| 06 September 2010
Rachel Rourke is learning a new language: Italian.
Rourke, one of Oregon State University's most decorated former volleyball players, recently signed with a professional A2 Italian team, Cedat 85 Volley San Vito. The 6-foot-5 outside hitter finished her OSU career as the best offensive player in school history, compiling a record 1,920 kills. She was an All-American honorable mention as a junior and a second team All-American as a senior.
The A2 Italian team isn't necessarily Rourke's long-term goal, either. She intends to continue moving up to compete in one of the best leagues in the world.
"I am looking more to proving myself and eventually move up to A1," Rourke told Beyond the Beat.
"I think most people look to move up to better and better teams. The A1 Italian league is one of the best in Europe, for both men and women."
Considering that Rourke only turns 22 in October, she'll likely continue to improve and become a premier player in Europe. According to the OSU Athletics Department, Rourke is the sixth former Beaver to play volleyball professionally.
Rourke is familiar with international play. A native of Queensland, Australia, she's been a key part of the Australian national volleyball program since the age of 16. Despite spending large chunks of time traveling to Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, New Zealand, and UAE to play volleyball, leaving OSU has been difficult for Rourke, and she knows the transition to Europe won't be easy.
"Everyone is very supportive (at OSU). In Europe, because many of the players aren't from that area and are there for volleyball, there is less support. OSU was a great stepping stone that, hopefully, will enable me to be able to get through some of the difficulties with living in another country …" Rourke said of her upcoming move.
"During college I had the best time of my life."
Nevertheless, the move to Europe has been in Rourke's plans for years. Playing for the Beavers was one part of preparing her for professional play.
"(I wanted to) make sure I was able to handle being in another country away from my family and that my volleyball skills were on par with the European leagues," she said of the decision to play volleyball at OSU. "It gives you the opportunity to be away from your family, but you also have many families around you with the other girls on the team."
Rourke will soon call Italy home, but she’ll always remember where she’s come from.
"I will never forget all the great people I met in the States, and moving away was the hardest thing I have had to do."
photo: democrat herald
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
