University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers in the Pros: Sarah Wilhite
1/25/2018 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jan. 25, 2018 
Sarah Wilhite has had quite the year. The never before All-Big Ten or All-American burst onto the national volleyball scene and was named the 2016 AVCA National Player of the Year. After completing on-campus courses and training with Gopher Volleyball in the spring of 2017, Wilhite went on to sign her first professional contract with Busto Arsizio in the Italian league. She also trained and competed with USA Volleyball prior to her Italian committment. Read more about her first experience in this question/answer session.
Gophersports: You're playing your first season of professional volleyball. How did you land a spot with Busto Arsizio in May last year, how did this transpire?
Sarah Wilhite: Following my senior season at the University of Minnesota, I realized I did not want to be done playing volleyball. I still had credits to finish so I stayed on campus spring 2017 and was given the opportunity to train with the team all semester. With the help of the coaching staff, teammates, friends, and family, I was motivated to continue my volleyball career professionally. I signed with an agent early May and with the help of him and coach Hugh (McCutcheon), I was able to make a dream become reality. Playing in Italy was a goal of mine so I was ecstatic to hear I had an offer from Busto Arsizio. It all happened very quickly, but I'm currently five months in and I wouldn't change a thing!
GS: How has your first international experience been going so far?
SW: Many emotions come to mind when I think about how my first international experience has been so far. In college, my home was 25 minutes away, now, it's a 12-hour travel day away. Family and friends have been able to visit but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't homesick! I've been told that is completely normal by other USA athletes and am encouraged by that. I absolutely love Italy--the culture, the food, the people. It's a beautiful country and I've enjoyed exploring a new city every chance I get! My team is also great. I've been blessed with teammates and coaches who work hard and strive to get better each day in the gym. The Italian league is extremely competitive; every match is a battle and that makes this experience even better.
GS: How did Minnesota Volleyball prepare you for the international game?
SW: I am confident to say I would not be where I am today without Minnesota Volleyball. I was taught how to compete, work hard, be a good teammate, and learn, which has helped me immensely in this next stage of my career. I'm grateful for not only the technical instruction I received at Minnesota, but also the life lessons that I learned and can carry with me now and beyond volleyball.
GS: You got to also compete in the USA gym and travel with the team. Describe your time with the national team.
SW: Competing in the USA gym is something I never thought would happen. I've always looked up to the national team players so having the opportunity to compete alongside them last summer was surreal! I learned a lot from both the coaches and players and left motivated to keep pursuing volleyball. My heart for the game continues to grow and the culture in the USA gym is a huge reason for that. Traveling for World Grand Prix, wearing a USA jersey for the first time, was an experience I will never forget.
GS: What advice would you give to current college players who wish to go and play professionally?
SW: To the current players who wish to go and play professionally, I encourage you dream big dreams and fully commit to the experience! The chance to play the sport you love while living in a different country is a once in a lifetime experience- take advantage of it!!
GS: Looking back at your college career, what were some of the lessons you learned both as a student and an athlete there?
SW: Being a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota has taught me how to set goals and work hard to achieve them, whether it has to do with school, volleyball, a job, or relationships. I have learned the importance of working towards something bigger than myself. Every day, I'm thankful for the lessons learned at the University of Minnesota and look forward to applying them the rest of my volleyball career and in everyday life.
Sarah Wilhite has had quite the year. The never before All-Big Ten or All-American burst onto the national volleyball scene and was named the 2016 AVCA National Player of the Year. After completing on-campus courses and training with Gopher Volleyball in the spring of 2017, Wilhite went on to sign her first professional contract with Busto Arsizio in the Italian league. She also trained and competed with USA Volleyball prior to her Italian committment. Read more about her first experience in this question/answer session.
Gophersports: You're playing your first season of professional volleyball. How did you land a spot with Busto Arsizio in May last year, how did this transpire?
Sarah Wilhite: Following my senior season at the University of Minnesota, I realized I did not want to be done playing volleyball. I still had credits to finish so I stayed on campus spring 2017 and was given the opportunity to train with the team all semester. With the help of the coaching staff, teammates, friends, and family, I was motivated to continue my volleyball career professionally. I signed with an agent early May and with the help of him and coach Hugh (McCutcheon), I was able to make a dream become reality. Playing in Italy was a goal of mine so I was ecstatic to hear I had an offer from Busto Arsizio. It all happened very quickly, but I'm currently five months in and I wouldn't change a thing!
GS: How has your first international experience been going so far?
SW: Many emotions come to mind when I think about how my first international experience has been so far. In college, my home was 25 minutes away, now, it's a 12-hour travel day away. Family and friends have been able to visit but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't homesick! I've been told that is completely normal by other USA athletes and am encouraged by that. I absolutely love Italy--the culture, the food, the people. It's a beautiful country and I've enjoyed exploring a new city every chance I get! My team is also great. I've been blessed with teammates and coaches who work hard and strive to get better each day in the gym. The Italian league is extremely competitive; every match is a battle and that makes this experience even better.
GS: How did Minnesota Volleyball prepare you for the international game?
SW: I am confident to say I would not be where I am today without Minnesota Volleyball. I was taught how to compete, work hard, be a good teammate, and learn, which has helped me immensely in this next stage of my career. I'm grateful for not only the technical instruction I received at Minnesota, but also the life lessons that I learned and can carry with me now and beyond volleyball.
GS: You got to also compete in the USA gym and travel with the team. Describe your time with the national team.
SW: Competing in the USA gym is something I never thought would happen. I've always looked up to the national team players so having the opportunity to compete alongside them last summer was surreal! I learned a lot from both the coaches and players and left motivated to keep pursuing volleyball. My heart for the game continues to grow and the culture in the USA gym is a huge reason for that. Traveling for World Grand Prix, wearing a USA jersey for the first time, was an experience I will never forget.
GS: What advice would you give to current college players who wish to go and play professionally?
SW: To the current players who wish to go and play professionally, I encourage you dream big dreams and fully commit to the experience! The chance to play the sport you love while living in a different country is a once in a lifetime experience- take advantage of it!!
GS: Looking back at your college career, what were some of the lessons you learned both as a student and an athlete there?
SW: Being a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota has taught me how to set goals and work hard to achieve them, whether it has to do with school, volleyball, a job, or relationships. I have learned the importance of working towards something bigger than myself. Every day, I'm thankful for the lessons learned at the University of Minnesota and look forward to applying them the rest of my volleyball career and in everyday life.
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