Seppe Van Hoyweghen is a Belgian setter who plays for Lindemans Aalst and has represented the Belgium men’s national team since 2019. Born on October 7, 2000, the 198 cm playmaker combines the distribution responsibilities of his position with a strong serve and useful size at the net. His senior career has remained entirely in Belgium, with spells at Aalst, Decospan Volley Team Menen and Knack Volley Roeselare.
For the 2026/27 season, Van Hoyweghen returned to Lindemans Aalst, the club where he began his top-level senior career in 2017. The move followed two seasons with Knack in which he won the Belgian championship, Belgian Cup, two BeNe Cups and two BeNe Conference titles. Internationally, his recent record includes Belgium’s silver medal at the 2024 Volleyball Challenger Cup, a quarterfinal run at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship and appearances in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League.
Player Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Seppe Van Hoyweghen |
| Date of Birth | October 7, 2000 |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Position | Setter |
| Height | 198 cm |
| Weight | 81 kg |
| Attack Reach | 339 cm |
| Block Reach | 310 cm |
| Previous Clubs | Lindemans Aalst, Decospan Volley Team Menen, Knack Volley Roeselare |
| Current Club | Lindemans Aalst |
| Club Number | 11 |
| National Team | Belgium Men’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-Team Number | 11 |
| Senior National Team | Since 2019 |
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
Van Hoyweghen entered volleyball unusually early. He joined Kuros Zulte while still in his third year of kindergarten and later moved into Belgium’s elite development pathway. For secondary school, he spent his first two years at the Topsportschool program in Leuven before continuing at Topsportschool Vilvoorde.
His eventual position was not as obvious as his current height might suggest. In a 2018 Volley Magazine interview, Van Hoyweghen explained that he had been among the smaller players when he began setting. A later growth spurt briefly pushed him toward attacking, but he soon returned to what he described as his preferred position.
That early period helped shape a setter whose development was grounded in technique before size became an advantage. His father, Bart Van Hoyweghen, told Volley Magazine that Seppe had learned to compensate for his lack of early height through technical work and had developed a strong tactical understanding of the game.
Volleyball also runs through the family. Bart played professionally for clubs including Roeselare, Mouscron and Maaseik before leaving the professional game at age 26. Van Hoyweghen’s mother, Ineke Hoho, also played volleyball, while his uncle Kristof Hoho had a playing career of his own.
The family connection did not prevent Van Hoyweghen from following a separate development route. After Topsportschool, he joined Lindemans Aalst in 2017 and began competing in Belgium’s top division while still a teenager.
Club Career
First Spell with Lindemans Aalst
Van Hoyweghen joined Lindemans Aalst in 2017. His first seasons were primarily developmental, with more experienced setters ahead of him, but changes in the roster created opportunities for meaningful court time earlier than he expected.
By the end of the 2018/19 season, he had made enough of an impression to receive the VolleyProms award for Belgium’s Best Young Player U21. In a 2019 Volley Magazine interview after receiving the award, Van Hoyweghen said he had not expected to win because other nominees had started more regularly. He pointed instead to successful substitute appearances and playing part of the Belgian Cup final at the Sportpaleis as particularly valuable experiences.
Aalst gave him several seasons to develop without requiring an immediate jump into a permanent starting role. He gained domestic league experience, played European volleyball and moved into Belgium’s senior national-team environment during the same period.
By 2022, however, the next step required more responsibility.
Two Seasons with Decospan Volley Team Menen
Van Hoyweghen moved to Decospan Volley Team Menen for the 2022/23 season. The transfer was designed to give him a larger role and placed him under head coach Frank Depestele, one of Belgium’s most experienced former setters.
The opportunity to work with Depestele was especially relevant to his development. Van Hoyweghen had already learned from former setters in Belgium’s coaching system, and Menen provided a setting in which he could apply that technical work while carrying greater responsibility for the team’s offense.
He remained at Menen for two seasons. The club reached Belgian Cup finals during his period there, adding high-pressure domestic matches to his experience even though the major trophies remained out of reach.
