The William Smith volleyball team completed the first international trip in program history this summer, playing three matches during a nine-day tour of Spain and Portugal.
The Herons met international opponents and shared meals with them after matches while also visiting Seville, Granada, Lisbon and Portugal’s Algarve coast, according to Hobart and William Smith.
The trip included a bicycle tour, a Spanish cooking class and flamenco instruction. Head coach Derryk Williams said the cultural experiences and relationships were the most valuable parts of the tour.
The program partnered with Off the Groove to organize the trip. Players said the experience helped them find common ground with athletes from other countries and strengthened relationships within their own team.
William Smith is coming off a program-best 24-8 season. The Herons reached the NCAA tournament for a second consecutive year and earned the program’s first NCAA tournament victory with a five-set win over Lynchburg.
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