The CWSA Podcast S1E31: Sarah Pavan, 2007 Award Winner

Sarah Pavan, the 2007 Honda Cup winner is one of the best and rarest examples of a volleyball athlete who excelled at both indoor and beach games at the highest level. A collegiate four-time All American and University of Nebraska National Champion, Sarah went on to play professionally and is now headed to the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.

Coming from a sports minded family in Kitchener, Canada, Sarah shares what it was like to be a member of her Canadian national volleyball team at the age of 16. She relates her journey to the U.S., and then the close bonds that brought the Huskers a collegiate national championship .

One of her favorite quotes given to her by her collegiate coach was Thoreau’s “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.” This would serve her well as she fulfilled her dream to become an Olympian. Though beach volleyball was not initially on her radar she saw it as the path to fulfill that dream. Continuing to play professionally, both indoor and outdoor she shares the differences in the games and the necessary transitions to be made.

Sarah, a hard hitting 6’6” lefty, notes that from sport one learns discipline, teamwork, communication skills and confidence and would not be the person she is without sport. She encourages all youth to be involved in sport and laments that girls are dropping out at an early age. During the pandemic she wanted to connect with those volleyballers who were quarantined and created ‘Sarah Pavan Volleyball’ on You Tube, helping beginners to learn basic volleyball. Sarah closes by recognizing the difference collegiate sports made in shaping her life. If you want to cheer on a great athlete, accomplished student and delightful person cheer on the Canadian team of Sarah and Melissa ( Humana-Parades) in the Tokyo Olympics beach volleyball.

Host: Chris Voelz
A co-production of WiSP Sports and the Collegiate Women's Sports Awards

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