Plak creating own path to volleyball greatness

For most athletes, growing up with a world champion father often means living in the shadow of his achievements. But for Dutch volleyball player Fabian Plak, the story is a little different.

His father, Kenneth, was a world champion kickboxer—long before Fabian was born. The younger Plak never got to witness his father’s glory days in the ring, and as a result, his own path in volleyball kind of unfolded on its own terms.

“Actually, not that much,” Plak said when asked about the influence of his father’s career.

“My father was a world champion kickboxer, but that was back when I was not even born. So, I don’t have that much memory about it. Sometimes he tells me stories about this, but I don’t have much memory of it,” he added.

What Kenneth taught his son were lessons that transcended sport. While he couldn’t teach his son the nitty-gritty of volleyball, he instilled in him the values of professionalism and discipline—qualities that remain vital no matter what the playing field is.

“He told me every time to focus and don’t drink alcohol, don’t smoke cigarettes,” Plak shared.

“Just live like a professional guy and eat healthy. It’s a totally different kind of sport, for him it’s also hard to tell me what to do like in volleyball aspect, but he tells me how to live like a professional.”

Those words definitely shaped the foundation of Fabian’s career. Volleyball may be a far cry from kickboxing, but the value of discipline, healthy living, and mental focus have proven just as useful at the net.

Make no mistake—the 6-foot-6 Plak isn’t short on volleyball wisdom either, with his older sister Celeste serving as a steady guide, having been a mainstay of the Netherlands women’s team for over a decade.

“With volleyball stuff, I have my sister for this,” said Plak, whose mother Karin is also a volleyball player, with a smile.

Now, Fabian is determined to carve his own path with The Netherlands in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Armed with the discipline and professionalism instilled by his father, and the volleyball wisdom taught by his sister and mother, he hopes to channel those lessons into the sport’s biggest stage as his team chases history.

The Netherlands is currently at the top of Pool B with a 2-0 record, on track to make it to the Round of 16.