The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Conversation: Dariam Acevedo
09.14.2004 | Volleyball
A strong and intense player Dariam Acevedo, the Longhorns 5-10, outside hitter is ready to show the Texas faithful the same energy and enthusiasm that her teammates have come to expect. After suffering a knee surgery in only her second match in a Texas uniform and later attaining a medical hardship waiver, the redshirt sophomore is back and more determined than ever, as she and her Longhorn teammates set their sites on a great year and a run at the Big 12 Conference title. Acevedo recently relaxed a bit and sat down with Texassports.com to talk about her recovery from injury, the European volleyball tour, and even what CD she is spinning right now.
Your volleyball career has been a roller-coaster ride, as you have moved from Puerto Rico to Oregon, and have now found a home in Austin. Talk a little about your career and the places that you have been, and why you made the decision to come to Texas last fall.
DA: In high school I began to realize that I wanted to go somewhere other than home (Puerto Rico) for college. I knew that there were better opportunities here in the United States for volleyball players, and especially those who want to elevate their games to the next level. In Puerto Rico there are good players and universities, but I felt that American universities could offer me better opportunities in academics and athletics. I ended up at the University of Oregon as a freshman after they had seen me play in several American tournaments, which included some junior national games. It was amazing to experience (the whole recruiting process) as teams courted me and I had know idea that they had ever seen me play. I was not sure what place was the best for me, but I knew that I loved the way that American universities have such a great balance of academics and athletics. I left Oregon for several reasons, like as the unusual climate that was foreign to me as a native of the Caribbean. I also left because of the respect that I have for my parents and how very expensive it was for them to have to send me on such a long and expensive flight to and from school. Now it is still expensive, but much more reasonable than flying to the West Coast. I had no problems with Oregon, I just felt like that it was not the right fit for me academically and athletically, but I am having so much fun now that I am here in Austin.
