GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 4 78
BY KYLE CHARTERS
KCharters@GoldandBlack.com
W
hen Danielle Cuttino was a junior in high
school, she was a member of the U.S. Youth
National Team, playing in a tournament in
California.
And there, she ran into the senior team.
"We were just watching them practice. We were in the
same outfits as them, we have the same (USA) gear on,"
the Indianapolis native said. "Obviously, they were the
national team and we were the youth national team but
we were like, 'Wow that could be us.' It was cool to see."
And a dream was born for Cuttino, one that is proba-
bly closer than ever to coming true. Playing for the U.S.
National Team likely won't happen this summer — only
a rookie following an All-America career at Purdue,
she'll likely need to gain overseas professional experi-
ence — but it's a possibility. Cuttino, an outside hitter,
and former teammate Ashley Evans, a setter, will head
to the U.S. training facility in Colorado Springs, Colo.,
in March, where they will train with Coach Karch Kiraly,
then go again following graduation in May.
After that, Cuttino and Evans will head overseas to
play professionally at yet-to-be-determined locations,
although probably in European or Asian league, places
considered top destinations for pro volleyball.
Turning Pro
Purdue soon will have four former players in professional ranks
Charles Jischke / Purdue Athletics
Danielle Cuttino hopes that overseas professional experience will
ultimately land her on the U.S. National Team.
