Placed off the January Tour for remainder of 2020-21 season:

  • Taylor Hughes (Setter Ohio State) to AJM, FC Porto, Portugal
  • Marguerite Spaethling (middle Colorado College) to TFSE Csapatsportok Kft, Hungary
  • Jada Stackhouse (Middle Cornell) to Latina Amisa, Peru
  • Hannah Angeli Setter Hylte/Halmstad, Sweden

Schedule:

Due to the COVID 19 situation, this year the entire January Exposure tour was ran in “our bubble” at the Dras Center. The team had practice every morning and then played five matches vs. professional teams in Slovenia. Videos from all matches can be found at: https://vimeo.com/manage/folders/3420056

Roster:

NAME HEIGHT AVAILABLE/ POSITION YEAR PASSPORT LAST TEAM
Kylie Michelle Klein 192 Yes middle/opposite 1995 USA
Marguerite Steele Spaethling 188 Yes-signed in Hungary middle/opposite 1998 USA
Cali Topolski 176 Yes setter 1997 USA
Hannah Mae Angeli 183 Yes setter/opposite 1998 USA
Stormi Jo Leonard 176 Yes setter 1996 USA
Hana Lishman 180 Yes- signed in Sweden middle/opposite 1997 USA
Dannisha Deshun Kennedy 176 Yes libero 1997 USA
House 180 Yes middle/opposite 1998 USA
Taylor Hughes 183 Yes-signed in Portugal setter/opposite 1997 USA
Jada Stackhouse 180 Yes-signed in Peru middle/opposite 1997 USA

The 2021 January Exposure Tour was an extremely fun and unique experience for me to say the least. I went from being a MB to an OH in just a matter of days! I’m so thankful that I went on this tour because it allowed them to see me play in real time and they decided that my versatility as a player best served me when I played outside, which I was extremely excited about. Kiki did an amazing job coaching the team and helped us all become familiar with the European style of volleyball and what changes we needed to make to our game. Everyone could tell that she really wanted us to succeed; she paid attention to the little details, stressed proper technique, and we all saw improvement in ourselves much quicker than anyone could’ve anticipated. Cory and Nick were wonderful as well. They were extremely transparent and helped us all understand what it takes to play in Europe, the process of getting picked up to a team and answered any questions that we had. The pandemic caused some obstacles but they made sure we still had fun while staying safe. I made some great friends, played a LOT of volleyball and I’m so excited to be playing in Europe during the upcoming season!

Jada Stackhouse

My decision to come on the JEET 2021 tour was an easy one. After taking some time away from NCAA Volleyball I knew I wanted to play volleyball at the next level and give it a shot. The tour was an opportunity to really understand what it would be like to play professionally overseas. The physical ability, time commitment, being fully immersed in a new culture and adjusting to a new style of play. Whether you’re on the fence, know you want to do it, or simply need closure this tour would provide any clarity you’re looking for, while meeting some great people from across the world and playing volleyball. Cory and Nick communicated everything prior and during the trip very well and made it easy to work with them. It was a great opportunity that lead me directly to a team in Espinho, Portugal, AJM-FC Porto before the tour ended. My experience in Portugal has been absolutely amazing. Being treated like an adult while playing a sport you love for your job is a feeling I will never take for granted. I’m surrounded by some of the best volleyball I have ever been around and that has been the best feeling so far!

Taylor Hughes

Attending the January European Exposure Tour was the best decision I’ve made in 2021. Through this experience, I have a better understanding of what it’s really like to play volleyball abroad, the style of play, expectations of coaches and structure of club volleyball in Europe and became like family with my fellow teammates. The tour wouldn’t have been the same without the people there. Cory and Nick were thoughtful in setting us up for success on the court while also ensuring we could still enjoy all Maribor had to offer.  I couldn’t think of a better person to have introduced us to European volleyball than having Kik as our coach. She was direct, supportive and patient with our team and in the end, made us all better volleyball players. Lastly, I cannot highlight enough how much the staff at the Dras Center were so fundamental in our incredible experience. I left the tour with a tryout, which resulted in a full-time offer, to start my first season in Budapest, Hungary as an OPP/MB. Being two weeks in, I am well adjusted to our training schedule, learning Hungarian so I can communicate more effectively with my coaches and becoming friends with my teammates. I’ve really enjoyed being in such a cool and historic city with lots to explore. I couldn’t be happier pursuing my dream to play pro volleyball!

Marguerite Spaethling