March 3, 2009

Illinois volleyball has three former players currently playing professionally.

• Rachel Van Meter (2002-05) is playing in the A1 (top division) in Italy, competing for Minetti Vicenza. She joined that team in January after playing for SC Schwerin in Germany, where that team leads the league.

"It is almost every player's dream to play in A1 in Italy," VanMeter. "I had the offer and couldn't turn it down."

VanMeter had 19 points and hit .458 in Minetti Vicenza's victory over Castellana and Danielle Scott-Aruda. National team members Heather Bown and Kim Willoughby, both fresh of a silver medal performance at the 2008 Olympics, also compete in the league.

VanMeter has traveled the globe playing volleyball since finishing her career at Illinois. She played on the league championship team in Puerto Rico and led the league in scoring while competing in South Korea. VanMeter suffered a knee injury while playing the in Czech Republic a year ago then resurfaced last fall in Germany.

"I feel really blessed and fortunate to have been able to travel around this world and play the sport I love," VanMeter added. "I have been able to see places and do things that I never dreamed I would. Having said that, I still have to say that my best memories and happiest moments in volleyball were while playing for the Fighting Illini."

• Vicki Brown is playing on her second professional team, the Juncos Volleyball Club in Puerto Rico, after competing for the Klagenfurt Wildcats in Austria from August-November. Brown joined the Puerto Rican team in late January. The regular season ends April 4 with eight of the 10 teams making the playoffs.

"So far things are going pretty well," Brown said. "There aren't any real dominant teams in the league, so every match is pretty competitive. I'm also loving the 84-degree weather."

• Stefanie Alde (2006-07) is playing for Club Voleibol CIDE in the Spanish SuperLiga 2 (the second division). The team is headquartered in Palma, which is on the island of Mallorca. Alde joined the team in January, midway through the season and is hitting over .350. She played on a touring team through Bring It Promotions and joined the CIDE team along with a setter from Brazil.

"Every day you learn new things and meet new people," Alde said. "You are immersed into the culture and the culture is immersed in you. I have loved figuring out how to live on my own in a foreign country and have learned a great deal about myself. My teammates have been absolutely wonderful to get to know and don't hesitate to help."