BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
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The fall national signing day started on Wednesday Nov. 12 and thousands of high school athletes across the country celebrated a monumental day – including more than 300 here in the DFW metroplex.
Azle setter Miley Massey was one of those athletes – and while I’m sure I’m missing someone, I can’t recall another player that has done the same thing Massey has done – sign with a college overseas.
Yes, I’m sure there are a few in the 10+ years I have covered high school sports – and probably one last year – but while they always say how many high school students go on to play in college – and the number is ridiculously and often times surprisingly low – imagine that number when you think about those that sign their letter of intent with a school in a foreign country.
Massey is doing just that with Rome City Institute volleyball in Italy.
“While everyone has a different recruiting process, I think mine was specifically unique because my college is international,” said Massey, who has been playing volleyball for the past 12 years. “I originally started emailing colleges throughout the United States, but I knew that wasn’t going to be enough.”
Soon after she went to her recruiting profile and set it to where anyone could see it – around the world.
“Through that, Rome City reached out to me and expressed their interest. Through multiple zoom calls at 5 AM, they invited me out to a volleyball clinic in Rome where shortly after they offered me a scholarship at the semi pro level,” Massey said.
“I’ve always had a heart for Europe, especially England because I have close friends and family over there, but I never considered Rome as a place I would end up. Knowing that a lot of people don’t get the same experience of playing volleyball overseas, I’m ecstatic.”
Azle is coming off a program record 30 wins including 10-2 in District 5-5A – its most in district play since 2007. During this season and last, the Hornets have back-to-back playoff appearances with a combined 58-28 overall record, 18-6 in district.
This season Massey set career highs in digs and aces.
In her career, she finished with over 2,000 assists.
“I knew I wanted to play college volleyball since I was in the sixth grade and I started getting really invested in sports teams, especially women’s volleyball,” Massey said. “I always looked up to them with aspirations of hopefully being in their same shoes one day.”
Massey said she will miss her family and the states, but it’s a great opportunity that many don’t get. I mean, how often can you go to college and say you’re playing semi-pro?
“It also helps that I want to use my college degree in order to work in international relations, so studying abroad is just the right thing. I’ve always wanted to strive to do something outside of the box, and here I am playing semi pro volleyball overseas,” she said. “While I’m going to miss the people that surround me, I know that going to Rome will set off so many amazing opportunities for me.”
