University of North Carolina Athletics
Paige Neuenfeldt ’16 Signs Pro Contract In France
August 3, 2017 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL – Tar Heel standout Paige Neuenfeldt '16 will be back in action this fall after signing a professional contract to play with Volley-Ball Club Chamalières in central France. Carolina's all-time blocking leader, Neuenfeldt was named AVCA All-America and CoSIDA Academic All-America as a senior, following three consecutive AVCA Honorable Mentions. A 2016 graduate of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Neuenfeldt spent the past year as a consultant at Ernst & Young in Atlanta while recovering from knee surgery, but is eager to get back out on the court.
"I loved getting to travel for work," said Neuenfeldt. "I learned a ton and was given so much responsibility as a recent graduate. However, I was cleared to play and spent all my free weekends playing tournaments with the Atlanta adult volleyball community. I missed the sport so much and realized I could still play at a high level despite coming off double knee surgery."
Chamalières is located in central France, roughly four-hours south of Paris. The team won its division last season, allowing it to move up to the top French league (Ligue A Féminine) for 2017-18. Neuenfeldt will see some familiar faces when she arrives in France, joining fellow Americans Kathleen Gates and Lauren Schad on the roster. A standout setter at Georgia, Gates and Neuenfeldt have worked together at Carolina Volleyball camps each of the past few summers, while Schad, a middle hitter from the University of San Diego, is a fellow Elite Volley member.
"I am so excited to play with such a talented, veteran setter," said Neuenfeldt. "Lauren is a power slide hitter and the two of us should complement each other well. I am very excited to get to meet the rest of my teammates and coaching staff very soon, and I am beyond excited to play at the highest level I can and see a new, international style of play."
The regular season begins on Oct. 16 with an away match against Mulhouse and runs through the end of March. Fans can follow Neuenfeldt's international journey on Facebook at Paige Neuenfeldt – Pro Volley.
"I want to give a big thank you to everyone who pushed me towards this amazing opportunity," said Neuenfeldt. "It's not always easy giving up the security of a great, steady job and going after something you truly are passionate about but has a lot of unknowns and a time stamp, but I know I have a huge safety net waiting for me at home via family, friends and my Carolina Volleyball family."