RMU senior makes big splash
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Arden Fisher stood motionless on a towering cliff, 50 feet above the Adriatic Sea, and asked herself: “What am I thinking?”
“It was insane,” the former Riverview High School and current Robert Morris University volleyball star said. “The water below was so clear that you could literally see the rocks underneath. It’s like you’re about to commit suicide. I was regretting climbing up there.”
Then, Fisher did what all great thrill-seekers do. She jumped. “I’ll try anything once,” she said, laughing. “When in Croatia ...”
That daredevil descent was far from the biggest splash Fisher made while in Pula, Croatia, for the European Global Challenge U22 Tournament last month.
This Oakmont native was one of 13 participants, out of more than 130, named to the all-tournament team. The event featured six teams from the United States and seven from Russia, England, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and China.
Fisher’s Team BIP (Bring It Promotions), which featured players from Pitt, Maryland, Murray State, Marshall, Oakland (Mich.) and Illinois, placed ninth. The tournament showcased some of the better U.S. players at the NCAA Division I level.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I played that well,” said Fisher, a senior outside hitter at Robert Morris and three-time All-Northeast Conference second-team selection. “But it was a great feeling in knowing that I can hang with the big dogs, I guess.”
In between sightseeing tours through Prague, Czech Republic, Vienna, Austria, Maribor, Slovenia, and Venice, Italy, Fisher displayed the skills that enabled her to lead RMU in kills, digs and points. She was one of only seven U.S. players named to the all-tournament team.
And despite returning home without a championship, she said the experience should pay dividends once the collegiate season commences later this month.
“We got to compete against some of the better players in the world,” said Fisher, who helped Robert Morris win the NEC tournament and reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in 12 years last season. “We faced the Chinese national team, which was pretty cool. We got destroyed, but it was a blast to be on the floor with players who compete at that level. The experience really inspired me for the upcoming season. I want to bring more intensity and more competition to our practices and push everybody to be their best. I got a lot out of this.”
More could come. Fisher aspires to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Charlotte, and play internationally when her collegiate career is over. The elder Fisher played in Spain after graduating from Eastern Kentucky.
“My parents have always encouraged me to further my volleyball experience,” said Fisher, whose father, Chip, is a longtime recreational volleyball player. “I wouldn’t be doing it for the money, because I don’t think I would make that much. But volleyball has always been a huge part of my life. By playing internationally, I’ll get to keep doing it while also seeing the world.”
According to Robert Morris coach Dale Starr, Fisher’s willingness to compete overseas has brought added recognition to his program, which returns 13 of its top 14 players next season.
“We’ve been contacted by some international players who are interested in our university,” Starr said. “I think that’s a direct result of her representing us so well. She not only took a big step as a player over there, but she caught the attention of others.”
Fisher pointed out that the trip opened her eyes to various differences between the U.S. and some European nations. Most notably, she was faced with unplanned expenses.
“You had to pay for everything,” she said, laughing. “And I mean pretty much everything. There’s no free water. You pay for it. I had to bring three bottles to the gym because it was 90 degrees and you were just soaked in sweat . ... I had to pay to use the bathroom in some places, too. It was a great trip, but some of those things caught me off-guard.”
That said, she would do it again in an instant.
“For sure,” said Fisher, who competed in a tournament in Costa Rica last year. “I’m a person who wants to travel and see the world. This was such a cool experience, as a volleyball player and for me personally. I feel privileged that I got this opportunity.”