It was 6am, and the sun was rising. On the streets and in
the plaza of Cataño, joyous volleyball fans were still celebrating. And Courtney Thompson and her Lancheras
teammates were out there with them.
“It was amazing,” Thompson says. “It’s the reason I decided
to play in Puerto Rico.”
Courtney Thompson (center) exhorts her team during the Puerto Rican professional championships. |
Thompson, the former University
of Washington All-American, is now back on the mainland after the all-night
Caribbean party. Next week, she’ll head back to Anaheim, continuing her
four-year quest to be selected to the team representing the United States at
the London Summer Olympics.
But, for a few more days, she’s relishing what it felt like
to help win a professional volleyball championship in a country that
understands and appreciates her sport.
“I had opportunities to return to the European leagues,” she
said, “but—as corny as it sounds—I wanted to go where I could play for more
than just me, where it was more than just a job. It was a very calculated
decision.”
Thompson first signed with Cataño two years ago, for a team
that had no history of winning. “Maybe the worst team ever,” she remembers. But
Thompson and her teammates turned it around, leading the Lancheras deep into
the playoffs that season.
In 2009, Thompson opted for the European pro leagues, where
most members of the USA National Team play (and where star American outside
hitters can earn salaries in excess of a million dollars.) Thompson, one of the
shorter setters among the international elite, was overlooked by several teams,
and signed with Zeiler Konizset. She promptly led her team to the Swiss championship.
This winter, however, her heart returned to Puerto Rico. “The
Puerto Rican league begins in January, which allowed me to be home (in Kent, WA)
for Christmas, something I couldn’t do if I played in Europe. One of my brothers
is in the military and the other has just gotten married. We weren’t sure when
we’d next get the chance to be together again.”
And even though the level of play—and amount of pay—is higher
in Europe, Thompson longed for a chance to demonstrate her leadership. “As a
setter, you’ve got to locate the ball, no matter where you play,” says
Thompson. In Puerto Rico, she’d also get a chance to help a team play better
than anyone expected.
Her Cataño team started strong, bolstered by fellow USA
teammates Angie Forsett (Cal)
and Jessica Jones (Minnesota), but
struggled with injuries throughout the season. The team mounted an inspired
charge throughout the playoffs, and shocked everyone by sweeping
heavily-favored Caguas 4-0 in the best-of-seven Finals. Thompson—wildly popular
for her on-court passion—was named Championship MVP. Fans in the packed arena swarmed
the court and were ready to party.
“There were, like, 7,000 people waiting for us in the plaza,”
said Thompson. “These are good, hard-working, mostly blue collar folks, and
they are absolutely proud of their city. It was the first championship in any sport
that the city had ever won, and they were ready to celebrate.”
With another championship under her belt, Thompson rejoins
what is likely the best women’s volleyball team on the planet. The US National
Team may have its best collection of athletes ever, including a bevy of great
setters. Lindsay Berg (Minnesota)
may have the inside track on one of two setter slots on the 12-person London
roster. The battle for the second opening will be epic, featuring Carly Lloyd (California), Nellie Spicer (UCLA), Alisha Glass (Penn State), and, of
course, Thompson.
“I don’t look like much, and it isn’t always pretty,” says
Thompson, “but I expect to give it my best shot.”
As if she knows how to do it any other way.
- On April 19, Thompson will be at Washington’s Hec Ed
Pavilion at 3:30pm. She’ll participate in a scrimmage with the 2012 Huskies’
team, now in their second week of spring practice.
CLARIFICATION (11:00am, 4/19/12): Thompson plans to attend today's scrimmage, but will not participate in the drills.
- Next up for the US National Team is the Grand Prix competition. The 12 players on the London Olympics roster won't be named until July.
Have u heard any 'new' news re Melanie Wade? Is she still committed to UW? Saw your Nov/11 entry where you mentioned Wade's actual NLI to UW would be delayed because of US National Team obligations. Does this mean Wade didn't sign a 'real' NLI last November as reported here, here, and here?
ReplyDeleteI asked around, and was assured that Melanie Wade intends to be in the Huskies' gym this fall. Letters of intent can be confusing; not every top recruit signs one. It usually has something to do with when and how scholarships are allocated. As you suggest, however, the increasingly popular high school signing ceremonies--like the one at Wade's school last November--sometimes signal an athlete's intent without involving an actual NCAA Letter of Intent.
DeleteThanks for checking & confirming. Confusing indeed. I've really come to appreciate "old school" journalism from contemporary bloggers. Looking forward to more from your blog.
DeleteI've heard about UW landing some top tier recruits for this coming class...Who are the new kids coming to Montlake?
ReplyDeleteAnd with Vansant, could these incoming players form a good core for coming years for the program? Thanks.
Washington will have four new players this fall: setter Katy Beals (see: http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2011/11/washingtons-austin-tx-recruit-has.html), libero Cassie Strickland (http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2011/11/washington-volleyball-recruit-once.html) and middle blockers Melanie Wade and Lianna Sybeldon (http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2011/11/washington-signs-two-recruits-two-more.html).
DeleteThese are all big-time players, which pretty much describes several Pac-12 recruiting classes, particularly Stanford, UCLA and USC.
If things are the same...
ReplyDeleteCourtney WILL be the reserve setter in London. As robust as the Honolulu native tends to be, LB will be hard pressed to last the entire two weeks @ the Games (playing all out the whole time).
Although, again things being the same, IF Karch has it in mind he WILL 'press the issue' for Spicer (Court's only true competition for 2nd setter). HC has the final say, however. :-)
Lloyd and Glass are too green, currently, and altough they do have the height on Thompson...they don't have the leadership skills--YET--which would be required of them at the international level.
Congrats!!!
*Hats off to CT; she sets a goal for herself and subsequently reaches it.
Most of the beaches you visit have volleyball nets. And, if there is not volleyball net, you can bring your own volleyball net and can arrange your own game.
ReplyDeleteSand Games