With her towering frame and ever-present smile, Leilani Slacanin is hard to miss on the volleyball court. But behind that cheerful demeanor is a rising star—an outside hitter whose breakout performance has helped propel Germany into the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship.
Germany wrapped up the pool stage second in Pool A, tied on 13 points with unbeaten Croatia but trailing on a 4-1 win-loss record. Their next challenge? A high-stakes clash against defending champions USA on Tuesday at 9:15 PM local time.
Slacanin didn’t arrive in Osijek, Croatia, as a starter. Coach Justin Wolff had penciled in Leana Grozer and Maria Tabacuks as his preferred outside hitters. But when Grozer suffered an ankle injury in the tournament opener, the door opened—and Leilani stepped through with authority.
After a quiet start with six points in the narrow 3-2 loss to Croatia, the 192 cm teen quickly found her rhythm. She top-scored for Germany in back-to-back 3-1 wins over Egypt and Mexico, each time posting 15 points. She added another 12 points in the win against Thailand, helping Germany secure their spot in the knockout rounds with a game to spare.
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“I thought my opportunities would come as a substitute, but I was ready to help however I could,” Leilani said.
“Starting or not doesn’t matter to me—I’ll always give my best.”
Her readiness is no coincidence.
“Rising to the occasion is something I’ve always had in me,” she added.
“My mum taught me to always be ready—to show what I’ve got when the chance comes.”
Volleyball in Her Blood
Slacanin’s path to volleyball seemed inevitable. Though she dabbled in ballet, judo, and gymnastics, she eventually returned to the sport that runs in her family.
Her father, Drazen Slacanin, played beach volleyball for Germany. Her mother, Tonya Williams, represented USA’s national team in the 1990s—winning bronze at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Her older brother, Fabijan, is also an outside hitter for TuB Bocholt in Germany.
“I didn’t like the other sports much,” Leilani admitted.
“When I trained with my mum, it was so much fun. I’d follow her to training sessions at TV Hörde and watch my brother play too.”
It was at TV Hörde where her career began, under the strict—but supportive—guidance of her mother. Despite their family connection, Tonya made no exceptions.
“There were no favors,” said Leilani.
“In the gym, she treated me like any other player—and at home, she was still tough like any mum would be.”
Though her mother is no longer her coach, their bond remains strong.
“Before games, she gives me tips. After, she’ll review my performance—but if I don’t want to talk about it, she respects that. My dad offers technical advice too, but my mum understands how it feels emotionally, maybe even more.”
Eyes on the Future—With Feet on the Ground
Now officially part of Allianz MTV Stuttgart, a top-tier club in the German Bundesliga, Leilani is keeping her goals grounded. A Grade 10 student at Wirtemberg-Gymnasium in Stuttgart, she’s focused on balancing volleyball with academics.
“I’ve trained with Stuttgart for the last year, but I’m just excited to be officially part of the team and get some game time,” she said.
“For now, I want to focus on this team and finish high school—then see what comes next.”
Her numbers at the World Championship speak volumes. Across five matches, she’s racked up 48 points—37 spike kills, 7 blocks, and 4 aces—while also showing steady growth in her all-round game.
“I love passing because a good pass helps me get into the game easily,” she explained.
“My long arms help me hit over the block or find creative angles.”
“Blocking was a challenge last season, but I’ve worked hard on it. I also like taking risks on my serve, especially when the toss is good—I go for it.”
“We Can Beat Anyone”
As Germany prepares for the knockout stage, Slacanin has become a key figure in Coach Wolff’s strategy—and a symbol of the team’s potential.
“We’re a really good team with a lot of talent. The chemistry is amazing,” she said.
“We knew our first goal was to get through the group stage—and now, anything is possible. If we play at our best, we can beat any team.”
Ultimately, Leilani has one dream that towers above the rest: the Olympic Games—following in her mother’s footsteps.
“My biggest dream is the Olympics. I want to know what it feels like to be there,” she said, smiling.
“My mum is my biggest inspiration. She always tells me I can do it—if I work hard and take care of my body.”
And when that moment comes, rest assured: she’ll take the court with that signature smile.
“I’m naturally a happy person. I just love the game and always want to have fun. If I’m not having fun, nothing works!”
