Kristina Starostenko Signs With Illinois Volleyball Ahead of 2026 Season
June 29, 2026 | Volleyball
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Chris Tamas announced on Monday the signing of Ukrainian middle blocker Kristina Starostenko, completing the Fighting Illini's 2026 roster.
"Kristina has been around high-level volleyball for her whole career," Tamas said. "She has a fast arm and reads the game really well. She has a great passion for the game and wants to play at a high level for a long time. We are excited to welcome Kristina to the FamILLy!"
"I chose Illinois because it offers strong academic opportunities, a competitive volleyball program, and an environment where I can continue to develop as both a student and as an athlete," Starostenko said.
Starostenko joins the Orange and Blue after competing with Volley Mulhouse Alsace in France's LNV Ligue A Féminine, the top division in French women's volleyball. She was part of a historic season with Mulhouse in 2026, winning the French Championship, the Coupe de France, and the Super Cup. Starostenko previously spent the 2024-25 season with Vandoeuvre Nancy Volleyball.
Prior to competing in France, Starostenko played for SC Prometey-2 (2020-23) and VK Bukovynka (2023-24) in her home country of Ukraine. During that stretch, she won the 2022 Ukrainian Amateur League and 2023 Prometey Cup and was named Best Blocker of the Tournament in the 2021 Ukrainian Amateur League and MVP of the Tournament in the 2022 Ukrainian Amateur League.
Competing for her national team across the youth levels, Starostenko has also represented Ukraine at the U20 and U22 levels at several international tournaments, including the CEV U22 Women's Volleyball European Championship Qualification, the Eastern European Volleyball Zonal Association U-20 Women's Championship, the Women's U20 European Volleyball Championship, and the Golden European League.
In 2024, she led her squad to a second-place finish at the EEVZA Championship and helped her team qualify for the CEV U20 European Championship.
Starostenko is one of six newcomers on the Illini's 2026 roster, joining Paityn Chapman, Talita Goncalves, Maya Harris, Madi Miles, and Lindsay Oldendorf. Illinois begins its 2026 campaign at Huff Hall on Aug. 28, when it takes on Cincinnati.