By 2024, Van Hoyweghen had progressed from a young reserve setter at Aalst into a player ready for another step upward within Belgian volleyball.
Moving to Knack Volley Roeselare
Knack Volley Roeselare announced Van Hoyweghen in May 2024. The club’s official signing profile described the move as a continuation of his development and specifically highlighted his strong serve and 198 cm height as attributes that could strengthen the block.
There was another clear developmental attraction: Stijn D’Hulst. Van Hoyweghen joined a roster containing one of Belgium’s most experienced setters, giving him the chance to work alongside a player who had won major titles in Belgium and Italy.
His first Knack season brought a major change to his trophy record. Roeselare won the inaugural BeNe Cup in December 2024, then captured the first BeNe Conference title in April 2025. The club also won the Belgian Cup and its 16th Belgian championship.
Van Hoyweghen was generally the second setter behind D’Hulst, but his role was not limited to late-match substitutions. Knack used him in different situations throughout its domestic and European schedule, and his serving was occasionally deployed specifically to apply pressure from the service line.
The 2025/26 season brought more opportunities. With Matthijs Verhanneman taking over as head coach, Van Hoyweghen received additional starting assignments and played a more substantial role when D’Hulst was unavailable or rested.
One of his strongest European examples came during Knack’s 2025/26 Champions League campaign. In a road victory over Halkbank Ankara, Van Hoyweghen helped keep the offense balanced while adding five direct points of his own — one attack, two aces and two blocks.
Knack won a second BeNe Cup in December 2025 and then completed another undefeated BeNe Conference run in April 2026. By that stage, Van Hoyweghen had collected two BeNe Cups, two BeNe Conference titles, one Belgian Cup and one Belgian championship during his two seasons in Roeselare.
Returning to Lindemans Aalst
Knack confirmed in February 2026 that Van Hoyweghen would leave after the season. The decision was connected to playing time: after two years working in a rotation with D’Hulst, he wanted the opportunity to operate as a first setter and take on a larger share of responsibility.
His destination eventually became familiar territory.
Lindemans Aalst confirmed Van Hoyweghen’s return for 2026/27, describing him as a setter whose experience and game intelligence would again play an important role in the team. He wears No. 11 on the current Aalst roster.
The move closes a nine-year circle in his senior career. Van Hoyweghen first arrived at Aalst as a teenage setter trying to earn minutes. He returns at 25 with national-team experience, Champions League matches and domestic titles behind him.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2017/18–2021/22 | Lindemans Aalst | Belgium |
| 2022/23–2023/24 | Decospan Volley Team Menen | Belgium |
| 2024/25–2025/26 | Knack Volley Roeselare | Belgium |
| 2026/27– | Lindemans Aalst | Belgium |
National Team Career
Van Hoyweghen’s international career began in Belgium’s youth program. He appeared in European age-group competition before becoming a senior international, with the 2018 CEV U20 European Championship providing his most important youth result.
Belgium won bronze at that tournament after defeating the Netherlands 3–0 in the third-place match. The opening set developed into a 35–33 battle, and Van Hoyweghen scored the point that finally closed it for Belgium.
His transition toward the senior Red Dragons followed soon afterward. In 2019, while still developing at Aalst, he joined Belgium’s European Golden League group and was included in the EuroVolley cycle.
The timing matched a period in which he was still learning how to manage the setter position at senior club level. In his 2019 Volley Magazine interview, Van Hoyweghen described Belgium’s national-team training as especially useful because then-head coach Brecht Van Kerckhove had himself been a setter and could provide detailed technical guidance.
CEV records subsequently place Van Hoyweghen in Belgium’s European Golden League campaigns in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as the EuroVolley squads in 2021 and 2023. He also appeared in Belgium’s European Olympic qualification campaign ahead of Tokyo 2020.
A notable senior result arrived at the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup in China. Belgium advanced to the final before losing 3–1 to the hosts, taking the silver medal. Van Hoyweghen appeared as part of the setting rotation and recorded four direct points in the tournament, including two aces and one block.
