Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
DCVB Veteran Reminisces On Professional Season
7/30/2018 8:28:00 AM | Volleyball
DAVIDSON, N.C. -- "velkomin á Íslandi!" Welcome to Iceland!
Those were words former Davidson volleyball standout Mikayla Derochie '17 heard frequently her first few months living in Mosfellsbær, Iceland. She spent 10 months in the small town, only 15 minutes from the capital, Rejkjavik."It was awesome, but it was cold," were her first words when asked about the country.
Derochie became the first player in program history to play professionally, serving as setter for Afturelding, a team in the Women's Mizuno Iceland professional rookie league.
"I knew I wanted to play professionally after Davidson, I'd been wanting to do it since high school even." So she did what any student-athlete with hopes of continuing their career does- she performed exceptionally, made highlight videos, and talked to agents. It helped, too, that her coach had some connections.
Stephanie Zielinski, former assistant coach, spent two seasons playing overseas in Switzerland. One of the most productive setters in Rutgers' history, Zielinski worked closely with Mikayla both on the court and on the circuit. Eventually, the hard work paid off. Zielinski's former agent signed Derochie, quickly finding her a spot on Afturelding's squad.
Derochie was one of four Americans in the Mizuno Iceland League, and one of two on her squad. Most of the girls on her team and in her league, were Icelandic natives. She lived with her American teammate, an opposite from Tennessee State named Haley, and the two spent off weekends traveling the country and sightseeing.
"We probably saw over 50 waterfalls. Mason [Rooney, current DCVB senior setter] and Michelle McKnight '15 came over to visit me, so it was like a big Davidson Volleyball reunion."
And as for living in Iceland?
"It was a little bit of a culture shock. They spoke English, but it was broken. But it really was a great experience- living on your own in a foreign country sounds scary and a little daunting, and it was at first, but I wouldn't take this past year back for anything."
"It's not so much now being a professional athlete that interests me, but traveling to a different country and getting paid to do something that I love- that was the most amazing thing. I was paid to workout, play volleyball, and do well in games. That lifestyle was absolutely amazing, but I know I need to pursue my career."
Derochie has spent this off season taking classes and applying to graduate schools. Her top choice would be North Carolina, where she wants to study physical therapy.
"I knew I would regret it if I didn't at least do one year. So I get the best of both worlds- playing professionally and then continuing my education and working on my career path."
The Women's Mizuno Iceland League did not keep assists stats, but Derochie did lead the league in service aces and Afturelding made it the league finals before falling in the championship game. She was nominated for League Setter of the Year, but lost out to another American, Ijeoma Moronu, a graduate of Abilene Christian in Texas.
The Ramona, Calif., native doesn't think much about being a program first, but she did have some advice for potential future professional players.
"Make sure you work hard in college. How you play, and how you represent yourself really determines if a team will take you. They look at everything, so put in that effort early. If you want to do it, and you put time into and play well, it's very attainable."
"It feels good knowing I can pave the way for other athletes. I hope people can see Davidson of course for its academics, but now they can look at multiple programs and see professional athletes."
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