Leilani Slacanin stands out on the volleyball court, easily recognizable by her wide smile and significant height. However, beneath the friendly exterior is a formidable athlete, a talented outside hitter who unexpectedly played a key role in Germany securing a place in the Round of 16 with a match remaining in the preliminary stage.
Germany finished the preliminary round with 13 points, ranking second. They were tied with first-place Croatia but had a slightly less favorable 4-1 win-loss record. Their next match in the Round of 16 is against the defending champions, USA, scheduled for Tuesday at 9:15pm local time.
Leilani initially joined the team in Osijek, Croatia, as a reserve outside hitter behind coach Justin Wolff`s primary choices, Leana Grozer and Maria Tabacuks. Yet, just four games into the competition, she has emerged as a crucial player for the German squad.
Her elevation to the main lineup was partly due to an ankle injury sustained by Grozer in their opening Pool A game against Croatia the previous Wednesday. Nevertheless, her ability to seize this opportunity is undeniable; the 192cm outside hitter embraced the chance fully.
Starting with a modest 6 points in the 3-2 loss to Croatia, Leilani quickly became Germany`s top scorer against Egypt, achieving 15 points in their 3-1 victory. She matched this tally in the 3-1 win over Mexico and contributed an impressive 12 points in the dominant 3-1 win against Thailand. This made her the unexpected star for Germany during the preliminary phase.
Leilani commented, “I expected my playing time would come as a substitute, but it didn`t really matter to me. I was prepared to support my teammates, whether I was on the court or off. It makes no difference if I start or come off the bench; I always give my maximum effort to assist my team.”
She added, “I believe stepping up in crucial moments is a quality I possess. My mother always taught me to be ready and demonstrate my capabilities. So, if I get an opportunity, I am determined to utilize it and perform my best.”
As a child, Leilani explored various activities like ballet, judo, and gymnastics. However, her return to volleyball seemed inevitable, especially given her family`s deep involvement in the sport.
Her father, Drazen Slacanin, was a beach volleyball player for Germany. Her mother, Tonya Williams, was a distinguished player for the USA national team in the 1990s. Her older brother, Fabijan, currently plays as an outside hitter for the German club TuB Bocholt.
“I tried other sports, but they didn`t really appeal to me,” Leilani stated. “When I joined my mom, it was incredibly fun, making volleyball an easy choice.”
Leilani vividly remembers, “I spent a lot of time in the gym because I would go with my mom to training sessions when she was coaching TV Hörde. I also watched my brother play in many tournaments, and my mom coached me too, which was genuinely enjoyable.”
Leilani honed her foundational skills at TV Hörde, supervised by her mother Tonya, before being recruited by Sparda BSP Stuttgart at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season.
Reflecting on her early development, Leilani said, “I trained with my mother for numerous years, and there was no special treatment. In the gym, she treated me just like the other players. At home, she maintained her toughness as a mother.”
Although her mother is no longer her coach, Leilani emphasizes that their connection remains strong.
Leilani shared, “My mom offers me advice before matches, which I try to apply. When I return home, she provides feedback on my performance. But if I prefer not to discuss it, she respects that and we talk about something else.”
“My dad gives me suggestions on how I could have improved, while my mom is a little more reserved because she understands the feeling of playing even better than my dad does,” Leilani explained.
The 16-year-old is now signed with the German Bundesliga club Allianz MTV Stuttgart but is remaining grounded despite her rapid ascent to the senior level.
Leilani, a Grade 10 student at Wirtemberg-Gymnasium in Stuttgart, commented, “I`ve trained with them for the past year and I`m simply thrilled to be officially part of the team and have the chance to play some matches. My focus is on this team and completing high school; I have three years left. After that, I`ll consider what comes next.”
An examination of Leilani`s World Championship statistics so far (48 points) reveals another dimension of her game. She is progressively developing into a versatile player, having recorded 37 spike kills, 7 blocks, and 4 aces.
“I genuinely enjoy passing,” Leilani said, “because a good pass simplifies everything for me. It helps me get into the rhythm of the game easily. My arms are quite long, which gives me an edge, allowing me to hit over blocks or find effective solutions that are long.”
“Blocking was quite challenging for me last season, but I`ve dedicated training to it, and it`s improving. I also like taking risks, so I aim to get a strong swing on the ball when serving, especially if the toss is good.”
As Germany advances to the knockout stage, Leilani is undoubtedly one of the key players coach Wolff will depend on. She is confident they can defeat any opponent if they perform at their peak in the elimination rounds.
Leilani shared, “We are a really strong team. We have a lot of talent, and our team chemistry is fantastic. Our initial objective was to successfully navigate the group phase, and then see what follows.”
“Our first game was somewhat challenging to get into, but we`ve steadily improved. We understand our capabilities and those of other teams. If the matches become even tougher, we can adapt our level. We can win against stronger teams if we give our absolute best effort.”
Ultimately, Leilani`s aspiration is to compete for Germany in the Olympic Games. She doesn`t need to look far for inspiration; her “role model” is her mother, Tonya, who participated in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, earning a bronze medal in Barcelona in 1992.
“My ultimate dream is the Olympics because, naturally, it`s the goal of every athlete,” she stated. “I just want to experience what it`s like to be there.”
“I don`t watch a lot of volleyball, so my greatest source of inspiration is simply my mom. She consistently tells me I can achieve it if I train diligently and take care of my physical well-being,” she added with a smile.
And when she reaches the Olympics, one certainty remains: she will be wearing her signature smile. Why wouldn`t she?
“I am naturally a happy and optimistic person, so it comes easily,” she explained.
“I love playing volleyball and always want to enjoy myself on the court. It`s vital that I maintain this approach, because if I`m not having fun, nothing will work!”
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood