Louisa Lippmann and the challenges in beach volleyball

There is definitely reason for pride, as the duo won the preliminary round of the World Cup in Adelaide, Australia in November and beat two New Zealanders in the main round. In the round of 16, however, they had to admit defeat against the Italians Valentina Gottardi and Reka Orsi Toth. Since the two Germans have only been a team for a year and had to cancel the German championship in September due to Linda Bock’s shoulder problems, it was still a strong performance.

“We have grooved in well, even though we are very different types,” says Lippmann. “I’m more of a structured person who thinks a lot. Linda, on the other hand, is a free spirit. That’s helpful on the field because she throws herself into every action and is courageous.”

From the hall to the sand

Lippmann and Bock have not only known each other since they played together in the sand; they were also part of the national team together – although at that time they were still playing indoor volleyball. Lippmann decided to move from the hall to the sand in 2022, Bock followed in 2024 after tearing his cruciate ligament. “We found a good team for the first year,” says Lippmann. She highlights the qualification for the home European Championships last year, which the duo finished in ninth place, as a particular success.

At the same time, the two also suffered some serious defeats and had to cope with setbacks. During a game in Turkey, for example, Lippmann jumped on a stone and suffered a hole in his foot. “There’s not much you can do. Disinfect, bandage, take a lot of painkillers and try to keep playing,” said Lippmann. “But defeats have also brought us forward. Moments like this reveal where we stand.”

Between the years, Lippmann, who lives in Hamburg, visited the Bundesliga club BR Volleys in Berlin, with whom she has been cooperating since last year. “It’s a lot of fun to watch. I find men’s volleyball very interesting overall. It’s a completely different athleticism, I don’t really follow women’s volleyball at the moment.”

An exception are games played by SSC Schwerin, where Lippmann was once under contract and who helped her gain international attention. She was voted volleyball player of the year five times during her career and was also under contract with clubs in Russia, China and Italy.

A quota for local players

In these countries – unlike Germany – there is a quota for local players. Lippmann would be in favor of such a minimum number being introduced in Germany too. “At the beginning it might be a risk because the players have less experience than college players from the USA. But in the long term it would not only strengthen the league, but also the national team. We have a lot of young players with great potential.”

For her, indoor volleyball currently “feels quite far away”. She has long since found her way into beach volleyball, even though the transition was not only athletically but also economically challenging. She was previously employed by a club and not only received a monthly salary, but was also insured and provided with an apartment and car.

Now she is self-employed and has to take care of sponsors herself. “It was only when I switched that I realized how much ‘easier’ it is to earn money indoors. In beach volleyball you are even more dependent on sporting success.”

There is prize money at tournaments and the association also supports the athletes. “But given how many trips you make every year, it’s hardly worth it.”

Social media is therefore playing an increasingly important role, says Lippmann. She is followed by more than 86,000 people on Instagram, and she regularly uploads videos to YouTube in which she takes fans into her everyday life. “It was strange at first, but it’s an important way to generate reach. Nowadays it’s more and more about marketing yourself well and offering sponsors advertising space.”

Tournaments feature their sponsors’ logos on armbands, headbands, bikini bottoms and temporary body tattoos. “You also have to offer a little bit of what happens off the field,” says Lippmann. She has recently been sharing a lot of photos of her puppy Timmy. In addition to her sporting goals, she has also decided to spend a lot of time with her dog in the new year.

Together with Linda Bock, she wants to “take further development steps” so that she can qualify for the Olympics in 2027. And she already has her sights set on the games in the distant future. “I would sincerely wish Germany, and especially the capital, to host the Games. The Olympics have an incredible power to unite people, especially in times of crisis and war.”