Her introduction to the professional ranks in Denmark turned out to be both productive and satisfying for former Heat setter Caitlyn Nyhus.
Following her five years with the women’s volleyball program at UBC’s Okanagan campus, Nyhus played this season in Copenhagen for Holte IF in Division of Denmark’s top pro circuit.
Nyhus and her Holte teammates capped off a triumphant season last week, winning the Danish national title in straight matches (3-0) over Brondby.
Nyhus was the latest Heat alumna to take the leap into the pro leagues, following in the footsteps of former teammate Sheila McNee (1st division in Spain) and another former UBC Okanagan player Marisa Field (SV Sinsheim, Germany), who went on to play for the UBC Thunderbirds and still competes with the Canadian national team.
“When the Holte IF coach, Sven-Erik Lauridsen, contacted me to talk about Caitlin he explained to me that he was looking for a very specific type of player,” said Steve Manuel, who is Nyhus’ former coach and longtime coach of the Heat. “He needed a setter, but more importantly he was looking for a player with a strong work ethic both on and off the court that would put the team first. That made it easy for me to recommend Cait, because that’s what she gave us for five years.”
Holte IF recruited Nyhus to add depth to the setting position, but she found herself quickly promoted to the starting setter role.
“I just practiced and tried learning the different style of volleyball as quick as I could,” says Nyhus from Copenhagen. “It’s a little bit faster and I had to learn a few new sets and a different style of defense. All in all, I learned pretty quickly and I had the starting spot by our second tournament.”
“It’s great to see Caitlin doing so well and continuing to develop now that she has graduated from our program,” continues Manuel. “We want to provide our student athletes with all the tools necessary to succeed while they are with us and continue on once they leave. Caitlin is doing exactly that and I am extremely proud of her.”
“My time here has been amazing,” adds Nyhus. “I live right in downtown Copenhagen, so I have gotten to experience a very different culture and be right in the center of Denmark’s largest city. Everything has exceeded my expectations.”
