Meet Sue Calligaris – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/3/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 3, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sue Calligaris, a native of Palermo, Italy, watched a club team match several years ago and met Tricia Stragliotto, a Canadian, who previously played for Jim Stone, head women’s volleyball coach at Ohio State.
“I got to know Stragliotto because I could already speak English,” Calligaris said. “We talked about her playing in the United States. She thought I would have a chance to come and play in the U.S. She put me in touch with Jim Stone and I sent him a videotape of one of my matches. Tricia also came and saw me play so she had an idea on how good I was. And that is how it started.”
Calligaris, a middle and outside hitter, received a scholarship, entered Ohio State last fall and started 15 of 27 matches.
Calligaris is older than the rest of the squad but feels comfortable.
“It is nice because they make me feel younger,” Calligaris said. “I have a little more experience, so I can help my teammates. And I know they help me out.”
Calligaris is a long way from home but is adjusting to her new environment.
“Last year when I got her, I had trouble with the language,” Calligaris said. “Everything is different here than back in Italy. I had to get adjusted. I was ready for the change and knew what to expect. You have to practice to play. With the travel and study, I was very tired. I did get homesick when it got close to Christmas. But I went back home and I was fine.”
The style of play in the United States was different for Calligaris.
“I played on the club level in Italy, ” she said. “No high school or college play is available. It is very different in Italy. It took a little bit to get adjusted to the collegiate level. ” This season that adjustment took another turn as she was moved to the right side for the opening of the Big Ten season. “It surprised me because we were beginning Big Ten play,” Calligaris said. “I was comfortable playing middle again. It was not a shock because during spring practice I played on the right side. I also played one year in Italy on the outside. What really matters is being on the court. It doesn’t matter what I have to do, I just want to be there and try my best and help my teammates and hopefully win.”
Stone sees her move as a positive one for the team.
“She certainly has found a home as a right-side hitter. Her offense has definitely picked up when she moved to the outside. She is doing great things for us.”
That energy translates onto the court as 3.10 kills and 2.22 digs per game for all matches. Calligaris is second on the team in hitting percentage at .384. In Big Ten play she ranks eighth in hitting percentage at .357 and ninth in kills with 4.00 per game.
Being on the court is important, but so are her studies. An International Business major, Calligaris has clearly set her sights on her future.
“My dream is to find a job in a business that allows me to travel around and see the world,” she said. “I love the college atmosphere. I enjoy studying a lot because I think it is very interesting, I am studying something that interests me. I love being around the younger players. It makes me feel good and it makes me feel very alive and full of energy.”
