Carrie DeMange had a chance few volleyball players ever get: to play professionally in Europe.
But instead of jetting off to Germany, DeMange decided to come back to her alma mater.
Back to the University where she holds the all-time kills record, back to the program where she is remembered as one of the most dominant players in Blue Devil history.
For the 2007 ACC Player of the Year, a week with the Fighting Kangaroos, a professional German team, was enough.
"When I got over there, I wasn't sure because I'd never been abroad and never experienced a different culture," DeMange said. "I wasn't sure about my transition time, but I just wasn't happy when I was practicing. I was hoping the volleyball aspect would help the cultural aspect, but the culture shock just got to me.
"It was definitely a life experience that I needed, and I needed to see if it was something I was fit to do, but I just wanted to come home the entire time."
And once DeMange returned from Europe in the summer, she stepped in to the newly created Director of Volleyball Operations position at Duke.
For the former middle blocker, the administrative position is the first step toward her dream job as a college head coach. And although her position prevents her from providing any coaching to the team, the Ohio native is getting the opportunity to see the inner workings of a Division I program.
"You don't realize as a student-athlete how much goes on behind the scene," DeMange said. "You just don't realize what the coaches do during the day, all the work that has to be done. Seeing everything definitely makes you respect the coaches because their job is more than just the coaching aspect of it."
It isn't always easy, however, for DeMange to keep quiet on the bench. DeMange can only watch games from the sidelines, as NCAA rules bar teams from having more than three coaches.
"It's hard. The first example that I had was that my teeth hurt after a game because I was biting my teeth so hard because I couldn't say anything," DeMange said. "Not being able to talk to them is hard and they can't even turn to me and say anything. It's definitely a different transition and something I'm still getting used to."
Although DeMange can't assist with any coaching strategies, the former Blue Devil is more than just another familiar face for head coach Jolene Nagel.
"I think I squealed with delight [when I found out], but I wanted to make sure she made the decision for the right reasons," Nagel said. "Just having her presence and easygoing personality and continued support for the team is huge for all of us. The kids are able to take advantage of her, not necessarily with volleyball, but being an athlete with studies and being at Duke."
DeMange has stepped away from the net for now, but her playing days are not necessarily behind her. In addition to her coaching for the Triangle Volleyball Club for the second consecutive spring season, DeMange plans on joining up with fellow Blue Devil alumna and childhood friend Ali Hausfeld in a women's adult league in the area. And in the summer, DeMange will hit the sand to play beach volleyball.
But regardless of whether she's playing, coaching or standing silently on the sidelines, DeMange knows she will always be involved in the sport.
"I love playing volleyball. It's my passion. It's what I lived for my entire life," DeMange said." "It's what I grew up. My mom was a setter in high school and it was just part of my family for so long that I can't see myself stepping away from it. Coaching allows me to give back what I've learned and from my experience."
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