Post by Aikea on Nov 1, 2006 18:32:31 GMT -5
www.kaleo.org/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/11/01/45482cd01754f
Born to play
With athletic blood in her veins, Cayley Thurlby was destined to be an athlete
By Magdiel Vilchez
Ka Leo Staff Reporter
November 01, 2006
Raised amongst champions and legends in the city where and in the era when the six-time NBA Champion Chicago Bulls dominated the sports world, University of Hawai‘i senior co-captain Cayley Thurlby is no stranger to winning traditions.
“I was there at the United Center when Michael [Jordan] came back,” Thurlby said. “That was a huge game to see. I love sports. I love sitting on my couch with my dad and my brother watching SportsCenter.”
In addition to growing up 30 miles from the sports mecca of Chicago, Thurlby’s mother, Jackie, was a cheerleader for the Chicago Bears. Her godmother was a member of the Luvabulls, the dance team of the Chicago Bulls. With the athletic blood running through her veins, Cayley Thurlby was destined to become an athlete.
“Volleyball has always been a part of my life,” Thurlby said. “I played club ball and it was strict. I couldn’t wear makeup or nail polish. Practiced five days a week.” She said that the amount of club ball that she played prepared her for Division I competition.
A member of one of the toughest athletic conditioning programs in the nation, the Sports Performance Club in Naperville, Ill., Thurlby spent the majority of her youth playing club volleyball. One of the many opportunities that arose when playing club ball was a trip to Beijing, China, to compete internationally.
“My coach has relations with coaches in China,” Thurlby said. “So every team year, we went to Beijing for a week and played volleyball. I saw all the different techniques, coaching styles and the culture. I knew I wanted to travel.”
After earning All-American honors in the Amateur Athletic Union Championships for club volleyball, as well as being named Player of the Year by the Naperville Sun during her senior year in high school, Thurlby made the easy decision to play for Hawai‘i.
“I picked Hawai‘i because it was totally different,” Thurlby said. “I’m independent ... I knew I’d be learning more outside of the classroom than inside.” She said that although she was recruited to play volleyball, if she had ever had a season-ending injury, she would still have been happy in Hawai‘i.
“I knew Hawai‘i was the place for me,” she said.
One of the things Thurlby didn’t know was whether to redshirt her freshman year in 2002.
“One of the biggest struggles for me has been not playing and having to battle through all the stereotypes of being an athlete,” Thurlby said. Thurlby added that when people hear players are not starters they think they aren’t good at the sport.
“If you get recruited [to UH], it means players are the best in the nation, and so you’re forced back down on the list,” Thurlby said. “You have to deal with being away from home, [going to] school and reporting to practice. Coaches own your life and tell you where to go. All of this comes at one time.”
After redshirting in 2002, the year in which the ‘Bows took out national powerhouse Nebraska at their home floor in the Elite Eight, the loss of previous setters to graduation meant that the starting setter position was up for grabs — between Thurlby and a freshman recruit from ‘Iolani High School by the name of Kanoe Kamana‘o.
“At first,” Kamana‘o said, “there was always the competitiveness between the both of us.”
Thurlby also commented on their on-court cooperation.
“We could’ve been at each other’s necks trying to compete,” she said, “and it could’ve been bad, but [we] were very respectful of each other’s ability.”
Kamana‘o, a UH co-captain, said she thinks the two have reached the point where there is mutual support, no matter who plays in a particular game.
“I know she’s there supporting me, and I’ll be there supporting her,” Kamana‘o said. “We’ve grown together in this relationship as setters, and it’s even more special this year being seniors. It has been good for the both of us.”
Though Kamana‘o won the starting spot at setter, Thurlby’s athleticism and versatility allowed her to be the ultimate utility player.
“She’s very athletic and fit,” said UH head coach Dave Shoji. “[She’s] probably the most fit girl on the team, and that’s why she’s able to do a lot of things. She has become very valuable in her role.”
