Liis Kullerkann
Estonia
Liis grew up in Keila and switched to Volleyball at 15 years old, after nine years in Athletics, with her main focus being on the high jump.
Her volleyball career started in Audentes, a sports high school in Estonia, after which she received a scholarship to play and study in a Division I college in the US and stayed there for five years.
After college, Liis accepted her first professional contract in the Philippines and moved on to play half a season in Germany. Then, she stayed in Germany for another year and then moved on to play in 5 different clubs in the French Ligue A and is currently competing in the Italian A2.
She has been with the national team since 2013 and, since then, competed in record holding 113 matches for her country. Her sister Kadi is also a National Team member, and last season they both represented the same club - Cremona Esperia.
"I am very excited to have Eurovolley come to Estonia! It is a chance to show top-level Volleyball to our youth. Hopefully, it will make more young players see a future for themselves in Volleyball as I did many years ago when I first saw our national team compete internationally. I believe this event is crucial for advancing women's Volleyball in Estonia."
Quick Fire
● What do you like to do in your free time? Explore new places (cities, nature, cafes etc.)
● Where is your favourite place in the world? Home!
● What was the last thing you learnt? I just finished my Duolingo for the day in Italian!
● What is your favourite food? Something spicy
● What is your greatest strength? Determination and standing up for myself
● What is your favourite movie? The Intouchables (original French version)
● Who is your hero? My mom and strong female leaders.
● What cheers you up? Sunshine, coffee, good company, anything competitive
● Why do you play Volleyball? I´m passionate about sports and love challenges. I love travelling, and all that comes with it
● Why is your shirt number what it is? 5 - it was given to me by the national team. I have had many different numbers in clubs - 6, 13, 15, and 10, but I always returned to 5. Fun fact, in Estonian, "5" is "viis", which also rhymes with my name - Liis-viis!
● Who is your favourite Volleyball player to watch? I always love watching Isabelle Haak. I also really enjoyed watching Gabi and Carol at the last World Championships
● Which team do you love playing against? Estonia-Finland is always a guaranteed 5-set match!
● Who will win EuroVolley 2023? Probably Serbia
"The last edition of Eurovolley Men was organized in Estonia and was a great success; I hope to have a similar atmosphere for the Women’s tournament. As for the team’s performance, the players are motivated and already working hard to do their best at home in August."
Honours List
National Team (senior):
Historical (first ever for Estonia) qualification for the 2019 EuroVolley (finished 23rd).
Club:
2021/22 Pays d'Aix Venelles, France Ligue A - 3rd
2020/21 Volero le Cannet, France Ligue A - French Cup Silver
2019/20 TalTech, Estonia - Baltic League - Silver
2015/16 SWE Volley-team, Germany 2. Bundesliga - Silver
2010-2014 Ohio Volleyball, USA Division I - 2010, 2013 Champions, NCAA tournament qualification
Individual Awards:
2019 Ukraine International Cup - MVP (National team)
2019/20 Baltic League - Best Middle Blocker
2017/18 International Tournoi de 36 Communes - Best Middle Blocker; Tchalou International Tournament - MVP