‘Volleyball here is just a dream’ for Stephanie Samedy
By Heather Rule / ProVolleyball.com
Pedro Mendes just missed out on coaching Stephanie Samedy at the University of Minnesota, when he arrived as an assistant coach in 2022 a year after the volleyball standout wrapped up her collegiate career.
But in his role as head coach and general manager of MLV Minnesota, Mendes will get his chance to coach Samedy on the professional level. He knew her from past summer camps, so he first reached out to her via text message a few months back, while she was still in-season playing professionally in Japan.
“’I think it would be really cool if we could get you as the first player ever for our team,’” Mendes wrote to her.
Her reaction?
“I think she was surprised,” he said.
He added that Samedy was also excited when she heard he was going to be the coach of the team.
“That’s what allowed us to have the second phone call, and then from there we just kept growing,” Mendes said. “Steph is just a huge step forward for our organization here. We couldn’t be more happy to have someone like her.”
The discussions all built up to this week when Samedy, the 6-foot-2 opposite hitter, became the first player signed to a contract in MLV Minnesota franchise history. She signed on May 5 for the 2027 pro volleyball season.
“I love being in the state of Minnesota,” Samedy said. “To have (professional) volleyball here is just a dream.”
It will help to have a player in Samedy who already understands the community, Mendes said, and can help build the winning culture of a new pro program in Minnesota. He looks forward to surrounding Samedy with more great pieces to be competitive on the court.
Samedy, 27 and a native of Clermont, Fla., is a familiar face to University of Minnesota Gopher volleyball fans. Her Gopher volleyball accolades include 2,020 kills, 1,539 digs, 413 blocks and 87 service aces in 145 career matches from 2017-21. She was the first Gopher, and second player in the Big Ten, to reach the 2,000 kills and 1,500 digs career milestones.
Playing for the Gophers gave Samedy the opportunity to develop her game and see how much fans in this state love volleyball.
“When I think back at my time at the U, I just remember those times in the Pav (Maturi Pavilion), packed out, amazing crowds,” Samedy said. “I’m excited to see that translate here.”
Since her time with the Gophers, Samedy became one of the top attackers internationally as she started her professional career in Germany. She has also played in Italy, Turkey and most recently Japan.
She spent the past two pro seasons with the Hisamitsu Springs of the SV League in Japan. The third-leading scorer in the league this season, she helped her team with the league championship this season after a second-place finish at the Empress’ Cup All-Japan Championship.
Playing in Japan helped prepare her for the next step in her professional journey, playing for MLV Minnesota.
“Just being able to execute and develop my game for sure has helped,” Samedy said. “I think being in a championship moment for sure has helped me with dealing with pressure.”
Samedy is also a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, debuting with the team in 2020. She’s a strong contender to make the roster of the 2028 U.S. Women’s Olympic Volleyball Team.
Besides the local familiarity and obviously stellar stats Samedy brings from her time with the Gophers and professional experience, Mendes praises Samedy’s consistency and ability to score points on the court.
“She is very consistent,” Mendes said. “You know what you get no matter what day it is of the week.
“I think when you’re talking about volleyball, having a points scorer like her will put you in good situations to win games.”
MLV Minnesota assistant coach CC McGraw is someone who’s seen firsthand how much Samedy can help a team win. They were teammates for three seasons with the Gophers.
“She’s the type of player that your jaw just drops, even as a teammate,” McGraw said. “Because the things that she can do, the type of person that she is, she’s just a heck of a human and someone that people are just drawn to when they want to come support women’s sports.”
In starting a program like MLV Minnesota, McGraw recognizes how valuable it is to sign a player like Samedy to draw in a fan base that already knows her so well. It’ll be exciting for Gophers fans to see Samedy play in Minnesota again, this time playing professionally, McGraw added.
“The things that she can do on the court is one thing, but I think her role in the community and what she’s going to be able to provide to the younger generation is very exciting and someone that they’re going to be able to spire to and look up to for the future,” McGraw said.
MLV Minnesota, with a team name and colors coming soon, is set to start its first season in January 2027 at Grand Casino Arena.
“Minnesota has a special place in my heart,” Samedy said. “I’m excited that we get to bring professional volleyball here.”