SE: K-State VB’s Sandbothe Savoring USWJNT Experience in Costa Rica
Jun 09, 2017 | Volleyball, Sports Extra
It had been three weeks since Elle Sandbothe returned from Costa Rica as part of a gold medal-winning U.S. Women's Junior National Team, but the K-State sophomore middle blocker spoke like it happened yesterday.
The experiences from the trip were new and powerful, creating compelling memories still fresh in her mind.
"It was, honestly, really cool," said Sandbothe, whose U20 team won the Pan American Cup with a 5-0 record on the trip, which ran from May 8-13. "Going to Costa Rica on top of playing for USA Volleyball, it was all new to me. Luckily, K-State allowed me to go and gave me the opportunity to experience something like that. It was definitely really cool."
To start, Sandbothe said representing the United States, wearing the country's colors and battling for national pride gave her a new level of gratitude for what she does.
"It's something I never really thought of before. Now, all I can think of is how cool it was," said the All-Big 12 Freshman Team selection. "It was exciting and gave you a new appreciation of not only your country, but being able to wear your country's jerseys, you can look down at it and you're able to be proud of it."
One of the most vivid memories from the trip, Sandbothe said, was beating Argentina in the championship to cap a perfect record in Costa Rica. The joy of winning a gold medal for her country and the celebration that ensued was unlike any other victory she had ever been part of before.
"It was incredible. We got in a giant dog pile at the middle of the floor and then we got the medals," Sandbothe said. "And whoever wins, they play their national anthem, so we were just screaming it at the top of our lungs, not even singing it, hitting no notes, just belting it and it was so real. It was awesome."
Soon after, Sandbothe and other Team USA players began taking pictures with many eager volleyball fans from Costa Rica. Sandbothe made a special fan during this time, as a young Costa Rican girl shyly approached the Wildcat with a homemade necklace, sporting a red, white and blue heart at the center.
"She knew zero English, so her mother had to talk for her and she translated what I said to her. She was super, super shy, a sweet girl, and she wanted to take a picture with the team but was kind of intimidated. So I got down on my knees and I told her, 'Come on, I'll help you,' and I think that kind of helped her be more comfortable with me," Sandbothe said. "It was super cool. I love children. I love working with them. That's something I'm very passionate about, so being able to get through to her and make her comfortable with our team and the USA, it was a really cool experience."
Later on that night, Sandbothe said one of her favorite moments from the trip occurred at the hotel where both the United States and Cuba teams were staying. Players from both countries ventured from room to room, trading jerseys and all sorts of gear, she said.
"We sat in one of our hotel rooms and we hung out for five hours that night, until like 2 a.m. We didn't even sleep because we left at three to go to the plane, so we hung out all night with the Cuban team," said Sandbothe, adding that the teams used Google Translate to understand one another. "It was really funny. We really got along with them."
Before this opportunity, Sandbothe attended the USWNT Open Tryout in March in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While there, she made enough of an impression to earn a roster spot on Team USA's U20 squad along with 11 other players from across the country who would soon become close friends.
"It was like we'd known each other forever," Sandbothe said of the team. "Everyone meshed so well."
While in Costa Rica, Sandbothe and her teammates had to defeat Argentina (twice), Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Cuba. The level of play, Sandbothe said, was comparable to what she saw as a freshman last season in the Big 12.
"It was definitely a super high level of play. I think that's what made it so fun for us, too, because it was just like here at K-State in the Big 12. It was really competitive. It made it even more fun," she said. "I definitely improved on the aspect of having to work for a playing spot and having to compete again with things you're not comfortable with, with systems you're not used to. So being adaptable, that was definitely a big takeaway."
With the Pan American Cup title, Team USA qualified for the FIVB Junior World Championships, on July 14-23, in Cordoba and Boca del Rio, Mexico. Sandbothe is guaranteed a spot at the training camp to compete for a roster spot, which will take place again in Colorado Springs, on July 2-12.
"I'm super excited. I really hope it works out," Sandbothe said. "It'd be another beautiful place, another beautiful city, new girls, new coach, so I'm very excited. I hope it all works out."
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