KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan Athletics caught up with former Western Michigan volleyball player Olivia Kofie for a Q&A in this edition of Behind the W.

In four years in the Brown & Gold Kofie amassed 1,018 career kills, averaging 2.25 kills per set to go along with a .219 career attack percentage. Kofie recorded 304 career blocks including 104 during her sophomore campaign in 2015.

After her playing days in Kalamazoo, Kofie embarked overseas to begin her professional playing career. Kofie spent one season in Poland and has spent the last two seasons playing the Czech Republic.



Q: What is the best part about being a professional volleyball player?
Kofie: Still getting to do what I love every day and getting to travel the world having an unconventional job.

Q: What's been the most challenging thing about being a pro volleyball player?
Kofie: Being so far away from my family. Also really making sure that I'm healthy.

Q: What team do you play for and what country is the team in?
Kofie: I play for a team called VK UP Olomouc and it's in the city of Olomouc that's in the Czech Republic.

Q: Where are all of your teammates from? Are there other Americans on your team?
Kofie: This year there aren't any other Americans on my team. I have teammates from Finland, Croatia, Serbia, Spain, Israel, Slovenia and a bunch of other great teammates from the Czech Republic.

Q: Explain the biggest difference you have found from volleyball in the US to overseas?
Kofie: The rules are a little different. When you get done with a timeout, you have to wait by the edge of the court until the ref signals that you can come out. Also the liberos aren't allowed to serve at all.

Q: How long do you plan on playing professionally? Is there a certain country or league that you strive to play for?
Kofie: I'm not sure how long I plan on playing. I guess as long as my body will hold up. There isn't a specific league I want to play in but I would like to play in Italy at some point because it's just so gorgeous.