March 4, 2010
MADISON, Wis. - For Sheila Shaw, her second year of playing professionally in Germany has been an interesting one. The 6-2 middle blocker is currently playing with Rote Roben Vilsbiburg, about an hour northeast of Munich. In addition to playing volleyball, Shaw is enjoying the Bavarian culture of Vilsbiburg, including Oktoberfest.
A native of Muskego, Wis., Shaw is in her third season of playing professionally. She wrote the Badgers in mid February.
Greetings from Deutschland!
I am back in Germany for a second season in Bavaria. Bavaria is a unique place where the pretzels can be as big as your head and dunkel lager flows like water.
This year my boyfriend Andy and I are enjoying everything about the Bavarian culture. We even decided to participate in the local Oktoberfest. We wanted to get the full cultural effect so we purchased traditional German lederhosen (don’t worry we have pictures for your entertainment). It was really fun to see all the people in the enormous halls clinking their liter mugs and dancing in their lederhosen to traditional German music. This experience is definitely something we will never forget!
This season I am currently playing for Rote Raben Vilsbiburg, which is a club located about an hour from Munich. My team is made up of players from Germany, Italy, Brazil, Argentina and Romania. Even though we are considered to be a young team, five of our players have competed internationally with their respective national teams. We have a great deal of talent and have had success as the season progresses. As of 2010 we have been undefeated, beating the first and third-place teams in the league. Beating two elite teams has allowed us to advance to third place overall in the league with a 10-3 record.
In addition to the German championship, we are currently competing internationally in the CEV Challenge Cup (Confédération Européenne de Volleyball). In order to qualify for the Challenge Cup, you have to finish in the top three of your league in the previous season. So far, we have traveled to Croatia and Belgium. If our success continues, we will be heading to Greece! Maybe Sherisa (Livingston) and I can meet up for a Greek salad and a gyro while I’m there!
This is my third season playing in Europe and it has been a great experience. Even though I haven’t had much time to travel this year, I am really enjoying my teammates. I truly enjoy getting the opportunity to play internationally and share in the Bavarian culture. I am enjoying my time as a Rote Raben, but I do miss being a Badger dueling against Big Ten rivals in the Field House with the best fans in the world!
Hope all is well in Badgerland!
GO BIG RED!
Sheila