The 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship produced an even larger team result. Van Hoyweghen was part of the Belgium squad that completed the pool stage unbeaten, including a five-set victory over defending champions Italy.
Belgium then swept Finland in the round of 16 to reach a Men’s World Championship quarterfinal for the first time in 55 years. Italy won the rematch in the last eight, leaving Belgium seventh overall.
Van Hoyweghen remained involved during the 2026 international season. He wore No. 11 for Belgium in the Volleyball Nations League and appeared in eight matches. As is normal for a setter, his contribution was centered on distribution rather than scoring; his only direct point in the competition came from a block.
The current Topvolley Belgium player profile lists Van Hoyweghen with 53 senior caps.
Playing Style & Strengths
Van Hoyweghen is a tall setter whose physical dimensions give him tools that complement his primary role as an offensive organizer. Lindemans Aalst, Volleyball World and Topvolley Belgium currently list him at 198 cm, while the Belgian federation gives him an attack reach of 339 cm and a block reach of 310 cm.
That size is particularly useful in the front row. A taller setter can reduce the physical mismatch that opponents sometimes target when attacking against the right side of the block. Knack explicitly identified Van Hoyweghen’s height and blocking presence as strengths when signing him in 2024.
His serve is another recurring part of his profile. Knack also highlighted it at the time of his transfer, and match reports from Roeselare repeatedly show him being used from the service line in situations where the team wanted to increase pressure.
The two qualities work together particularly well for a setter. They allow Van Hoyweghen to contribute points and pressure during the rotations in which his primary distribution role changes after the serve.
His central responsibility remains the organization of the offense. Van Hoyweghen has developed under several coaches with extensive setting experience, including Brecht Van Kerckhove with Belgium and Frank Depestele at Menen, before spending two seasons alongside Stijn D’Hulst in Roeselare.
That path has exposed him to different stages of the position. Aalst gave him an introduction to senior volleyball, Menen required more regular responsibility, and Knack placed him inside a championship roster where efficiency and tactical decisions were tested in domestic finals and the Champions League.
His 2026/27 return to Aalst gives him the opportunity to use that experience in a larger setting role rather than continuing primarily as the second option behind an established veteran.
Major Achievements
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | CEV U20 European Championship | Bronze medal |
| 2024 | FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup | Silver medal |
| 2025 | FIVB Men’s World Championship | Quarterfinalist / 7th place |
Selected Club Honors
| Season | Competition | Result | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | BeNe Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | BeNe Conference | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | Belgian Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | Belgian Championship | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 | BeNe Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 | BeNe Conference | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
Selected Individual Awards
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2019 | VolleyProms Best Young Player U21 / Rookie of the Year |
Family Background & Education
Van Hoyweghen grew up with substantial volleyball knowledge around him. His father Bart had played professionally and remained closely involved in Seppe’s development without taking over as his coach.
In their 2018 Volley Magazine interview, Seppe described his father’s post-match analysis as particularly useful. Bart would identify both strengths and weaknesses after matches and offer technical or tactical suggestions, while deliberately leaving formal coaching responsibilities to Seppe’s club and school coaches.
Bart also described his son as naturally inquisitive and tactically quick to absorb information — qualities that fit the demands of the setter position, where reading the opposing block and processing options rapidly are central to decision-making.
Van Hoyweghen was also pursuing academics alongside volleyball. In 2018, he said he was preparing to begin the common first year of Applied Sciences and Business Engineering at Ghent University while continuing his career with Aalst. The public record does not establish that academic path as a completed degree, but it shows that education remained part of his plans during the early phase of his professional career.
Where Is Seppe Van Hoyweghen Playing Now?
Seppe Van Hoyweghen plays for Lindemans Aalst in the 2026/27 season. He returned to the club after spending two seasons with Knack Volley Roeselare.
Aalst’s current roster lists him as setter No. 11 alongside younger setter Ward Devoghel. For Van Hoyweghen, the move creates a different role from the one he held at Knack, where he shared the position with longtime Belgian international Stijn D’Hulst.
His departure from Roeselare had already been announced in February 2026. Knack explained that Van Hoyweghen wanted the opportunity to work as a first setter and receive more playing time after two seasons in its setting rotation.
