Renata Silva Gray inducted into Hall of Fame

RENATA SILVA GRAY ON HER LIFE IN VOLLEYBALL:

“I started playing volleyball at the age 11. I played in many different clubs in Brazil until I was 17. During my senior year of high school, I was playing the state championships with my club and I was recruited to come play in the United States at California University of PA. Melissa Myers was the head coach at the time and she told me I had to pass my SATs before coming to the university. Since I did not speak English, I started studying the “massive” SAT book. After studying for 5 months, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, I passed my SATs and finally came to CalU.

My Freshman year was tough since I still did not speak English fluently, but with the help of my coaches and teammates I learned how to speak English and be a better leader on and off the court. I had a great career at CalU and it helped shape me to who I am today. I have had amazing coaches in my life that helped me mentally, physically, and spiritually. My goal is to do the same to the athletes that I get to coach each day.”

RENATA’S CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS AT CALU INCLUDES:

• Multiple All-American honors each of her final three seasons
• Four-time all-conference setter
• Named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Atlantic Region Freshman of the Year
• Named the 2008 and 2009 PSAC Tournament Most Valuable Player
• Named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team
• Holds the all-time school record and ranks fifth in PSAC history with 5,507 assists
• Ranks third in school history with 497 sets and her 126 career service aces still ranks 10th overall
• Helped lead her team to three-straight PSAC and NCAA Atlantic Regional titles, plus three-consecutive appearances in the national quarterfinals
• At that time, Silva Gray was the first volleyball player in Cal U history to receive prestigious Academic All-America laurels

We have so much to learn from Renata, especially her energy, attitude, and coaching philosophy:

“BE MENTALLY TOUGH!! As a coach I like to teach my athletes skills on and off the court, and one of the best skills you can learn is how to control the mental aspect of the game and life situations. God has given all of us gifts and talents and it is up to us how to best use them.”

Congratulation Coach! You are an inspiration to student athletes and our club. We are honored to have such an amazing individual, coach, and now Hall of Famer in our midst!

Watch CalU’s interview with Athletic Hall of Famer, Renata Silva Gray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_AQGOoaWdI