Stijn D’Hulst is a Belgian setter born on April 24, 1991, in Kortrijk. Volleyball World and CEV list him at 187 cm, and he wears No. 4 for both Knack Volley Roeselare and the Belgium men’s national team. A senior international since 2013, he has spent most of his club career with Knack while also playing in Germany and winning major Italian, European and world club titles with Cucine Lube Civitanova.
D’Hulst remains an active part of both club and national-team volleyball in 2026. His agreement with Knack runs through the summer of 2029, a contract that could take him to age 38, while his latest international season included Belgium’s return to the Volleyball Nations League and a run to the EuroVolley 2026 quarterfinals.
Player Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stijn D’Hulst |
| Date of Birth | April 24, 1991 |
| Place of Birth | Kortrijk, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Position | Setter |
| Height | 187 cm |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Attack Reach | 320 cm |
| Block Reach | 305 cm |
| Previous Clubs | Vlaams Beloftenteam, Knack Volley Roeselare, SWD Powervolleys Düren, Cucine Lube Civitanova |
| Current Club | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| Club Number | 4 |
| National Team | Belgium Men’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-Team Number | 4 |
| Senior National Team | Since 2013 |
| Senior Caps | 117 on the current Topvolley Belgium player listing |
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
D’Hulst began playing volleyball in Kortrijk at around six years old. His early development took him through Volley Team Kortrijk and VT Marke-Webis before he entered Belgium’s more structured high-performance pathway. He later spent time in Vilvoorde and with the Vlaams Beloftenteam, the national development environment that helped prepare young Belgian players for senior club volleyball.
His progression was relatively direct. By age 19, D’Hulst had joined Knack Roeselare and moved into one of Belgium’s strongest club programs. That step gave him access to domestic title races and regular European competition at an age when many setters are still working toward a stable senior role.
Kortrijk later recognized his sporting career through its United Spurs Awards. The city’s profile of D’Hulst traces the same path from his first volleyball years in Kortrijk through Roeselare, Germany, Italy and the national team, reflecting how closely his career has remained connected to the region where he began playing.
Club Career
Establishing Himself with Knack Roeselare
D’Hulst joined Knack Roeselare for the 2010/11 season and remained there for seven consecutive campaigns. The period turned him from a young Belgian setter into an established professional while Knack collected repeated domestic championships and cups and continued to compete in European tournaments.
Setter development can take longer than development at some attacking positions because responsibility is tied to reading the block, organizing tempo and managing several attackers rather than simply producing individual points. D’Hulst’s extended first spell with Knack gave him continuity within that role. By the middle of the decade, he was already part of a club accustomed to playing for Belgian titles every season.
His first Roeselare period ended after 2016/17. Rather than remaining in the domestic league, D’Hulst moved abroad for the first time.
Germany and the Move to Cucine Lube Civitanova
The 2017/18 season took D’Hulst to Germany with SWD Powervolleys Düren. It was a one-year stop, but it placed him in another professional league and directly preceded the largest move of his club career.
In 2018, D’Hulst joined Cucine Lube Civitanova in Italy. Lube’s roster placed him in a much deeper and more internationally decorated environment, and although he was not signed to carry the same starting workload he had handled in Belgium, the two seasons gave him experience inside one of the strongest teams in world club volleyball.
The 2018/19 campaign produced two major titles. Lube won the Italian championship and then defeated Zenit Kazan to claim the CEV Champions League. D’Hulst was part of a squad built around players such as Bruno Rezende, Osmany Juantorena, Robertlandy Simón and Tsvetan Sokolov, giving the Belgian setter daily exposure to elite-level attacking and blocking systems.
The following season added another two trophies. Lube won the 2019 FIVB Club World Championship and captured the 2019/20 Coppa Italia. The Italian league and Champions League campaigns were later disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, ending what became D’Hulst’s second and final season in Civitanova.
Those two years remain the most internationally decorated part of his club résumé: an Italian championship, a Champions League title, a Club World Championship and an Italian Cup.
Returning to Knack
D’Hulst returned to Knack Roeselare in 2020. The move reunited him with the club where he had spent most of his senior career, but he returned with considerably broader experience after seasons in Germany and Italy.
Knack continued to collect domestic trophies after his return, while D’Hulst resumed a central role in the team’s organization. One of the most distinctive European campaigns came in 2022/23. Roeselare eliminated Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza after a dramatic semifinal that required a golden set, advancing to the CEV Cup final against Valsa Group Modena.
Knack won the first leg of the final 3–0 in Italy, putting the Belgian club within reach of a major European trophy. Modena reversed the situation in Roeselare, however, winning the return match and then the golden set. D’Hulst and Knack finished as CEV Cup runners-up, one of the club’s strongest European results of the modern era.
Domestic success continued. By early 2025, D’Hulst had already accumulated nine Belgian championships, seven Belgian Cups and five Belgian Supercups across his Knack career. The 2024/25 campaign added another Belgian league title and cup, alongside success in the developing cross-border BeNe competitions.
