How I Became a Professional Volleyball Player
For this week’s blog, I thought I’d share my journey from little Sarah who couldn’t serve a volleyball over the net to professional athlete Sarah. Growing up at my club, Front Range Volleyball Club, we would have alumni come back and talk to us about playing professionally, and I always thought it was super cool but never really believed I could do it. I didn’t even fully realize it was a dream of mine until I was in my Master’s program, really missing playing volleyball on a team, and I looked into how I could keep playing. Once I knew, I started training hard again after my small “retirement” and got my first contract!
Little Sarah Loves Sports But Loves Volleyball the Most
Growing up, I played almost every sport under the sun. I started with soccer, then swimming was introduced, then teeball/softball, then basketball, and then volleyball. I was a very active kid, and also dabbled in tap and ballet. I remember my first memory of loving volleyball was playing with my family in my Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard. I’m pretty sure we played with a beach ball over a wire, but I loved when I rotated to the middle because I got to touch the ball the most. When I would do summer volleyball camps at my middle school, I would be so excited to get to camp early so I could play against the wall as soon as I stepped foot in the gym. Then finally when it was time for me to choose which club sport I wanted to play going into high school, I chose volleyball because it was the one where I enjoyed going to practice the most. That was the telltale sign that I was most passionate about volleyball- I actually looked forward to practice and would practice for hours on my own outside of practice.
Little Sarah who came straight from a soccer game and forgot her volleyball stuff in a different car!
Club and High School Volleyball
The summer before 8th grade, I knew absolutely nothing about the world of volleyball. I was really into soccer and basketball and had just played volleyball for my elementary/middle school. My parents thought it would be a good idea to do some camps at different volleyball clubs, and one of the coaches at a Front Range camp offered me a spot on the 14-1 team. I was tall and athletic, but I was definitely behind on a lot of the technical and skill part of volleyball. But, I worked super hard and just thought it was so much fun to play volleyball at such a high level that I eventually got the hang of it and by the end of the year turned out to be pretty good. My freshman year of high school I originally made the JV team, but proved myself and ended up starting every JV and Varsity match for the rest of the season and then just Varsity for the rest of my high school career. I played for the same club for all 5 years because I loved the coaches, work ethic, and high level of play at Front Range. I went to Junior Nationals all 5 years, and we ended up getting the Bronze medal my senior year in Open. In high school we also finished 3rd at state (which is still one of the most heartbreaking losses because we really should have been in the finals). Anyway, looking back at my middle school and high school career, what stood out was my obsession and passion for the game, which allowed me to work ridiculously hard because I loved it so much and just wanted to be the best I could possibly be. This definitely prepared me for my college career.
College Volleyball
My freshman year I attended Rutgers University in New Jersey. I really liked it, had such a fun season and made some really good friends, but I missed home and my family and ended up transferring to the University of Denver my sophomore year. This ended up being a great decision for me not only because I got to play in front of my family every home game, but because we made it to the conference championships every year, and won it two years in a row. That means we also got to experience the NCAA DI tournament two times, which was also an incredible experience. If I hadn’t transferred to DU, I don’t think I would have ended up playing pro because I wouldn’t have known much about it. Several of the DU alumni played pro, and one of my coaches used to coach overseas too, so I got to learn more and get helpful advice before heading over. I had a great college experience, got a ton better at volleyball and grew as an athlete and a person. After my last college game at the University of Washington, I thought I was done being an athlete forever.
Study Abroad, Master’s Degree, Out of Retirement
DU is on the quarter system, so for the Winter Quarter after my season I studied abroad in York, England. I absolutely loved living and traveling in Europe, and it definitely started my love of living in a different country. I came back for Spring Quarter, finished my undergrad degree and went straight into my Master’s program. This year was super fun because I met my now husband, had a great year student teaching, and had fun playing volleyball in coed rec leagues. I needed this year off because for so long I defined myself as an athlete, and when that was taken away from me I was so heartbroken and a little lost without it. But my fun adventure studying abroad and my year of getting my Master’s taught me there is more to me than just being an athlete, and I can enjoy life even if I’m not on a volleyball team. However, I knew that I had my whole life to be a teacher and limited time to continue being an athlete if I wanted to do that, so now was the time to go after a professional volleyball career. I knew I loved living in Europe, knew I had a lot more potential in me left, and was ready for a new challenge.
Finding an Agent and Securing a Contract
Another athlete from Front Range who played pro before me said the most common way to get a contract overseas is to put together a highlight video and collect match film and send it to an agent. It took me a while to get a contract with an agent, though, which was a little bit frustrating when the time seemed to be slipping away from me as the season grew nearer. Eventually I found an agent, and he got me a contract in Lindesberg, Sweden, and I officially became a professional volleyball player!
Looking Back
It’s always fun to look back on my life and see all the moments and decisions that led me to where I am today. I had no idea that life would lead me here, but I’m so glad it did. A common theme throughout my life would be the passion and work ethic I have. I would never have made it this far without my love for the game. I’m tall, but I’m not the tallest. I’m athletic, but not the most athletic. I learned along the way that if I wanted to be great, I would have to outwork people. My joy and passion for volleyball allowed that to happen, because I was always hungry for more. I still am hungry for more, which I hope to continue playing after my shoulder is fully ready. Thanks for reading about my journey; I hope you found it interesting and a little inspiring. I love looking back on past chapters, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next one! Follow along on Instagram for more!!