Coming to a close
By: Kyle Cunningham
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
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Ammerman comes from a volleyball family. Her mother Maria Ammerman played at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, and her father played club volleyball at Purdue and played as a member of the Men's 45 and Over Gold Flight championship team in the 2005 USA Open Championships. Ryan, Sarah's older brother, was the MVP of the 2009 NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships and won a title at UC-Irvine before going overseas to play professionally. Two of her younger brothers both play collegiate volleyball in California.
She was never forced to choose the game, however.
"Everyone thinks I was forced to play volleyball," Ammerman said. "I played soccer and basketball when I was younger. But when it came time to decide, I just loved volleyball."
One of her biggest volleyball loves is Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh, who Ammerman calls "a phenomenal indoor and outdoor player."
Her love of the game brought her to Texas A&M in 2006. In her four seasons, she's seen the volleyball team produce mixed results (64-50 since 2006), but Ammerman says it's been a success.
"It's been an awesome experience, and it's prepared me for challenges in my life later," Ammerman said. "We haven't experienced a bunch of success in my career, but the awesome people that have surrounded me have really helped develop me as a person."
After graduation, Ammerman plans to continue her career overseas or play for the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) in beach volleyball.
"I want to play professional volleyball overseas," Ammerman said. "We went to Europe a couple of summers ago and toured around there. I really loved it. I love [beach volleyball]. If it would work out [to play in the AVP] I would love to play, but it's a pretty lofty goal."
Another possibility is news or sports writing. Ammerman's minor is in agriculture communications and journalism, and she says she enjoys writing.
Of course, her life is not just volleyball. Ammerman loves Ne-Yo, "Remember the Titans," and just relaxing with friends. If there's any other addiction she may have other than the game, it's MTV's "The Hills."
"I love 'The Hills,'" Ammerman said with a laugh and a slight shake of the head. "I hate to say it. I've been addicted since the beginning 'Laguna Beach.' I've stuck with it."
Ammerman's also a bit of a performer, if her team is correct.
"My teammates think I can sing and dance really well," Ammerman said. "But I don't know about the rest of the world."
With just three games left to play before the end of the regular season, Ammerman's career approaches its end. But, with an eye to the future, the self-labeled "passionate" senior said she will continue to live as she plays - with confidence and focus.
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