Photo by: Reagan Lee
Avery Signs Professional Contract with AEL Limassol
9/16/2019 3:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Another California Baptist University volleyball player is headed to a professional career overseas after Summer Avery signed a professional contract to play for the AEL Limassol in Cyprus, Greece.
"I've always wanted to live abroad and playing professional volleyball has been a dream of mine for a really long time," said Avery, who's the second Lancer set to play professionally this season overseas after Sydney Kralj signed with Sens Olympique Club Volleyball in Sens, France.
It all comes on the heels of Avery's fantastic senior season for the Lancers. She left quite the impression on CBU in just one year after transferring in as a graduate student after three seasons of indoor volleyball for more of beach at San Jose State.
Avery did a bit of everything on the court for CBU, from leadership to statistics. She played and started all 32 matches, and finished the year ranked second on the team with 342 digs (2.69 a set) and third with 332 kills (2.61 a set). She posted 10 double-doubles, along with 73 blocks and 21 aces as a full-rotation opposite hitter.
"I really think my experience at CBU changed my life for the better," Avery said. "I came into CBU not really knowing the type of player I was. I had played for four years and I had some ups and some good games, but I wasn't consistent. I really grew as a player in my time at CBU. It was really the most amazing experience for me."
CBU enjoyed a dream season with Avery on the court. The Lancers went 21-11 overall, qualified for the National Invitational Volleyball Championship and won their postseason opener. Even though it was just one season, Avery said she'll never forget her time at CBU and how much it shaped her for life after college.
"The coaches and team were so encouraging and inspiring to me. They filled me up in so many ways, and encouraged me to play professionally," Avery said. "I felt very full playing there, and I really fell in love with the game. If I didn't have this year at CBU, I don't think this opportunity would have been there for me to play professionally.
In fact, Avery's journey to a professional career began as a result of CBU's foreign tour to Japan in May. She went along to give the Lancers more depth subsequent to her last season of representing CBU competition.
During the trip, Avery met an employee of the tour company, Bring It Promotions (BIP), who served as CBU's tour guide. BIP is a full-service volleyball travel agency that specializes in international volleyball tours and events, as well as professional career development.
Upon her return from Japan, Avery explored seeking an agent through BIP and creating game film of herself to show to other teams. One of the first teams to show interested was AEL Limassol, but she had several options to weigh out, including pursuing a professional career in beach volleyball.
"I leaned toward Cyprus because the coaches, team and the president of the club reached out to me and they made me feel really comfortable and explained the situation what it would be like," Avery said. "Ultimately, I chose this indoor contract because it was a bigger risk for me. It was more about the experience and having the opportunity to pursue something I wanted for so long in another country."
Expectations will be high for AEL Limassol and Avery once their season begins in October. The club won their division last year, and will look to repeat.
"I am the first and only American on this team, they have never had an American player," Avery said. "I just really want to challenge myself as a player and as a person."
"I've always wanted to live abroad and playing professional volleyball has been a dream of mine for a really long time," said Avery, who's the second Lancer set to play professionally this season overseas after Sydney Kralj signed with Sens Olympique Club Volleyball in Sens, France.
It all comes on the heels of Avery's fantastic senior season for the Lancers. She left quite the impression on CBU in just one year after transferring in as a graduate student after three seasons of indoor volleyball for more of beach at San Jose State.
Avery did a bit of everything on the court for CBU, from leadership to statistics. She played and started all 32 matches, and finished the year ranked second on the team with 342 digs (2.69 a set) and third with 332 kills (2.61 a set). She posted 10 double-doubles, along with 73 blocks and 21 aces as a full-rotation opposite hitter.
"I really think my experience at CBU changed my life for the better," Avery said. "I came into CBU not really knowing the type of player I was. I had played for four years and I had some ups and some good games, but I wasn't consistent. I really grew as a player in my time at CBU. It was really the most amazing experience for me."
CBU enjoyed a dream season with Avery on the court. The Lancers went 21-11 overall, qualified for the National Invitational Volleyball Championship and won their postseason opener. Even though it was just one season, Avery said she'll never forget her time at CBU and how much it shaped her for life after college.
"The coaches and team were so encouraging and inspiring to me. They filled me up in so many ways, and encouraged me to play professionally," Avery said. "I felt very full playing there, and I really fell in love with the game. If I didn't have this year at CBU, I don't think this opportunity would have been there for me to play professionally.
In fact, Avery's journey to a professional career began as a result of CBU's foreign tour to Japan in May. She went along to give the Lancers more depth subsequent to her last season of representing CBU competition.
During the trip, Avery met an employee of the tour company, Bring It Promotions (BIP), who served as CBU's tour guide. BIP is a full-service volleyball travel agency that specializes in international volleyball tours and events, as well as professional career development.
Upon her return from Japan, Avery explored seeking an agent through BIP and creating game film of herself to show to other teams. One of the first teams to show interested was AEL Limassol, but she had several options to weigh out, including pursuing a professional career in beach volleyball.
"I leaned toward Cyprus because the coaches, team and the president of the club reached out to me and they made me feel really comfortable and explained the situation what it would be like," Avery said. "Ultimately, I chose this indoor contract because it was a bigger risk for me. It was more about the experience and having the opportunity to pursue something I wanted for so long in another country."
Expectations will be high for AEL Limassol and Avery once their season begins in October. The club won their division last year, and will look to repeat.
"I am the first and only American on this team, they have never had an American player," Avery said. "I just really want to challenge myself as a player and as a person."
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