personal collaboration and appreciation are especially important.

You are also currently designing promotion shirts. When will they be used for the first time?

There is still a team trip to Mallorca coming up. If the shirts are ready by then, we will take them with us. Otherwise, we are planning a season wrap-up in the summer, but at the latest they will be used at pre-season tournaments or at the start of the new season.

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