Kansas Jayhawks volleyball team adds international standout from Slovenia
Kansas volleyball has added a highly-regarded international player to its 2025-26 roster in Slovenia native Selena Laban, a member of her country’s senior national team.
The 6-foot Leban, who turned 20 on Wednesday, announced her signing with KU on her Instagram account. Kansas Volleyball confirmed the signing of Leban on X.
Leban — she helped Lugano of Switzerland to a third-place finish in the Swiss championships this past season — is an outside hitter who has also played for club teams in Turkey, Hungary and Slovenia. She reportedly also had Iowa and Pitt on her list of schools.
Leban’s mother, Majda Cicic played for the Yugoslavian national team, Red Star Belgrade (Yugoslavia), Hit from Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and several Italian clubs during her career. She was also the coach of the Nova Gorica club and the head coach of the Iranian women’s volleyball team.
KU will be led this season by former Oregon coach Matt Ulmer, who replaces Ray Bechard. Bechard coached KU for 27 seasons before announcing his retirement in late December.
Ulmer previously announced the signing of transfer portal acquisitions Cristin Cline (Oregon), Ryan White (Oregon State) and Audra Wilmes (Washington) as well as Logan Bell, a 5-11 outside hitter from Beech Grove, Indiana, the Gatorade Player of the year in Indiana and one of five finalists for 2024 MaxPreps national player of the year.
Ulmer also recently announced the hiring of associate head coaches Erika “Chid” Dillard (Oregon) and Matt Werle (Grand Canyon) as well as assistant coach Arica Nassar (Oregon). Ulmer retained Jayhawk support staff members Maggie Bowen (director of volleyball operations) and Tori Miller-Hohlios (technical coordinator).
