Volleyball Strong Stories

Kate Fagundes | Vanguard University Women’s Volleyball

“As a current college athlete, one thing I have learned is how much strength and conditioning can elevate one's game. I started lifting the summer going into my freshman year and quickly learned to love it. In my experience, many athletes tend to focus more energy on their sport rather than in the weight room, but both are crucial for optimal performance. As a libero, it is imperative that you can make quick reads, powerful movements, and get on and off the floor quickly. Lifting has allowed me to build a significant amount of muscle mass and increase my speed, two key components that have made me successful on the volleyball court. Additionally, focusing on injury prevention through strength training has enabled me to compete at a high level for longer periods, while also enhancing my ability to recover faster when injuries do occur. During the recruiting process, being part of a strength and conditioning program was one thing that gave me an advantage over thousands of other recruits.  

Before college, I trained with Coach Craig, and he pushed me to be my best and prepared me for college athletics. The transition from high school to college sports can be daunting, but training with Craig gave me the confidence and physical readiness to succeed. 

Coming in as a freshman I was able to outlift many of the upperclassmen and not lose stamina during tough conditioning and long rallies. This success in the weight room built confidence and translated to improved performance on the volleyball court.”

Annalee Abell | Georgetown University Women’s Volleyball

“As a former college athlete from Georgetown University, I can say with no hesitations that strength and conditioning gave me an edge over my opponents.

I first started lifting and conditioning in high school for an advanced high school volleyball program, which put me at a huge advantage over programs that did not incorporate those skills. 

While at Georgetown, the strength and conditioning was designed for my sport, which made me stronger mentally and physically, but also kept me safer and stronger for longer periods of time. It is an essential aspect of being an elite athlete and I would not have been as successful a volleyball player without it.”