Pavan gets NCAA Top VIII award
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BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
Sometime soon, Sarah Pavan will revel in all that she has accomplished in her career — on and off the volleyball court — at Nebraska.
Just not yet. As news came Monday of yet another prestigious honor, the NCAA’s Top VIII award, Pavan was wrapped up in preparing for final exams and still trying to shake the cold reality of her college volleyball career coming to such a sudden end.
“Having all this free time, I’ve definitely been struggling trying to find things to do,” said Pavan, the senior from Kitchener, Ontario, who was a four-time All-American at Nebraska but saw her record-setting career end one win shy of the NCAA final four.
Monday’s Top VIII announcement, however, brought Pavan’s career as a student-athlete at Nebraska full circle. She recalled being shown the list of past Husker honorees on her recruiting visit, names such as football’s Dave Rimington and Rob Zatechka and volleyball’s Virginia Stahr and Janet Kruse.
With her selection, she becomes the 16th Husker on that list. That’s more than any other school.
“These people have accomplished so much in their sports and in other areas, and it is special to be considered in that group,” Pavan said.
Once there’s time for it to truly sink in, Pavan will reflect on earning not only the Top VIII honor, but also her selection as the Honda-Broderick Cup winner and recognition as Academic All-American of the Year and as volleyball’s national player of the year last season.
“After the honors Sarah has earned during her career, this is the one award that eluded her because it is only presented to seniors,” Nebraska coach John Cook said. “Having had the experience of watching Nancy Metcalf win this award in 2002, this is the most prestigious honor that a student-athlete can achieve. It is truly the elite of the elite.”
The Top VIII award recognizes current student-athletes across all NCAA divisions for their athletic success, academic accomplishments, community service and leadership. This year’s recipients, headlined by Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon, will be honored at the NCAA Convention in January.
Pavan, a 4.0 student in biochemistry, plans to graduate in May. Until then, she will work out with her former teammates in preparation for a professional playing career that likely will take her to Italy.
Since Nebraska’s loss to California on Dec. 8, Pavan said she’s received offers from several different clubs in different countries.
“It’s almost like it’s my senior year in high school all over again,” she said. “I’m trying to get all the details and listening to the options before I decide where I’ll be happy.
“It’s a job, but it’s also something I love.”
The same can be said for Pavan’s dedication to her studies.
“I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to continue to play,” she said. “The reason I’ve worked so hard in school was because there was always that possibility that it might not happen.
“Now that I’ve come this far doing well, I definitely want to finish out strong.”
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.
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