AU Volleyball: Aury Cruz

The inaugural Athletes Unlimited Volleyball season ended in March with Jordan Larson being crowned the first champion. I came to really enjoy the league and the players much more than I expected. Learning about the players and getting to know them through the press sessions was one of the fun parts.

One of the top players for the first season was Aury Cruz. Born in Puerto Rico, Área Esther "Aury" Cruz Dalmau competed for the Puerto Rico national team at the 2008 Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan, where she was named Best Server at the event. She attended the University of Florida, where she was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 2014.

During one of the press sessions, I asked Cruz about that honor. She talked about it being a great feeling. She never imagined she would be among the greatest athletes from that school. It's always great to hear a player appreciate those such honors that way.

Players like Cruz accumulate many awards and honors during their careers. I always wonder if they start to become immune to the specialness of such things. It's not that the players don't care, but after so many awards, does it become routine to them? Cruz was genuinely proud and happy with her place in that HOF. 

During the AU season, Cruz finished in fourth place with 3,582 points. That's only 108 points behind second place. While it is 987 points behind first, champion Larson dominated the league. I am judging Cruz on the rest of the league.

Finishing in fourth, Cruz was a regular presence in the post-match media sessions. She was always a good interview.

There will be a second season of AU Volleyball, although dates and location have not been announced. Go to AUProSports.com for more info and updates. I'll also provide recurring coverage here, as always.

Aury Cruz and me-March 2021.

Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Week 5

After five weeks and 30 exciting matches, the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Volleyball season ended with Jordan Larson as the Champion. Rounding out the top four are Bethania de la Cruz, Brie King and Aury Cruz.

Larson finished with 4,569 points. Only 108 points separated second place from fourth and Karsta Lowe in fifth place was only 16 points behind fourth.

Samantha Seliger-Swenson, Deja McClendon, Bethania DeLaCruz, Sheilla Castro, Morgan, Aury Cruz, Brie King, Lauren Gibbemeyer and Alex Holston were in the photo session that can be found at On the Beat with Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Week 5.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info on the league and players. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com, Patch.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my recurring coverage.

Jordan Larson and me-March 2021.

On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Week 4 Part 1

Week Four of the Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Season is in the books and it featured another great bunch of games. I wrote more about the results at Athletes Unlimited Week Four Recap for Global Women's Sports Radio.

The post game press sessions featured players Jordan Larson, Lauren Gibbemeyer, Tiffany Clark, Bethania DeLaCruz, Karsta Lowe, Molly McCage, Ebony Nwanebu, Aury Cruz and Taylor Sandbothe. They all spoke to the press and answered questions about Week 4 games and the season in general. Of course, they also answered my questions which tend to veer off into general interest topics from their lives. Go to On the Beat with Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Week 4 Part 1 for the press sessions.

This set of pressers was a bit different than the previous weeks. On one hand, the players were very loose and engaged in some fun interplay. You can tell they are more comfortable with each other, the moderators and even the press.

On the flip side, the players realize the season is nearing the end. They have had a tremendous experience and it will be sad for everyone when it ends.

Much like the players from the AU inaugural season, these players are part of something very unique. The league setup is unique and is changing the way everyone looks at the sport. Changing teams, one champion, money allocated to player causes and more make this different from all other leagues.

Additionally, being secluded together for all of these weeks creates bonds that could not be replicated elsewhere. During no other season or series would this many elite players be together so much. I can't imagine how close these players get, but I feel like I have created bonds with the players. It's simply an incredible time.

The players return to action for the final weekend of the season on Saturday. I'll be watching and I encourage all to give this a look. It's a special thing worth checking out.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info on all of Athletes Unlimited leagues. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com, GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com and Patch.com for my recurring coverage of AU.

Brie King and me-March 2021.

On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Week 3 Part 2

Yesterday, I featured the first three media sessions from Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Week Three. Today, I feature the second set of three media sessions.

These pressers feature Jordan Larson, Kelly Hunter, Nomaris Velez-Agosto, Deja McClendon, Ebony Nwanebu, Aury Cruz, Sherridan Atkinson and Symone Abbott. Once again, the athletes discuss specific game and season details and general topics about their life with and away from volleyball. For the press sessions, go to On the Beat with Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Week 3 Part 2.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info on the players and the league. Also, check here for my recurring coverage, as well as GlobalTravelerUSA.com, Patch.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com.

Sherridan Atkinson and me-March 2021.