Today we’d like to introduce you to Naya Crittenden.
Hi Naya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started volleyball later than most of my counterparts. Starting out as a track athlete from a very young age, and coming from a family of collegiate and professional track athletes and football players, Volleyball was never on my radar as something I could pursue until I got to high school. I started playing competitively at 16 years old. It was no question that I would go to college, but I thought I would be a track athlete. When I started playing club volleyball, everything changed. I was getting scholarship offers during my very first club season and I knew I would play college volleyball.
It wasn’t until my senior year leading up to the end of my collegiate career that my head coach talked to me about playing professionally. And that started my journey with pro volleyball, and living and playing around the world.
My journey has been unexpected, but so many cool opportunities have come from it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, my journey has had tons of ups and downs, twists and turns. It’s never been easy for me, and oftentimes, I questioned how I overcame some of the things that I did. In volleyball, and sports in general, things are often unpredictable, you don’t always know how a situation will be. Right now, I’ve been battling lots of injuries that I’ve never had to deal with before. It’s been equally frustrating and humbling.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a professional volleyball player and got my degree in broadcast journalism. The journalism has been on the back burner since I finished school since I’ve been playing professionally for over 4 years. I’m most proud of being a top scorer in most of the leagues I’ve played in. I think what sets me apart is my resilience. I’ve been through so much, and still keep pushing on, and have a zest for life.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Being able to hang out with my friends in the summers. We were always swimming, hanging out at someone’s house, or riding bikes. I’m lucky to have had a very fulfilling childhood
Contact Info:
- Instagram: nayacrittenden
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/naya.crittenden
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCA-Kp0Db-z0LA-X21M–bEQ
Image Credits
Jade Hewitt Media
AU Pro Media
