USA VolleyballDec 21, 2016 by Megan Kaplon
Professional Contracts Begin to Pour in for NCAA Volleyball Stars
Professional Contracts Begin to Pour in for NCAA Volleyball Stars
Top NCAA women's volleyball players, including Ohio State's Taylor Sandbothe, have signed professional contracts to play overseas.
Many NCAA Division I women's volleyball players graduate in December after the conclusion of their senior season. Whether they redshirted a season and were able to complete their degrees without that final spring semester or took summer classes in anticipation of the benefits of graduating one semester early, many of these athletes are already beginning to think about how and where they will continue their volleyball careers.
Only three days after the NCAA national championship match, quite a few of these athletes have already signed professional contracts. Here are the ones we know of, and we'll keep updated this list as the news comes out.
Nebraska's twin towers signed their first contract together and will play for Dresdner Sportclub 1898 in Germany's Bundesliga. Three former Illinois players, Jocelynn Birks, Liz McMahon, and Erin Johnson are also members of the Dresdner SC team, as well as former LSU player Brittnee Cooper.
A four-year starter and three-time All-American at Ohio State, middle blocker Taylor Sandbothe no doubt had options when it came to signing her professional contract. She'll play her first pro season for RC Cannes in France, where Americans Juliann Faucette, Carly Wopat, and Logan Tom have played in years past.
One of Minnesota's top offensive producers for the past few seasons will begin her professional career in Puerto Rico. Paige Tapp will head to the municipality of Juncos to join the Juncos Valencianas. Her sister Hannah Tapp is also going pro and will announce where she's headed any day now.
A 6-foot-4 middle blocker, Kadi Kullerkann played at Houston from 2011-14 (redshirting the 2012 season) where she was an honorable mention All-American and ranked third in the country with 644 kills as a junior. She transferred to Pitt to attend graduate school and use her final year of eligibility in 2015. The native of Keila, Estonia, just finished her MBA in marketing and will join the the Eurosped club in the Netherlands.
Pitt middle blocker Jenna Potts will join the Volejbal Brno team in the Czech Republic after completing her senior season in which she led the Panthers with 160 total blocks and helped the team upset three ranked opponents.
Opposite Naya Crittenden's collegiate career was split into two parts: two seasons at Oregon and two at Illinois. For the Fighting Illini, she ranked third on the team with 255 kills and 75 blocks. The native of Modesto, California, will play her first season of pro ball in Carolina, Puerto Rico, for the Gigantes de Carolina.
Outside hitter Kyra Holt, who played such a big role in Washington State's upsets of Washington, UCLA, and Stanford during the 2016 season, will join Crittendon on the Gigantes de Carolina squad in Puerto Rico. Holt earned honorable mention All-America honors her senior season after leading the Cougars with 484 kills.
An outside hitter for Illinois, Michelle Strizak led the Fighting Illini in kills as a senior with 318 in addition to being second on the team in digs with 228. For her first professional season, she'll head to Finland to join HPK Hameenlinna.
Only three days after the NCAA national championship match, quite a few of these athletes have already signed professional contracts. Here are the ones we know of, and we'll keep updated this list as the news comes out.
Amber and Kadie Rolfzen
Nebraska's twin towers signed their first contract together and will play for Dresdner Sportclub 1898 in Germany's Bundesliga. Three former Illinois players, Jocelynn Birks, Liz McMahon, and Erin Johnson are also members of the Dresdner SC team, as well as former LSU player Brittnee Cooper.
Taylor Sandbothe
A four-year starter and three-time All-American at Ohio State, middle blocker Taylor Sandbothe no doubt had options when it came to signing her professional contract. She'll play her first pro season for RC Cannes in France, where Americans Juliann Faucette, Carly Wopat, and Logan Tom have played in years past.
Paige Tapp
One of Minnesota's top offensive producers for the past few seasons will begin her professional career in Puerto Rico. Paige Tapp will head to the municipality of Juncos to join the Juncos Valencianas. Her sister Hannah Tapp is also going pro and will announce where she's headed any day now.
Kadi Kullerkann
A 6-foot-4 middle blocker, Kadi Kullerkann played at Houston from 2011-14 (redshirting the 2012 season) where she was an honorable mention All-American and ranked third in the country with 644 kills as a junior. She transferred to Pitt to attend graduate school and use her final year of eligibility in 2015. The native of Keila, Estonia, just finished her MBA in marketing and will join the the Eurosped club in the Netherlands.
Jenna Potts
Pitt middle blocker Jenna Potts will join the Volejbal Brno team in the Czech Republic after completing her senior season in which she led the Panthers with 160 total blocks and helped the team upset three ranked opponents.
Naya Crittenden
Opposite Naya Crittenden's collegiate career was split into two parts: two seasons at Oregon and two at Illinois. For the Fighting Illini, she ranked third on the team with 255 kills and 75 blocks. The native of Modesto, California, will play her first season of pro ball in Carolina, Puerto Rico, for the Gigantes de Carolina.
Kyra Holt
Outside hitter Kyra Holt, who played such a big role in Washington State's upsets of Washington, UCLA, and Stanford during the 2016 season, will join Crittendon on the Gigantes de Carolina squad in Puerto Rico. Holt earned honorable mention All-America honors her senior season after leading the Cougars with 484 kills.
Michelle Strizak
An outside hitter for Illinois, Michelle Strizak led the Fighting Illini in kills as a senior with 318 in addition to being second on the team in digs with 228. For her first professional season, she'll head to Finland to join HPK Hameenlinna.
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