Shoji explained that as the second setter, Thurlby can be there should Kanoe ever get hurt. He also said that even though Thurlby does not have a regular position or substitution, she’s as valuable as if she did.
The oldest sibling of three, Thurlby has always been a leader on and off the court. Among other activities, Thurlby recently helped organize Relay For Life, an event to raise awareness and money for cancer.
“She’s always volunteering,” Kamana‘o said. “She always likes to take on responsibilities and tasks.” She described Thurlby as having an outgoing personality, scheduling outings for the entire team. Kamana‘o worries that Thurlby stresses herself out getting things done, calling her the “mother hen” of the team.
Five years have passed quickly for the senior. With two Final Four appearances and two Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament in the past four years, Thurlby has seen UH players come and go.
“It has been a blessing just to be in the position to play with others,” Thurlby said. She has appreciated the opportunity to get to know so many different personalities.
“It’s crazy to see where (past and present players) are in life. I have gone to four weddings in the past four months. All of them are beautiful people and you take a little bit of everyone with you,” Thurlby added.
A double major in communications and marketing, Thurlby holds plenty of accolades, including broadcasting experience as a KHON2 intern in the summer of 2004. But for the Academic All-Western Athletic Conference honoree, volleyball will continue to be a major part of her life after she graduates in the winter. Thurlby will continue to rack up frequent flyer miles as she adds European travel to her extensive life itinerary. She leaves in January for a chance to get picked up by an international volleyball team.
“I booked my ticket yesterday,” Thurlby said last week. “It’s a 10-day tryout to see if any team wants to pick me up.” Thurlby is taking Italian now and said that she would be happy to go to Spain, Italy or France.
“I’m not going to be picky,” she added. “I’ll just be grateful for the gift God gave me and be happy wherever He takes me.”
Whatever country the Windy City blows Thurlby into next, whether for Olympic, international or beach competition, one thing is for certain: she will bring her volleyball with her.
“I just want to try make a living off playing volleyball,” She said.
Born to play
With athletic blood in her veins, Cayley Thurlby was destined to be an athlete
By Magdiel Vilchez
Ka Leo Staff Reporter
November 01, 2006
Raised amongst champions and legends in the city where and in the era when the six-time NBA Champion Chicago Bulls dominated the sports world, University of Hawai‘i senior co-captain Cayley Thurlby is no stranger to winning traditions.
“I was there at the United Center when Michael [Jordan] came back,” Thurlby said. “That was a huge game to see. I love sports. I love sitting on my couch with my dad and my brother watching SportsCenter.”
In addition to growing up 30 miles from the sports mecca of Chicago, Thurlby’s mother, Jackie, was a cheerleader for the Chicago Bears. Her godmother was a member of the Luvabulls, the dance team of the Chicago Bulls. With the athletic blood running through her veins, Cayley Thurlby was destined to become an athlete.
“Volleyball has always been a part of my life,” Thurlby said. “I played club ball and it was strict. I couldn’t wear makeup or nail polish. Practiced five days a week.” She said that the amount of club ball that she played prepared her for Division I competition.
A member of one of the toughest athletic conditioning programs in the nation, the Sports Performance Club in Naperville, Ill., Thurlby spent the majority of her youth playing club volleyball. One of the many opportunities that arose when playing club ball was a trip to Beijing, China, to compete internationally.
“My coach has relations with coaches in China,” Thurlby said. “So every team year, we went to Beijing for a week and played volleyball. I saw all the different techniques, coaching styles and the culture. I knew I wanted to travel.”
After earning All-American honors in the Amateur Athletic Union Championships for club volleyball, as well as being named Player of the Year by the Naperville Sun during her senior year in high school, Thurlby made the easy decision to play for Hawai‘i.
