The University of Texas Women’s volleyball team traveled to Slovenia and Italy this summer to play volleyball against top European professional clubs, bond as a team with their incoming freshmen and expand their world view through exposure to different cultures. In this video the Longhorns reflect upon their team trip to Europe, its value and how it prepared them for their upcoming season.
“We use this trip also to connect, to build trust, to learn lines of communication and to establish our culture and make it stronger. They played against a bunch of national teams with some older players that have played this game a lot longer than they have. To see the different styles of volleyball, the different speeds of volleyball, really is a huge benefit to our program. Also for them [the freshmen] to be able to interact and get some of the nerves out, to understand the intensity of the game, the speed of the game and to build that trust with our captains in knowing that they’re an important facet to this year’s success is priceless.” – Jerritt Elliott, University of Texas Volleyball Head Coach.
“Being able to play the pro teams there was something that was really unique for all of us and I think it gave us a different type of challenge.” – Ashley Shook, Sophomore Setter
“It’s really nice to get put in uncomfortable situations very early so we can see how we respond to them. Being able to go play European teams that play a lot differently than teams in the US was very helpful.”- Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani, Senior Outside Hitter