Riverview, RMU star Fisher has French connection
Tri-State Sports & News Service
When Arden Fisher is asked, “Parlez-vous Francais?,” her answer is polite and concise.
“I know very little French,” she said. “The only thing I know is Je m’appelle Arden [my name is Arden] and Bon Jour [hello].”
This can be problematic, given the former Riverview High and Robert Morris star is playing professional volleyball in Geneva, Switzerland ... where the primary language is French.
Fisher is one of three Americans who play for Geneve Volley, which competes in Ligue Nationale A, the top tier of Swiss professional volleyball. With less than two weeks to indoctrinate herself to the culture and language — she arrived Oct. 4 — Fisher is trying her best to make a French connection. For example: When coach Gruel Ludovic says jump, Fisher asks: “What did he say?”
When Ludovic says more hustle, Fisher says: “Translator please.”
Most times, she observes and reacts at practices. Her eyes serve as her greatest interpreter.
“Coach speaks French the entire time, so I’m like a lost puppy,” she said. “The other Americans help out — they’ve been here since August — but what I usually do is sit and watch and figure out what we’re doing. Then I step in.
“Sometimes, my teammates will talk to me in English, but it’s not a long conversation. They say, ‘How are you? How was your weekend?’ That’s pretty much it.”
Upon learning that she would play for Geneve Volley — Fisher was signed on the strength of a highlight video produced by her agent — her mother alerted her of the language challenges. Charlotte Fisher played overseas in Spain after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University.
“She didn’t really offer any great advice,” Fisher said, laughing. “She just warned me.”
An outside hitter, Fisher is signed for the first half of the season through Dec. 17. Geneve Volley, which opens its season Saturday, has the option of extending the deal if Fisher proves to be an asset.
It is a safe bet she will acquit herself nicely. At RMU, she was a four-time All-Northeast Conference selection and became the only player in program history to record 1,000-plus kills (1,246) and 1,500 digs (1,852). She also helped RMU continue its run of 18 consecutive winning seasons in NEC play. In 2015, she led the Colonials to the NCAA tournament.
“Arden will go down as one of the top-5 players of all time at RMU,” veteran RMU coach Dale Starr said. “Her numbers speak for themselves. Had she not been injured and missed several matches during her career, she would be the best defensive player to ever play here statistically. ... I think she will have a great playing career and then, hopefully, stay in the game and start coaching.”
Geneve Volley’s 10player roster is composed, primarily, of players from Switzerland. In years past, the team has featured former Olympians and international stars.
“This is a great opportunity,” Fisher said.
For anyone visiting, Fisher suggests taking in the breathtaking optics of the Swiss Alps and Lake Geneva. She also said lunch is Bon Appetit.
“It’s the biggest meal of the day; a three-course meal,” Fisher said. “There’s always salad, bread, a huge [entree] and dessert. And alcohol is always involved. Breakfast is small and dinner is like our lunches. Things are different here, but fun.”
For Fisher, it was her appetite for adventure — and competition — that compelled her to pursue her dream of playing volleyball professionally.
“I’ll do it as long as my body allows me,” said Fisher, who was in Croatia in July for the European Global Challenge U22 Tournament, during which she made the AllTournament team. “Getting to play volleyball and to see the world are two of my favorite things, so I want to take advantage while I can.”