Stacy Sykora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stacy Sykora |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Stacy Denise Sykora June 24, 1977 (age 48) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volleyball information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Libero | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stacy Denise Sykora (born June 24, 1977) is a retired American volleyball player. She was an amazing player in college at Texas A&M University. Stacy played for the U.S. women's national team in three Olympic Games: 2000, 2004, and 2008. At the 2008 Olympics, she helped Team USA win a silver medal. Stacy also won gold medals with her team at the 2001 and 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix.
Early Life and College Years
Growing Up in Texas
Stacy Sykora was born in Fort Worth, Texas. She grew up in Burleson, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth. From a young age, Stacy dreamed of becoming an Olympic athlete. She loved playing volleyball, basketball, and track and field.
Playing at Texas A&M
After high school, Stacy received a scholarship to play volleyball at Texas A&M University. Her coach, Laurie Flachmeier Corbelli, was a former Olympic silver medalist in volleyball.
While at Texas A&M, Stacy played volleyball, basketball, and even competed in track. She won a Big 12 Conference title in the heptathlon, which is a competition with seven different events.
In her first year, Stacy played in almost all of the volleyball team's matches. She often led the team in kills (scoring points) and digs (saving the ball from hitting the ground).
As a sophomore, Stacy set a school record with 24 digs in one match. She also had a career-high 30 kills in another game, helping her team win. She was named the Texas A&M Volleyball defensive player of the year.
In her junior year, Stacy continued to excel in digs. She was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the Georgia Invitational. She also earned First-Team All Big 12 honors and was named an AVCA Second-Team All-American.
In her final year of college, Stacy was one of the top players in the country for digs per game. She also led her team in kills. She received First-Team All Big 12 honors again and was named an AVCA Second-Team All-American.
Stacy Sykora's USA Volleyball Career
Becoming a Libero in 1999
In late 1998, a new position called the "libero" was created in volleyball. This player specializes in defense. Stacy's college coach encouraged her to try out for this new role on the U.S. national team.
In January 1999, Stacy joined the USA women's volleyball team as a libero. In her first year, she had a team-high 456 digs. She was named the Best Receiver at the BCV Volley Masters. She also helped her team win a bronze medal at the Pan American Games.
The 2000 Sydney Olympics
In 2000, Stacy again led the team in digs with 553. She was named Best Libero at the Nike Americas' Volleyball Challenge. This helped her team qualify for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
At the Olympics, the team finished fourth. Stacy was ranked second among all players for her 123 digs. In the bronze medal match, she reached her 1000th career dig.
Success in 2001
The next year, Stacy won the Best Libero Award at the Montreux Volley Masters. She was also named the Best Digger at the World Grand Prix and the World Grand Champions Cup. She earned the Best Receiver award at the NORCECA Championships.
With Stacy's help, the team won first place at the NORCECA Championships, the World Grand Prix, and the World Championships Qualifying Cup. After this, Stacy joined a professional volleyball team in Italy.
World Championships and More Medals
In 2002, Stacy helped her team win a silver medal at the Women's Volleyball World Championships. She continued to play professionally in Italy.
During the 2003 season, Stacy led the USA team in digs. Her team won gold medals at the Pan American Cup and the NORCECA Zone Championships. They also earned bronze medals at the World Grand Prix and the World Cup. This secured the USA a spot in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Stacy was named Best Digger at the Montreux Volley Masters.
The 2004 Athens Olympics
The U.S. national team was ranked first going into the 2004 Athens Olympics. However, they struggled in their matches. They lost to China, the Dominican Republic, and Russia. They ended up tied for fifth place. Despite the team's performance, Stacy was honored as the Best Digger of the Olympic Games. After Athens, Stacy took a break from the U.S. national team.
Return to the Team in 2007
After three years away, Stacy returned to the U.S. women's national team in 2007. She played at the 2007 FIVB Women's World Cup in Japan. The U.S. team finished in third place, which helped them qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. At the 2008 Olympics, the team reached the gold medal match, winning a silver medal after losing to Brazil.
Awards in 2010
In 2010, Stacy was named Best Digger and Best Libero at the 2010 World Championship.
Accident and Retirement
In 2011, while playing for a Brazilian volleyball team called Vôlei Futuro, Stacy was in an accident. The bus carrying her team overturned on its way to a match. Stacy suffered a head injury and bleeding in her brain. She was taken to the hospital and spent time in the intensive care unit.
After a week, Stacy's condition improved. She was able to breathe and eat on her own. She could even walk around the hospital with help. She was discharged from the hospital in May 2011.
In December 2012, Stacy Sykora announced her retirement from professional volleyball. She had not fully recovered from the accident. She still had problems with her eyesight and lost some of her reflexes. This made it very difficult for her to play volleyball as a libero.
Awards and Recognition
Individual Awards
- 2001 FIVB World Grand Prix "Best Digger"
- 2001 NORCECA Championship "Best Receiver"
- 2004 Olympic Games "Best Digger"
- 2010 FIVB Women's World Championship "Best Libero"
- 2010 FIVB Women's World Championship "Best Digger"
