Former Troubadour Dana Knudsen Living Dream Overseas

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LONDON, England – Sitting behind a desk was not for former St. Francis volleyball player Dana Knudsen. Now she is living abroad and has realized her dream of playing volleyball professionally while seeing the world in the process.

“I have always dreamed of coming to play in Europe,” said Knudsen from London where she is working in the offseason. “I absolutely love traveling and it is a huge thing for me.  At this point, it is not as much about the volleyball as the experiences I am getting.”

Knudsen was a standout for the Troubadours, helping St. Francis to three straight Delta River League championships in 2005, ’06 and ’07. She was a two-time all-league selection and played on the 2005 Division III State Championship team.

“I have so many amazing memories from St. Francis,” recalled Knudsen. “The State Championships my sophomore years were amazing. I did not get a second of court time (maybe a few seconds). It was an amazing team.”

Knudsen’s favorite memory was the night she pulled the volleyball-choir doubleheader.

“One of my favorite memories is the one night I had a volleyball game and a choir concert,” said Knudsen. “I could not miss either of them. It was my senior year and I was playing all the time. The game did not end so I could get to the concert so Alynn subbed me out when we were at 23 points (two points from winning). I sprinted across campus and threw my choir dress over my spandex, caught my breath and went up and sang.”

She earned a scholarship to play at Santa Clara and finished her career as an All-WCC selection. Knudsen got her degree in four years but still had a year of eligibility due to medical redshirt after breaking her ankle during her freshmen season, opening up an opportunity to play another season.

“I made a really great switch and had an opportunity with Minnesota,” said Knudsen. “They are coached by Hugh McCutcheon, the USA Women’s Coach. I figured if I am going to go somewhere, I am going to go with the best coach in the country.”

Knudsen helped the Gophers to the NCAA Regional final before losing to No. 1 seed Penn State in four sets.

“We finished fifth in the nation my senior year,” said Knudsen. “It was amazing and such a great feeling. Coming from Santa Clara which is a small fish (in the volleyball world) to Minnesota and being in the Big 10. There were 5000 fans at our games.”

McCutcheon, who coached both the USA men’s and women’s national teams, was glad to have her in the program.

“Dana was a great addition to our program,” said McCutcheon. “She was only here for one year, but she had a significant positive impact on our team.”

After earning her master’s degree at Minnesota, she originally decided to quit playing and pursue a career. But she “realized that desk jobs kind of suck so I decided that I wasn’t done playing”.

Working with an agent, Knudsen was signed with the Spanish team UCAM Murcia.

“It was a great experience,” said Knudsen. “It was my first team and it was a starter for my resume to help stay in Europe. I hope to play at a higher level and I really hope to live in France.”

Now she is planning for her second season and living out her dream.

“I took Spanish at St. Francis and now (after this experience) I can speak fluent conversational Spanish,” said Knuden. “It is amazing that I learned that in three months. I have met so many different people and seen so many amazing places it has helped me grow so much. I am thankful the time and blood, sweat and tears I put into volleyball helped me get these experiences.”

The Sacramento native looks back on her experience at St. Francis fondly and with many feelings of gratitude.

“I owe Alynn everything and my whole volleyball career,” said Knudsen of St. Francis Head Coach Alynn Wright. “She found me and nurtured me. I was her project when I was there. I was the gangly, awkward kid and she coached me up. Without her I would not be where I am now. I am still in touch with her and appreciate everything she and Bill Hanrahan did for me. They put so much extra time in.”