Colorado University Athletics
Alexis Austin celebrates with her teammates
Catching Up With Alexis Austin
July 07, 2017 | Volleyball
BOULDER - Former Colorado volleyball player Alexis Austin recently wrapped up her first season playing professional volleyball in Europe.
CUBuffs.com connected with Austin to talk about her experience.
When you left to start your professional career, what were you expecting?
Well, with the team that I played for, I actually had to arrive in Poland the first week in August which was a bit scary to me and nerve wrecking. I tried not to put too many expectations on living/playing overseas. I expected it to be hard understanding my coaches and teammates, getting used to the way they play, and used to the town I was in (such as finding out where everything is and being a new face/getting stared at a lot). But I also tried to prepare myself for the worse, such as delayed payments, trying not to get frustrated, and all the stuff that could go wrong on the business side of things.
What was the biggest difference for you from the collegiate game to the professional game?
The biggest difference that I saw between the collegiate game to the professional game was how relaxed everyone was before and after the games. The warm-up wasn't as long, everyone would talk with the other team/coaches, and there was no intimidation or like "game mentality" on the court. It reminded me a little bit of the club volleyball days! As for the collegiate level, everything was precise, they want to make sure the players are warm & ready to go; we don't really talk to our opponents, and everyone has their game face on! So, that's what I think was the biggest difference for me.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in a new country, playing professionally for the first time?
I feel the biggest challenge I had to overcome was to be okay with not knowing and not fulling understanding what's going on all the time. Of course, they speak a different language and a lot of times you wouldn't know what they said about you, a piece of info you needed for practice, or exactly what the coach wants you to do. I had to learn how not to get so easily frustrated with things because of being "left out" of some conversations/situations and to adapt to whatever the unknown brings to light at that time and place.
Volleyball seems to be a very small world. Did you play with or against any former teammates or former collegiate rivals? If so, how was that experience?
Small world it is indeed! I was lucky enough to play with another Pac-12 player, Alicia Ogoms, who played at the University of Southern California (USC). By all means, USC was not our rival school, but they did give us a run for our money and were one of the only teams we could not beat when I attended CU. This was both of our first time playing overseas, and all I can say is if she was not there with me to keep me sane (and vice versa) we would not have made it through this season! With all the challenges and difficulties that we had to face this past season we made sure we looked out for one another, and kept each other encouraged an uplifted! She's a true gem and a stellar athlete!
When you returned home to Houston after your first season, what was the first thing you did and why?
Well, believe it or not my flight got in on Easter Sunday morning, and the first things I did was go have breakfast with my parents, then went to church where I was greeted with a big hug from my brother! I did these things because I love my family more than I can express and they mean the world to me. Another reason being, after having a very stressful three weeks before returning home due to contract limitations, I was truly determined to get home before Easter so I could go to church and praise the Lord while being surrounded by the people that I love the most.
What are your plans for next season?
As of right now, my plan for next season is to continue playing. I'm currently in the middle of finding the next country that I'll make home for the next eight months.
What is the best piece of advice you have for anyone who wants to pursue a professional volleyball career after college?
The best piece of advice I can give to anyone who wants to purse a professional volleyball career or play overseas in general is to TAKE YOUR TIME! Take your time in choosing your manager/agent (make sure it's someone who has your best interest at heart), and take your time on choosing a team! Most teams will be a bit "pushy" as they are trying to complete their rosters as soon as possible but if it doesn't feel good & feels rushed DON'T DO IT! You should feel good about your decision and confident going in!
CUBuffs.com connected with Austin to talk about her experience.
When you left to start your professional career, what were you expecting?
Well, with the team that I played for, I actually had to arrive in Poland the first week in August which was a bit scary to me and nerve wrecking. I tried not to put too many expectations on living/playing overseas. I expected it to be hard understanding my coaches and teammates, getting used to the way they play, and used to the town I was in (such as finding out where everything is and being a new face/getting stared at a lot). But I also tried to prepare myself for the worse, such as delayed payments, trying not to get frustrated, and all the stuff that could go wrong on the business side of things.
What was the biggest difference for you from the collegiate game to the professional game?The biggest difference that I saw between the collegiate game to the professional game was how relaxed everyone was before and after the games. The warm-up wasn't as long, everyone would talk with the other team/coaches, and there was no intimidation or like "game mentality" on the court. It reminded me a little bit of the club volleyball days! As for the collegiate level, everything was precise, they want to make sure the players are warm & ready to go; we don't really talk to our opponents, and everyone has their game face on! So, that's what I think was the biggest difference for me.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in a new country, playing professionally for the first time?
I feel the biggest challenge I had to overcome was to be okay with not knowing and not fulling understanding what's going on all the time. Of course, they speak a different language and a lot of times you wouldn't know what they said about you, a piece of info you needed for practice, or exactly what the coach wants you to do. I had to learn how not to get so easily frustrated with things because of being "left out" of some conversations/situations and to adapt to whatever the unknown brings to light at that time and place.
Volleyball seems to be a very small world. Did you play with or against any former teammates or former collegiate rivals? If so, how was that experience?
Small world it is indeed! I was lucky enough to play with another Pac-12 player, Alicia Ogoms, who played at the University of Southern California (USC). By all means, USC was not our rival school, but they did give us a run for our money and were one of the only teams we could not beat when I attended CU. This was both of our first time playing overseas, and all I can say is if she was not there with me to keep me sane (and vice versa) we would not have made it through this season! With all the challenges and difficulties that we had to face this past season we made sure we looked out for one another, and kept each other encouraged an uplifted! She's a true gem and a stellar athlete!
When you returned home to Houston after your first season, what was the first thing you did and why? Well, believe it or not my flight got in on Easter Sunday morning, and the first things I did was go have breakfast with my parents, then went to church where I was greeted with a big hug from my brother! I did these things because I love my family more than I can express and they mean the world to me. Another reason being, after having a very stressful three weeks before returning home due to contract limitations, I was truly determined to get home before Easter so I could go to church and praise the Lord while being surrounded by the people that I love the most.
What are your plans for next season?
As of right now, my plan for next season is to continue playing. I'm currently in the middle of finding the next country that I'll make home for the next eight months.
What is the best piece of advice you have for anyone who wants to pursue a professional volleyball career after college?
The best piece of advice I can give to anyone who wants to purse a professional volleyball career or play overseas in general is to TAKE YOUR TIME! Take your time in choosing your manager/agent (make sure it's someone who has your best interest at heart), and take your time on choosing a team! Most teams will be a bit "pushy" as they are trying to complete their rosters as soon as possible but if it doesn't feel good & feels rushed DON'T DO IT! You should feel good about your decision and confident going in!
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