McBain Takes the Next Step
1/21/2013 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jan. 21, 2013
By: Vince Barnaba | Maryland Athletics Media Relations
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Remy McBain always knew that she wanted to continue playing volleyball professionally after her career ended at Maryland. However, the question was how she would be able to do so. After signing a three-year contract with Indias de Mayaguez of the Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino in Puerto Rico she found her path.
McBain was drafted in the first round of the new player entry draft this past November. She had previously been drafted in 2011, but put off playing professionally to come back and play her final year at Maryland.
"I found out that I had been drafted right after it happened," said McBain. "I didn't really think too much about it until after the Maryland season ended though.
"This is a great opportunity. I knew that I wanted to continue to play after I completed my career at Maryland, and after playing in Puerto Rico last summer I got a taste of the culture of Puerto Rico and professional volleyball and knew I wanted to continue playing there."
McBain received her first taste of Puerto Rican volleyball last summer as she trained with the Puerto Rican national team for a week. The training camp was in preparation for their participation in a national tournament team being held in Mexico later in the summer. Although the camp only lasted a week, she had received a taste of what professional volleyball would be like, and knew that she wanted to pursue this after the completion of her college career.
McBain first encountered Puerto Rican players during high school as she played with a United States women's high performance team. With two of her grandparents being born in Puerto Rico, a couple of Puerto Rican players told her she was eligible to play on their national team in the future if she wanted to, which peaked her interest.
Although the professional season starts later this month, McBain will only be a part-time player as she wants to complete her degree in family sciences. She plans to take classes two days a week this spring and fly to Puerto Rico following her Thursday classes, practice with the team, and play in the weekend matches.
McBain's experience at Maryland will serve her well at the next level. She played in 117 matches during her Maryland career and started 110 of them. She finished her career with 3,296 assists, which is fifth all-time in Maryland history.
"She is one of the most dedicated players that I have had here at Maryland, and she has turned into a great leader," said Maryland volleyball head coach Tim Horsmon. "She has worked really hard to get to where she is now. I am excited for her and this opportunity and it is a reflection of the work that she has put into this. I am excited for our program because having someone representing Maryland volleyball playing professionally in Puerto Rico is pretty cool."
McBain has worked hard to get to where she is now. After four years at Maryland, she is excited to move on to the next stage in her volleyball career, but says she will never forget the things she has done and the people she has met at Maryland.
"The friendships that I have made here at Maryland will last forever," says McBain. "This team has been like a family for the past four years. I am excited to move on, but will never forget what I did here at Maryland."
