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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 4 80 one of the main reasons why I'm going overseas." Players, though, can also gain financially by playing internationally. In the top leagues, ones that are filled frequently with a country's national team members, sala- ries can reach six figures. Cuttino is likely to get to play against the some of the best. The 6-4 hitter was an first-team All-American last season, joining only three others (Ariel Turner, Stepha- nie Lynch and Marianne Smith) previously at Purdue to gain such accolades. Cuttino benefitted from a position switch while a Boil- ermaker, when she moved from a middle blocker her first couple seasons to left-side hitter as a junior and senior. After some bumps in her junior year, she flourished as a senior, garnering first-team All-Big Ten honors, plus All-America status from about every relevant organiza- tion. But she'll see another slight position change profes- sionally, with Kiraly wanting her to play opposite, a more attack-oriented spot. Playing professionally should help ease that transition. "I'm younger, I haven't played professional yet," she said. "I haven't played that type of volleyball yet. I'm very confident in my skills, I just need the experience and I'll be fine I think." Then maybe Cuttino will get that Senior USA experi- ence she's coveted. Drews and Nichol have been on the roster at times over the last year — it's fairly fluid, de- pending often on players' schedules — but the goal, of course, is to be a member during the Olympics or other prime international competitions. Maybe Cuttino, or the other former Boilermakers, will get there. Until then, they'll represent while playing profession- ally away from the States. "I didn't realize how big volleyball was overseas," Ev- ans said. "I thought it was just something you could go and make a little money and that it wasn't a big deal. After training and getting to the level that I am now, I re- alized that I could achieve overseas. You have to actually be at a specific level to play over there. When I actually re- alized I was good enough to play I was like, 'Oh, I actually really want to do this.' It's a decision you have to make. It's something I'm really excited about." j Opening March 19 in Lafayette! 100 N 2nd St Lobby & Drive-thru Hours M-F 9am-5pm 24-hour ATM Member FDIC