Marleen van Iersel

Who is Marleen van Iersel?

Marleen van Iersel is a Dutch professional beach volleyball player born in Breda.

She played indoor volleyball for a few years before she switched onto the beach in 2001. The first two years she played just for fun. In 2003 she was selected by the Sourcy Volleybalschool. Marleen impressed her coaches with her ambition, training hours and determination. Although her team mate in 2003 was Roos van der Hoeven with whom she achieved some decent results she qualified and participated for the Pattaya u18 World Championships with Jennifer Waninge. In Thailand they reached the 5th position. Then in 2004 she teamed up with Arjanne Stevens, but qualified for the same u18 World Championships, this time in Termoli with Margo Wiltens, reaching the semi finals and finishing in 4th position. Later that year she and Stevens qualified for the u21 World Championships in Porto Santo where they became 4th as well. When teaming up with Marloes Wesselink in 2005 their skills improved fast, which resulted in a successful season.

They started off in the Eredivisie of Beach volleyball in the Netherlands, which is the highest league in the country.