The return is also significant because Aalst was the first senior top-flight club of his career. He joined the team in 2017 and remained there for five seasons before leaving for Menen.
Internationally, his latest verified competition appearances came during the 2026 Volleyball Nations League. Topvolley Belgium continues to list him as a Red Dragons player, wearing No. 11.
Recent Performance Snapshot
| Date / Competition | Performance / Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2024 Volleyball Challenger Cup | Won silver with Belgium; recorded 4 direct points, including 2 aces and 1 block |
| 2024/25 Club Season | Won the Belgian Championship, Belgian Cup, BeNe Cup and BeNe Conference with Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship | Part of the Belgium squad that reached the quarterfinals and finished seventh |
| December 2025 | Won a second consecutive BeNe Cup with Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 CEV Champions League | Produced a 5-point performance with 2 aces and 2 blocks in Knack’s road victory over Halkbank Ankara |
| April 2026 | Helped Knack complete an undefeated BeNe Conference campaign and win a second consecutive title |
| 2026 Volleyball Nations League | Appeared in 8 matches for Belgium and recorded 1 block point |
| 2026/27 | Returned to Lindemans Aalst as No. 11 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Seppe Van Hoyweghen?
Van Hoyweghen is listed at 198 cm by Lindemans Aalst, Volleyball World and Topvolley Belgium. Some CEV competition records use 196 cm, but 198 cm is the figure used by his current club and current federation profile.
What position does Seppe Van Hoyweghen play?
He is a setter. Van Hoyweghen briefly experimented with attacking during a major teenage growth spurt but returned to the setting position that he had played from an early age.
Which club does Seppe Van Hoyweghen play for?
Van Hoyweghen plays for Lindemans Aalst. He returned to the club for the 2026/27 season after two years with Knack Volley Roeselare.
What number does Seppe Van Hoyweghen wear?
He wears No. 11 for Lindemans Aalst. He also wore No. 11 for Belgium during the 2026 Volleyball Nations League.
Which clubs has Seppe Van Hoyweghen played for?
His senior club career has included Lindemans Aalst, Decospan Volley Team Menen and Knack Volley Roeselare. He returned to Aalst for a second spell in 2026.
What has Seppe Van Hoyweghen won?
His club honors with Knack include the 2024/25 Belgian Championship, the 2024/25 Belgian Cup, two BeNe Cups and two BeNe Conference titles. Internationally, he won bronze with Belgium at the 2018 CEV U20 European Championship and silver at the 2024 Volleyball Challenger Cup, and he was part of Belgium’s 2025 World Championship quarterfinal squad.
How many times has Seppe Van Hoyweghen played for Belgium?
Topvolley Belgium’s current player profile lists Van Hoyweghen with 53 senior caps. Because he remains listed in the Red Dragons player pool, that total can change with future selections and appearances.
References
- Lindemans Aalst — 2026/27 first-team roster
- Lindemans Aalst — Seppe Van Hoyweghen returns for the 2026/27 season
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Setter Seppe Van Hoyweghen joins the Belgian champions
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Seppe Van Hoyweghen to leave after the 2025/26 season
- Topvolley Belgium — Seppe Van Hoyweghen Red Dragons player profile
- Volleyball World — Seppe Van Hoyweghen VNL 2026 player profile
- Volleyball World — Seppe Van Hoyweghen 2024 Volleyball Challenger Cup player profile
- Volleyball World — China defeat Belgium in the 2024 Volleyball Challenger Cup final
- Volleyball World — Belgium reach the 2025 Men’s World Championship quarterfinals
- CEV — Seppe Van Hoyweghen European club and national-team history
- CEV — Belgium win bronze at the 2018 U20 European Championship
- CEV — Belgium EuroVolley 2026 roster data
- Volley Magazine — Seppe Van Hoyweghen on his development and advice from his father
- Volley Magazine — Seppe Van Hoyweghen named Best Young Player U21
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Club honors and historical results
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Second consecutive BeNe Cup
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Undefeated run to a second BeNe Conference title