DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball program had four former players sign professional contracts with teams in Europe this offseason. Recent graduates Becca Latham and Emma Willis will be playing in Italy and Switzerland, respectively. Sarah Schmid will continue her professional career this season in France and Cassie Baird will play in Portugal.
 
"More and more of our graduating players at DU are deciding to continue their careers and 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 Pioneers."
 
Latham will join Italian team Futura Volley Giovani for the 2019-20 campaign, a team that has won four trophies in the last two seasons, a pair of promotions and two Italian cups. In her 2018 campaign in Crimson and Gold, Latham saw action in all 110 sets, leading the team in kills with 358, while ranking third on the team with 64 total blocks. The two-time All-Summit League selection averaged a .311 hitting percentage and recorded a team-high 391 points.
 
"I'm so excited to have this opportunity to continue playing the sport I love in Italy," Latham said. "The DU volleyball coaching staff and the DU athletics program have made it possible for me to live out my dream of being a professional volleyball player and I'm so grateful."
 
Willis signed her first professional contract with VFM Franches Montagnes in Switzerland. The two-time Summit League Honorable Mention selection started all 30 matches for the Pioneers last season, ranking second on the team in total blocks and fifth in kills with 187. Willis was nationally ranked in blocks per set (1.01), hitting percentage (3.26) and total blocks (111).
 
"I am so grateful for the opportunity to play overseas," Willis said. "It's been my dream to play professionally since I started playing volleyball as a kid and I am so excited that dream is coming true. I couldn't have done it without my experience and connections at DU and I am so excited to continue to represent the Pios in Switzerland by playing the sport I love."
 
Schmid is set for her third professional season in Europe and her first in France, after campaigns in Sweden and Switzerland. The former Pioneer middle blocker will play for Saint-Raphael Volley in 2019-20, winners of the 2019 Coupe de France. Schmid 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.
 
"I'm very excited to continue my professional volleyball career this year in France," Schmid said. "This will be my third year abroad and I am so grateful for my time in Sweden and Switzerland.  It's hard to describe the unique experiences one gets from living and playing in another country, but some of the best parts are meeting lifelong friends from other cultures, trying to learn new languages and traveling around parts of the world I've never seen before. I'm also grateful for my time at DU that prepared me to play pro, for the relationships I have made there, and for allowing me to train with them during my offseason. I look forward to this new opportunity to grow my game and continue playing the sport I love in the French league this season." 
 
Baird moved from Switzerland to Portugal in the offseason and will spend her 2019-20 campaign with Leixoes Sport Club. The two-time Summit League Honorable Mention selection 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 am very excited to move to Leixões Sport Club in Portugal this season," Baird said. "They were champions of the league this past season and we are hoping to continue the winning ways as we fight for the Supercup, Portuguese Cup and the championship. It will be a different experience than I had in Switzerland, but one I am excited to take on because of the training and support DU has given and continues to give. I cannot wait to embrace and experience this new club, culture and country."

2019 Season Tickets:
Season tickets for the 2019 University of Denver volleyball season are on sale for $48. Season ticket holders from the 2018 season should contact the Denver ticket office at 303-871-4625 to renew. Season tickets can also be purchased online, by clicking here.
 
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