Women's Volleyball | 7/11/2018 9:16:00 AM

DENVER — Former University of Denver volleyball players Kayla Principato (Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Cassie Baird (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Sarah Schmid (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) have all three signed professional contracts to continue their volleyball careers in Europe.
"More and more of our graduating players at DU are deciding to play professionally overseas," head coach Tom Hogan said. "As someone who has coached internationally, I've seen firsthand how the experience empowers players, helps them raise the level of their game and allows them to experience the world.  At DU, our program and systems prepare our players for a seamless transition to the professional level, and their success is a tribute to the hard work they have put in while being a Pioneer."
 
Schmid and Baird will don the same jersey once again, this time at the professional level as the Pioneer duo have signed to play for VBC Cheseaux in Switzerland. The regular season for the league runs from October to March.
 
Schmid, who last year played professionally in Lindesberg, Sweden, was a Division I Midwest Region Honorable Mention selection in 2015, and a three-time All-Summit League and All-Summit League Tournament selection in her three seasons with the Pioneers after transferring from Rutgers following the 2012 season. In her senior year, Schmid led the Pioneers with a .413 hitting percentage, the 14^th-best mark in the country in 2015.
 
"Playing professionally overseas is an incredible experience," Schmid said. "Not only do I get to play the sport I love as my job, but I get to meet people from all over the world, experience different cultures, learn other languages and travel to exciting new places. It is amazing to be able to continue my volleyball career after college and see how the game is played in other parts of the world. I love all of the opportunities this sport has given me, and I'm excited to continue this journey in the years to come."
 
Baird was a two-time Summit League Honorable Mention selection in her career, and earned a spot in the Academic All-League Team in 2017. The former Pioneer outside hitter started all 29 matches in her senior year to lead Denver to its fourth-straight Summit League crown and NCAA Tournament appearance. Baird led the team in service aces in 2017 with 33, was third on the team in kills, digs and points and fifth on the team in blocks, posting five double-doubles on the season.  
 
"I'm very excited for this opportunity," Baird said. "I think being able to play in Switzerland is an amazing opportunity for me to grow as a player. DU has given me all the tools personally and athletically to be able to succeed in Europe. I'm looking forward to getting started."
 
Principato has signed to play with the top pro team in Finland, HPK Hameenlinna, which plays in the CEV (Confédération Européenne de Volleyball) and in the Mestaruusliiga (Finland top division). The New York native played her final matches in Crimson and Gold in 2017, seeing action in all 102 sets for the Pioneers. Principato was the 2017 Summit League Tournament MVP to lead Denver to its fourth-straight league title. In addition, Principato was a three-time All-Summit League selection and a two-time member of the All-Tournament Team. Principato finished second on the team in kills and points and fourth on the team in blocks and hitting percentage.
 
"I'm really excited to be playing women's professional volleyball in Hameenlinna as it is a championship team that competes in the champions league and CEV Cup," Principato said. "I am honored to play and be chosen for such an established team."
 
2018 Schedule: On June 19, Denver announced a 2018 schedule that includes 17 home game inside Hamilton Gymnasium. View the full release here. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Fans interested in making a donation to the volleyball program can do so by CLICKING HERE. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
 
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