“I picked Hawai‘i because it was totally different,” Thurlby said. “I’m independent ... I knew I’d be learning more outside of the classroom than inside.” She said that although she was recruited to play volleyball, if she had ever had a season-ending injury, she would still have been happy in Hawai‘i.
“I knew Hawai‘i was the place for me,” she said.
One of the things Thurlby didn’t know was whether to redshirt her freshman year in 2002.
“One of the biggest struggles for me has been not playing and having to battle through all the stereotypes of being an athlete,” Thurlby said. Thurlby added that when people hear players are not starters they think they aren’t good at the sport.
“If you get recruited [to UH], it means players are the best in the nation, and so you’re forced back down on the list,” Thurlby said. “You have to deal with being away from home, [going to] school and reporting to practice. Coaches own your life and tell you where to go. All of this comes at one time.”
After redshirting in 2002, the year in which the ‘Bows took out national powerhouse Nebraska at their home floor in the Elite Eight, the loss of previous setters to graduation meant that the starting setter position was up for grabs — between Thurlby and a freshman recruit from ‘Iolani High School by the name of Kanoe Kamana‘o.
“At first,” Kamana‘o said, “there was always the competitiveness between the both of us.”
Thurlby also commented on their on-court cooperation.
“We could’ve been at each other’s necks trying to compete,” she said, “and it could’ve been bad, but [we] were very respectful of each other’s ability.”
Kamana‘o, a UH co-captain, said she thinks the two have reached the point where there is mutual support, no matter who plays in a particular game.
“I know she’s there supporting me, and I’ll be there supporting her,” Kamana‘o said. “We’ve grown together in this relationship as setters, and it’s even more special this year being seniors. It has been good for the both of us.”
Though Kamana‘o won the starting spot at setter, Thurlby’s athleticism and versatility allowed her to be the ultimate utility player.
“She’s very athletic and fit,” said UH head coach Dave Shoji. “[She’s] probably the most fit girl on the team, and that’s why she’s able to do a lot of things. She has become very valuable in her role.”
Shoji explained that as the second setter, Thurlby can be there should Kanoe ever get hurt. He also said that even though Thurlby does not have a regular position or substitution, she’s as valuable as if she did.
The oldest sibling of three, Thurlby has always been a leader on and off the court. Among other activities, Thurlby recently helped organize Relay For Life, an event to raise awareness and money for cancer.
“She’s always volunteering,” Kamana‘o said. “She always likes to take on responsibilities and tasks.” She described Thurlby as having an outgoing personality, scheduling outings for the entire team. Kamana‘o worries that Thurlby stresses herself out getting things done, calling her the “mother hen” of the team.
Five years have passed quickly for the senior. With two Final Four appearances and two Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament in the past four years, Thurlby has seen UH players come and go.
“It has been a blessing just to be in the position to play with others,” Thurlby said. She has appreciated the opportunity to get to know so many different personalities.
“It’s crazy to see where (past and present players) are in life. I have gone to four weddings in the past four months. All of them are beautiful people and you take a little bit of everyone with you,” Thurlby added.
A double major in communications and marketing, Thurlby holds plenty of accolades, including broadcasting experience as a KHON2 intern in the summer of 2004. But for the Academic All-Western Athletic Conference honoree, volleyball will continue to be a major part of her life after she graduates in the winter. Thurlby will continue to rack up frequent flyer miles as she adds European travel to her extensive life itinerary. She leaves in January for a chance to get picked up by an international volleyball team.
“I booked my ticket yesterday,” Thurlby said last week. “It’s a 10-day tryout to see if any team wants to pick me up.” Thurlby is taking Italian now and said that she would be happy to go to Spain, Italy or France.
“I’m not going to be picky,” she added. “I’ll just be grateful for the gift God gave me and be happy wherever He takes me.”
Whatever country the Windy City blows Thurlby into next, whether for Olympic, international or beach competition, one thing is for certain: she will bring her volleyball with her.
“I just want to try make a living off playing volleyball,” She said.
