The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
VOLLEYBALL ALL-AMERICANS: Where are they now? CARRIE BUSCH DODD
03.02.2016 | Volleyball
Longhorn Carrie Busch wrapped up her professional career and is now heading up a restaurant and being a mom in California.
AUSTIN, Texas - Longhorn Carrie Busch graduated from the University of Texas in 1995, earning AVCA Second Team and Volleyball Magazine Third Team All-America honors after leading Texas to the NCAA Championship match. Busch was a four-year letterwinner who spent two seasons as an outside hitter before taking over setting duties in her junior season. She handed out 1,589 assists as a senior, which still stands as the second-highest single-season total in school history.
Q. What are you doing now?
CD: Currently, I am married for 11 years this month to Matt Dodd and have a four-year old son, Hudson. I'm still in California and still playing beach volleyball with friends for fun. I'm working as the head of a kitchen/restaurant in Manhattan Beach. I loved cooking in college with my roomie Angie Breitenfield, but never would have thought I would be doing it for a living now.
Q. Can you recap your professional volleyball career post-college?
CD: I played for….I don't even know how many years on the AVP (U.S. pro beach volleyball league)?!! Seems like a long time ago now. I did win a couple opens (Hermosa and New York) which I will always be proud of, since that was a dream growing up in Wisconsin and volunteering as a ball girl for the Bradford Beach Open. The honors/wins are great from the AVP, but honestly the greatest memories will be traveling and seeing the world. Volleyball gave me the opportunity to go and see places that I will never forget.
Q. What was the hardest transition from playing in college to playing professionally?
CD: Two words: Sand. Legs. It is so much different than playing indoor, and you absolutely have to learn how to move in the sand.
Q. What was your major at Texas?
CD: Kinesiology. Thank you for the education, UT, and I promise at some point in my life I will use this degree.
Q. How do you use your knowledge of volleyball/playing at Texas in your life now?
CD: Preparation. Mick Haley was very good at preparing us (as well as Glen and Tina) for the season. And I think that stays with me even now. It's now my favorite time at work, in the morning when no one is there and it's just me figuring out what needs to be done for that day and week.
Q. What is your favorite memory of playing at Texas?
CD: This one is hard, because it's my favorite memory, but also the hardest to think about as well. The Final Four and our loss to Nebraska in the finals. I loved every minute leading up to that match, except the ending of course.
Q. How do you continue to keep up with Texas Volleyball?
CD: I follow on Instagram, which is the easiest for me, because it gives quick updates. Of course I still UT volleyball! It will always be in my blood. I am trying to figure out a way to get to the alumni match this year. I may have to call in sick to work….for a couple days.
Q. Do you keep in touch with any teammates from your days at Texas?
CD: I admit I am not the best at social media/facebook which is the way to connect with everyone. But I am still in touch with Angie, and always will be for life. And of course my sister, Nikki. Every once in a while, I do run into teammates and honestly I need to be better because each one of them touched my life in some way. Again, I really need to get back to the alumni match. Secretly, I am still trying to get my husband to move back to Austin :)
Q. What did you learn in your time at Texas that helped you later on?
CD: Gratitude. I was fortunate to play for a school I loved and received a great education. There are a lot of athletes that may not have that opportunity, or if they do, take it for granted. I was lucky to have great trainers, coaches, and teammates that gave me lasting memories. And laugh all you want, but I miss BBQ! Just not the same anywhere else. Salt Lick--can you come out to California please?!?!
Q. Who was one of the most influential people you met during your time at Texas (in or outside of volleyball)?
CD: As corny as this sounds, if my sister wasn't such a big influence on me, I'm not sure I would've gone to UT. But seeing her happy there and loving her college experience, I think she was the biggest influence on me ending up at UT.
Q. Do you have any advice for the current/future Longhorns?
CD: Don't leave!!!! Stay there as long as you can.