Knack then won the 2025/26 BeNe Conference regular-season competition before finishing runner-up to Greenyard Maaseik in the Belgian championship series.
The club has also made D’Hulst part of its longer-term plans. A contract extension announced in 2025 runs through the summer of 2029. He will be 38 when that agreement expires, making it possible that the club where he established himself as a professional will also be the club where he finishes his playing career.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2009/10 | Vlaams Beloftenteam | Belgium |
| 2010/11–2016/17 | Knack Volley Roeselare | Belgium |
| 2017/18 | SWD Powervolleys Düren | Germany |
| 2018/19–2019/20 | Cucine Lube Civitanova | Italy |
| 2020/21–present | Knack Volley Roeselare | Belgium |
National Team Career
D’Hulst’s senior international record with Belgium stretches back to the 2013 cycle. That year became an important one for the Red Dragons: Belgium won the CEV European League after completing the competition unbeaten and defeating Croatia in the final.
The title formed part of a broader period in which Belgium pushed back toward higher-level European competition. D’Hulst remained involved across European Championship, World Championship qualification and other international cycles, gradually accumulating the kind of experience particularly valuable at setter.
His longevity became increasingly notable as Belgium’s roster evolved. Younger attackers arrived, including a new generation led by players such as Ferre Reggers, while established figures including Sam Deroo remained part of the group. D’Hulst continued to provide an experienced setting option across those changes.
By August 2024, the Belgian federation was already describing him as a player with more than 100 senior caps. Its current player profile lists 117.
Belgium’s 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship became one of the strongest senior tournament runs of D’Hulst’s national-team career. The Red Dragons defeated defending champions Italy during pool play and advanced through the round of 16 before Italy won the quarterfinal rematch. Belgium finished seventh, establishing a notable result for a team that had spent years trying to return to the upper tier of major international tournaments.
The following summer brought Belgium back to the Volleyball Nations League after an eight-year absence from the top annual international competition. D’Hulst appeared in the opening week of VNL 2026, playing four matches and recording two service aces.
He remained with the Red Dragons for EuroVolley 2026. D’Hulst started Belgium’s 3–1 opening victory over the Netherlands and was again required against Denmark on September 15. With Matthias Valkiers unavailable through illness, D’Hulst was Belgium’s only available setter and directed the team through another 3–1 win.
Belgium advanced from the pool and defeated Czechia 3–1 in the round of 16, reaching its first EuroVolley quarterfinal since 2017. D’Hulst contributed from the service line during that match before starting again in the quarterfinal against Slovenia. Belgium lost 3–1 on September 23, ending the tournament in the last eight.
Playing Style & Strengths
D’Hulst’s value as a setter is better understood through control and continuity than through conventional scoring totals. His job is to organize the attack, keep multiple options available and make decisions quickly enough that opposing blockers cannot commit comfortably to one hitter.
Experience is a major part of that profile. D’Hulst has worked through long stretches with the same club organization while also adapting to different systems in Germany, Italy and the Belgian national team. That range matters at setter because timing with attackers can vary significantly between teams, while the tactical responsibility of the position remains constant.
His career also shows a willingness to work within different roles. At Knack he has carried substantial responsibility across multiple title-winning periods. With Lube, he entered a deeper roster where minutes and responsibilities were shared differently. With Belgium, his role has moved between starting and experienced rotation setter depending on the tournament and available squad.
The EuroVolley match against Denmark in September 2026 provided a useful example of his reliability. Belgium entered the match without another available setter after Valkiers fell ill, leaving D’Hulst to manage the position for the full contest. The Red Dragons won 3–1.
At 187 cm, D’Hulst is not among the tallest setters in elite men’s volleyball, so timing and positioning matter at the net. The Belgian federation lists a block reach of 305 cm. He can still contribute directly as a blocker — including during Belgium’s 2026 EuroVolley quarterfinal — but his primary influence remains the quality of the team’s offensive structure.
Serving provides another way for him to contribute without turning him into a high-volume scorer. He recorded two aces during his four VNL appearances in 2026 and continued to create service pressure during EuroVolley. Those contributions complement rather than define his role.
The durability of his career is perhaps the clearest indicator of what teams value in him. More than 15 years after first joining Knack, he remains trusted by the club and by Belgium in a position where decision-making, communication and familiarity with teammates are central to performance.
