Gophers in the Pros: Sarah Wilhite Parsons

Sarah Parsons (nee' Wilhite) was an All-Big Ten selection and All-American in 2016. She's also Minnesota's first player to ever be named the AVCA National Player of the Year in 2016. Parsons is now in her third year of playing professional volleyball, this time with Sesi Vôlei Bauru in Brazil before the season was finished due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with her time playing international volleyball, Parsons is also a member of the United States National Team. Check out how her pro season went, what it was like to live in Brazil and what the USA Volleyball scene looks like now in the latest Gophers in the Pros!

You've had a busy season finishing with USA Volleyball and then playing during your professional season. What was it like for you going from USA Volleyball to playing professionally this season?
"The transition from playing with USA Volleyball in the summer to playing professionally overseas is always way faster than I anticipate. I had about a week at home in Minnesota before catching a flight to Brazil and beginning my journey there. This year in particular, I had a difficult time transitioning because I ended my summer in California with an injury and therefore began my year abroad with an injury. It was exhausting mentally, emotionally, and physically, but through that experience, I learned to work through adversity and I really grew as a player."

You're playing in Brazil this year. What was the process like for you to play in Brazil and tell us about how your season went prior to COVID-19 ending your season?
"When I heard I had opportunity to play in Brazil, I was so excited because I knew the strength of the league and how competitive it was. I had been to Brazil a couple of times with the USA Volleyball team so I had a small idea of what the culture was like, how the fans were, and the beauty of the country itself. My team got better and better as the year went on, so it was unfortunate our season ended the way it did. Ultimately, I am grateful the league put the health of all individuals first, but I am sad to have left with unfinished business. We finished fourth in the league, but always put up a fight against the top three teams; I would have loved to finish the season with my teammates and coaches, but respect the decision that had to be made."

Could you share with us how the season came to an abrupt end for you this year?
"COVID-19 caused a very abrupt finish to my season in Brazil. Time for a little story of how it happened! We were supposed to start playoffs on Saturday, March 14. The day before, I was telling friends and family that the virus had not had a dramatic impact on the season and that there was no talk of the playoffs being postponed or cancelled (that I knew of). Later that night at practice, we were thrown a curve-ball and were told that the first playoff game would be behind closed doors. Fast forward to the next day, three hours before the match, we received a message saying the league was postponed for 15 days (at least). After team meetings and more time to process, I decided that it was best I prepared to leave Brazil to return to the United States. I had originally asked for a flight the following Saturday (March 20), but then because of concerns regarding flights being cancelled, I was told I had one hour to pack my things and leave to catch a flight back to Minnesota. The hardest part was not packing my things in one hour, it was not having the time or opportunity to say goodbye to my teammates and coaches. I made it home safely and shortly after was told the league was cancelled."

What was the best part of living in Brazil this past pro season?
"The best part of living in Brazil was definitely the people. From my teammates, to my coaches, to just the people I would meet daily in the grocery stores, everyone was so kind and welcoming. They were understanding and always willing to help, even when I spoke zero Portuguese. Some of my closest friends on the team did not speak any English! It was a unique experience and I left feeling very grateful for the people I met and the connections I made."

This was your first season in Brazil. What are some of the major differences you've seen compared to the Italian and German leagues you've played for in the past?
"I would say the biggest difference was the language. On my previous teams in Italy and Germany, the majority of my teammates and coaches spoke at least a little English. In Brazil, the language barrier was much more severe so I was forced to revert to a lot of charade, while attempting (but not succeeding) at speaking some Portuguese. My teammates were thankfully very understanding and as I got to know them, and they got to know me, the language barrier wasn't as much of an issue. The other major difference was the weather! It was summer in Brazil while I was there so it was a nice break from the winters experienced in Europe (and Minnesota!!)."

Now that the Olympics have been delayed a year, what does this next year look like for you?
"The next year holds a lot of unknowns. The news of the Olympics not taking place this summer was devastating for me and so many others, however we were all so grateful they decided to postpone and not cancel. We have another year to grow and get better! I am not sure what this next year will look like for me, but the plan is to continue to work and hopefully be in California at some point. There may be no national team competitions this summer, so we will be eager to find ways to still grow as a team as we prepare for 2021 Olympics. Like the rest of the world, we don't know what the next months will be like but we are all trying to stay optimistic and stay healthy."

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