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Post by USAFAN on Jan 8, 2004 13:34:33 GMT -5
Willoughby agrees to play
for top Puerto Rican team
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By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.com
Add another line to the impressive volleyball biography of Kim Willoughby:
Professional.
Willoughby, who was named the national collegiate player of the year last month, has signed a contract to play for the Criollas de Caguas, one of the powers in the top women's league in Puerto Rico. The three-time All-American said her contract is for $55,000 for the three-month season.
"It just happened," said Willoughby, who received the offer by phone Tuesday. "I leave Saturday."
The Criollas de Caguas (Caguas Creoles) won the league's Island Division with a 15-7 record last season. The roster included former Long Beach State All-American Cheryl Weaver.
Willoughby will go to Colorado Springs, Colo., in April for the U.S. Olympic tryouts.
"Do I have a spot?" Willoughby asked. "There's no guarantees. I think based on the people who are there (on the current national team), I like my chances. But there are no guarantees."
Willoughby finished her career as the all-time UH leader in kills, kills per game and kill attempts. She is also the school's career leader in aces and digs, set several NCAA single-season records, and ranks No. 6 on the NCAA career kill list (2,598).
In her four seasons, the Rainbow Wahine advanced to the final four in 2000, 2002 and 2003, losing in the national semifinals all three times. Hawaii finished 36-2 last month, falling to Florida in Dallas.
Glad to see she is still going to try out for the National Team. 55,000 dollars for 4 months! damn, who would pass up that opportunity? And with the top college players playing on different teams, at least Kim's skills won't get rusty in the least. Cheryl Weaver, Benishe Dillard, April Ross, Katie Olsovsky, Kristee Porter, Kim definitely will be in good company. What's the scoop on Aury Cruz?
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Post by roofed! on Jan 8, 2004 13:50:15 GMT -5
Good to read that Kim W. is able to reap in those big $$ (for just 3 months' work; no wonder the top hitters are flocking to Puerto Rico instead of finishing their final semesters) as well as preserving her options to join the US team for the Olympics. Hope it all works out well for her.
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Post by sIsam on Jan 8, 2004 14:16:46 GMT -5
Well that's the kind of money top hitters get paid. Last year Eczacibasi paid Antonina Zetova of Bulgaria $60,000 for 2-3 months of play.
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Post by brybry on Jan 8, 2004 15:35:07 GMT -5
I wonder if Toshi was okay w/ her making this move or if he bitterly protested. I had thought that she had totally screwed her chances for the Olympics, but she sounded pretty confident that she'd be able to make her way onto the team. I'm wondering if that's based on what she thinks of her abilities or on what Toshi thinks of her.
Well, I hope she doesn't follow in the footsteps of Kristee Porter.
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Post by roy on Jan 8, 2004 16:10:46 GMT -5
I wonder if Toshi was okay w/ her making this move or if he bitterly protested. I had thought that she had totally screwed her chances for the Olympics, but she sounded pretty confident that she'd be able to make her way onto the team. I'm wondering if that's based on what she thinks of her abilities or on what Toshi thinks of her. Well, I hope she doesn't follow in the footsteps of Kristee Porter. I agree. But it seems as if going to the Olympics was a big dream of hers, and she has her mom and high school coach who has been encouraging her to try to make the team. I don't think she would purposely turn her back to the national team. I hope that Toshi gave her the ok to play professionally and not train at Colorado Springs. If that is the case, she may still have a shot playing in Athens. |
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Post by sIsam on Jan 8, 2004 16:16:02 GMT -5
Considering most of your nat'l team is away still I'd say getting match play might be better than training in CO Springs for her...
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Post by USAFAN on Jan 8, 2004 16:50:12 GMT -5
Agreed. The Puerto Rican league is actually getting better, and she will be getting more match play. She'll get used to living in a different place and playing with different girls than she's been accustomed to, which should be good prep for the trek to Colorado Springs. I am actually very exicted to see her play with Cheryl Weaver, if Weaver is playing there again this season. I never knew that the Puerto Rican teams made enough money to where they could offer a player 55,000 dollars. Does anyone else have any idea what the other US players are making?
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Post by kolohekeiki on Jan 8, 2004 17:41:08 GMT -5
That's great to hear that Kim Willoughby is still heading to Colorado Springs after her trek in Puerto Rico.
I actually heard it on the news last night. I was really happy because I for one along with a lot of other Wahine fans are really looking forward to seeing Kim play at the next level in the olympics. Because we feel that she can do it.
I can't believe how much money she is making in Puerto Rico for that short amount of time. I think she made a smart decision.
Anyway good luck to Kim in Puerto Rico and Colorado Springs.
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Post by Overlycheerful on Jan 8, 2004 18:47:36 GMT -5
" Do I have a spot?" Willoughby asked. "There's no guarantees. I think based on the people who are there (on the current national team), I like my chances. But there are no guarantees." This is quite the statement. Is it what she meant to say? |
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Post by GatorVball on Jan 8, 2004 18:51:33 GMT -5
What's the scoop on Aury Cruz? Italy, as far as I know, but don't know when or which team she'll be with. |
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Post by USAFAN on Jan 8, 2004 19:22:22 GMT -5
Will Aury be playing in the A1 division?
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Post by GatorVball on Jan 8, 2004 19:49:05 GMT -5
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Post by roofed! on Jan 9, 2004 0:41:27 GMT -5
Agreed. The Puerto Rican league is actually getting better, and she will be getting more match play. I agree that the Puerto Rican league will help to provide her with more match play than Colorado Spring, but I would have thought that Toshi would want the 4 collegiate players (Kim, April, Jenn Joines and Nicole Davis) start early in January at OTC so that he could get them go through the various US volleyball play schemes. Thus by the time the veterans return in April, both the veterans and the newbies would be on the "same" page. Anyway, I agree that all players with the ability to play at the highest level should be invited to OTC come April, and that the US team will put forth the best players possible. |
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Post by sIsam on Jan 9, 2004 1:32:26 GMT -5
Agreed. The Puerto Rican league is actually getting better, and she will be getting more match play. She'll get used to living in a different place and playing with different girls than she's been accustomed to, which should be good prep for the trek to Colorado Springs. I am actually very exicted to see her play with Cheryl Weaver, if Weaver is playing there again this season. I never knew that the Puerto Rican teams made enough money to where they could offer a player 55,000 dollars. Does anyone else have any idea what the other US players are making? Probably the teams have sponsors or are corporate based (as is the case here with some teams) who pay for such players. I'd say $50,000 and upwards would be what the other players are making in pro leagues around the world. Top ones in Serie A even more... |
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Post by BeiBei on Jan 9, 2004 2:20:43 GMT -5
This is quite the statement. Is it what she meant to say? I am not surprised that she feels confident about her chances. She could make it as the third outside hitter, Cross Battle should really step aside, and though Metcalf played on the outside occasionally, she really had trouble terminating on the left against the the top teams, I watched the match between china and usa on televison and Metcalf is not effective on the left, Team USA need a player like Kim |
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