Jan. 11, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - While most Texas A&M students will soon be returning to campus for the spring semester, former Aggie volleyball standout Sarah Ammerman will be heading to Puerto Rico to begin her professional volleyball career. The 6-2 outside hitter from Parker, Colo., has signed to play for the Ponce Lionesses of the Women's Super Volleyball League, a member of the Puerto Rico Volleyball Federation.
"To play professionally is something I've always wanted to do," said Ammerman, who completed a stellar four-year collegiate career in December after helping lead the Aggies to the NCAA regional semifinals and a 20-11 record. "I can't really imagine my life without volleyball, and being able to continue playing is an awesome feeling. I get to continue doing what I love, and being able to do it at the next level just makes it that much better."
Ammerman brings along an impressive résumé to the next chapter of her volleyball career, having capped her A&M tenure last month by being named third-team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She also received AVCA All-Central Region and All-Big 12 first team honors and was named to the NCAA Omaha Regional all-tournament team, in addition to numerous other accolades.
Ammerman posted double figures in kills in 24 of 30 matches in 2009, tallying 20 or more kills seven times, including her second 26-kill performance of the season in A&M's stunning 3-2 victory at No. 15 seed LSU in the NCAA second round. She led A&M and ranked second in the Big 12 and 25th in the nation with 4.31 kills per set for the season. Ammerman also led the Aggies and ranked second in the conference and 35th in the country with 4.70 points per set.
The four-year starter completed her illustrious Aggie career ranked third in the A&M career records in points (1708.5), fourth in kills (1,518) and tied for 14th in digs (1,009). She also became the 10th player in program history to reach the 1,000-milestone in both kills and digs.
"I have looked into what is the next step after college ball, and I knew Puerto Rico was a very realistic option for me," Ammerman said. "I've always had it in the back of my mind, and after the season when it came up and the team pursued me, it worked out that I'm able to go."
Two other highly touted Americans also have signed to play for Ponce, which is limited to three foreign players according to league rules. Three-time All-American setter Nellie Spicer, who played at UCLA from 2005 to 2008, and University of Oregon 6-1 outside hitter Sonja Newcome, a second-team All-American who ranked 20th in the nation in both kills (4.35) and points (4.89) per set as a senior in 2009, join Ammerman on the team and also will likely be her roommates at the team-provided housing.
"I've never met them but I have played against Nellie growing up and I'm excited to be on the same team," said Ammerman, who is expecting the international game to be quite a change from the college game from a team standpoint.
"I think the biggest difference is going to be the team dynamic of it all. On all the teams that I've played for, leadership and chemistry were really important. At the professional level, I think it's going to be a really different experience just from the intangible aspect of it. I might be wrong, but it is going to be more working on your individual game."
Ammerman, who is majoring in university studies with a business concentration along with minors in agricultural journalism and sport management, will return to A&M after the season concludes in May and enroll in summer school to complete the 10 hours she lacks to graduate. She then hopes her stint in Puerto Rico will lead to another professional playing opportunity, possibly in Europe where league play begins in the fall.
"The timing works our really well," Ammerman said. "Playing in Puerto Rico will offer me a really good professional experience and help me broaden my game even more.
"It's just the next step, and it's a great opportunity for where I am in my life right now. I'll come back and finish school in the summer and then I'm thinking I'll go play in Europe in the fall. I just want to play as long as I can."