Two talented freshmen volleyball players have crossed the border to pursue athletic careers at ASU.
Middle blocker Sonja Markanovich and outside hitter Sofie Schlagintweit are heralded as two of Canada’s best volleyball players. Both are currently on the Canadian junior national team and Schlagintweit was named team captain during the summer.
Both players grew up in British Columbia, just outside of Vancouver.
Then they decided to make the transition to ASU.
It helps that the players have one another on and off of the court.
“We are kind of like sisters,” Schlagintweit said. “We have so much fun together.”
Schlagintweit added that she gets a little homesick too.
“It is very strange not being with my family,” she said.
Though volleyball spurred their flight to America, the sport was not the pair’s first pastime growing up. Both played soccer as kids while Schlagintweit also excelled in tennis.
However, both began to realize their calling for volleyball in the eighth grade.
Markanovich’s cousin introduced her to the sport because of her height. She now stands 6 feet 1 inch tall. Markanovich joined a club team, and she immediately flourished.
Schlagintweit received her first taste of the sport just before entering high school. After realizing her own potential, she focused entirely on volleyball.
After their introduction and newly found interest in the sport, Schlagintweit and Markanovich both tried out and made the Fraser Valley Volleyball Club. There, the two quickly excelled, gaining valuable experience. Soon both players would be competing at the national level.
Both players drew a great amount of attention from college coaches across the country, including former ASU coach Brad Saindon.
After watching the two play in a tournament in Reno, Nev., Saindon eventually made offers to the duo to play at ASU. The two made their official visits to the school early last year and decided Tempe was the place they needed to be.
“I fell in love with the Pac-10,” Markanovich said. “That is one of the reasons that drew me here.”
But when Saindon’s contract was not renewed last year, the two showed concern about their future with the program. They decided, though, to continue their careers at ASU, despite their concerns about the coaching change.
“I definitely made the right choice coming here,” Markanovich said.
Both players said they are extremely pleased with new coach Jason Watson.
“It is very focused here,” Schlagintweit said. “Coach Watson has brought this program to another level.”
Markanovich and Schlagintweit are key parts of a talented freshman class. It has combined with last season’s returners to lead the Sun Devils to an 8-2 start, their best since 2002.
Although the two have already contributed greatly to the team, their transition has been somewhat difficult.
“It is very, very hot here,” Markanovich said. “It was hard to get used to dealing with heat every day.”
Reach the reporter at ryan.g.campbell@asu.edu.
