Krystal Rivers has long since grown fond of the arduous Stäffele in Stuttgart.
The open-air stairs that can be found all over the city and lead up to the half-heights, from where there is a nice view of the valley.
Stuttgart is neither too small nor too big.
"Just right," says the American, "to be able to live well and work in peace here with the beautiful view, the charming cafés."
The volleyball player is particularly good at this these weeks.
Together with her compatriot Simone Lee, she forms the most influential and strongest attacking duo in the German Bundesliga at MTV Allianz Stuttgart.
In her fourth season, the 27-year-old Rivers is already putting on the Stuttgart jersey.
In 2019 she led the club to the German championship as a powerful diagonal attacker.
This time it could even be three titles in one season.
On Sunday evening, the women from Stuttgart took first place in the cup.
They won 3-0 against German champions Dresdner SC.
The final was a display and continuation of their dominance.
They also top the Bundesliga table with 19 wins in 19 games.
"These are busy weeks for all of us"
The appointment on Sunday was not ideal.
Because the final, which was postponed due to a Dresden Corona wave, took place between two other finals.
Last Tuesday, Stuttgart lost 3-1 to the Turkish top club Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul in the second highest European competition, the CEV Cup.
The second leg is scheduled two days after the cup final this Tuesday.
"These are busy weeks for all of us," says Rivers.
For her in particular, because as a child and young adult, illnesses and injuries repeatedly led to her being banned from playing sports.
In order to spare her for the final against Dresden, she did not travel to Istanbul at all.
For the sports director of the Stuttgart club, Kim Renkema, the first national title up for grabs in this round was the more important one.
Everything was geared towards that.
When Stuttgart last triumphed in the cup in 2017, Renkema was still there as a player.
"I'm proud that we've now secured our first title," says the former Dutch international.
For many experts, Stuttgart is by far the best team in Germany.
Veteran Norway coach Tore Aleksandersen's side can only beat themselves, they say.
Too well cast, too balanced, and mentally strong.
Of course, Renkema would never put it so boldly.
But there are also numerous reasons why Stuttgart is doing so well for the 34-year-old.
One is the strong team spirit.
"That's particularly important in women's volleyball," says Renkema.
The players harmonize on and off the pitch.
"They give everything for each other." It was different last season.
They almost avoided each other next to the sport.
Rivers also confirms the change in mood: "We all understand each other, are hungry and want to win every game."
Play faster
In addition, the Stuttgart women are no longer as dependent on their exceptional player as they used to be.
With Lee, Stuttgart has gained another player who can decide a game almost alone in attack with many points.
In the cup final, she scored 25 points in attack, even more than Rivers (22).
"It works quite well that we can now give Krystal more breaks," says Renkema.
In addition, the players trust their coach.
Aleksandersen has technically and tactically raised the team to a higher level since he joined in December 2020.
He lets play faster and has also established a block of three.
Word has also got around in Europe.
The Stuttgart volleyball players have recommended themselves for higher tasks with their highly acclaimed performances in the CEV Cup.
Especially for the Champions League, in which the women from Stuttgart have already played four times.
"We still want to try to keep as many players as possible," says Renkema.
So did Lee and Rivers.
In order to secure a place in the Champions League, Stuttgart would have to become champions, only then would you be sure to qualify.
However, Germany will have a second starting place from next season.
It is not yet clear who that is.
Renkema firmly assumes that the finalist will receive it.
So the Stuttgart women could meet Istanbul again.
Just like last season in the premier class.
Your team kept up well in the first leg.
They could all take a lot of confidence from defeat.
And maybe there is still a wondrous comeback in the second leg.
With a 3-0 or 3-1 victory, the Stuttgart women could reach the so-called golden set, which then decides on the title.
“No matter how it comes.
We're going to have a big party with our fans," announces Krystal Rivers.