Major Achievements
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | CEV European League | Gold medal |
| 2025 | FIVB Men’s World Championship | Quarterfinalist / 7th place |
| 2026 | CEV European Championship | Quarterfinalist |
Selected Club Honors
| Season / Year | Competition | Result | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 | Italian Championship | Champion | Cucine Lube Civitanova |
| 2018/19 | CEV Champions League | Champion | Cucine Lube Civitanova |
| 2019 | FIVB Club World Championship | Champion | Cucine Lube Civitanova |
| 2019/20 | Coppa Italia | Champion | Cucine Lube Civitanova |
| 2022/23 | CEV Cup | Runner-up | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | Belgian Championship | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | Belgian Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | BeNe Conference | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | BeNe Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 | BeNe Conference | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 | Belgian Championship | Runner-up | Knack Volley Roeselare |
The table highlights selected achievements rather than every domestic trophy from D’Hulst’s long career with Roeselare. His Knack résumé also includes numerous earlier Belgian championships, cups and supercups across his first spell and the years following his 2020 return.
Selected Individual Recognition
| Year | Competition / Award | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Belgian VolleyProms | Regular Season Dream Team — Setter |
Personal Life & Family
Knack Roeselare publicly announced in July 2023 that D’Hulst and his partner, Daniëlle, had welcomed their first child. Their son, Paulo, was born on June 30, 2023.
The club also connected the name Paulo with D’Hulst’s late father, Pol, who died in 2019. The announcement offered a rare public glimpse of D’Hulst’s family life, which otherwise remains largely separate from his volleyball career.
Where Is Stijn D’Hulst Playing Now?
D’Hulst continues to play for Knack Volley Roeselare in the 2026/27 season. His contract runs through the summer of 2029, giving the club long-term continuity at setter and positioning Knack as the likely final destination of a career that began there at senior level in 2010.
The 2025/26 club season ended with mixed results. Knack won the BeNe Conference but lost the Belgian championship final series to Greenyard Maaseik. The club now moves into another domestic campaign while also entering the 2026/27 CEV Cup.
D’Hulst returned to club duty after a substantial international summer. Belgium competed in the 2026 VNL and then reached the EuroVolley quarterfinals, where its campaign ended against Slovenia on September 23.
At 35, D’Hulst’s current role is therefore not simply that of a veteran retained for depth. He remains active in both the Knack and Belgium rotations and continues to start important matches when required.
Recent Performance Snapshot
| Date / Competition | Performance / Role |
|---|---|
| 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship | Part of the Belgium squad that reached the quarterfinals and finished seventh |
| June 10–14, 2026 — Volleyball Nations League | Appeared in four matches and recorded two service aces |
| September 11, 2026 — EuroVolley vs. Netherlands | Started at setter as Belgium won 3–1 |
| September 15, 2026 — EuroVolley vs. Denmark | Started as Belgium’s only available setter in a 3–1 victory |
| September 21, 2026 — EuroVolley Round of 16 vs. Czechia | Helped Belgium win 3–1 and reach its first EuroVolley quarterfinal since 2017 |
| September 23, 2026 — EuroVolley Quarterfinal vs. Slovenia | Started all four sets; Belgium lost 1–3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Stijn D’Hulst?
Volleyball World and CEV list D’Hulst at 187 cm. Some Belgian database listings use different measurements, but 187 cm is the figure consistently carried by his current major international competition profiles and historical CEV records.
What position does Stijn D’Hulst play?
D’Hulst is a setter. He has spent his professional career organizing the offense for Knack Roeselare, SWD Powervolleys Düren, Cucine Lube Civitanova and the Belgium men’s national team.
Which club does Stijn D’Hulst play for?
He plays for Knack Volley Roeselare in Belgium. After an earlier seven-season spell with the club, D’Hulst returned in 2020 following periods in Germany and Italy. His current contract runs through the summer of 2029.
What number does Stijn D’Hulst wear?
D’Hulst currently wears No. 4 for Knack Volley Roeselare and has also worn No. 4 with the Belgium men’s national team in current international competition.
What did Stijn D’Hulst win with Cucine Lube Civitanova?
During his two seasons with Lube, D’Hulst won the 2018/19 Italian championship, the 2018/19 CEV Champions League, the 2019 FIVB Club World Championship and the 2019/20 Coppa Italia.
How many times has Stijn D’Hulst played for Belgium?
Topvolley Belgium’s current player profile lists D’Hulst with 117 senior national-team caps. Because he remains an active international player, that number can increase with future selections and appearances.
References
- Volleyball World — Stijn D’Hulst VNL 2026 player profile
- Topvolley Belgium — Stijn D’Hulst Red Dragons player profile
- CEV — Stijn D’Hulst EuroVolley 2026 player profile
- City of Kortrijk — United Spurs Awards 2023 and Stijn D’Hulst career profile
- CEV — Belgium win the 2013 European League
- Cucine Lube Civitanova — 2018/19 season history
- Cucine Lube Civitanova — 2019/20 season history
- Topvolley Belgium — Modena win the 2023 CEV Cup final in Roeselare
- Focus WTV — Stijn D’Hulst extends with Knack Roeselare through 2029
- Topvolley Belgium — Red Dragons defeat Denmark at EuroVolley 2026
- CEV — Belgium vs. Slovenia, EuroVolley 2026 quarterfinal statistics
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Welcome Paulo D’Hulst
