An outstanding prep player at Kickapoo, one of the top middle blockers in the SEC at Mizzou and now Emily Thater embarks upon a pro career. The 2013 KHS grad signed to play with Shwarz-Weiss Erfurt, a professional volleyball team in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top league.
The 6-foot-3 Thater, who leaves Mizzou in the top 5 in several blocks categories, made the decision to continue her volleyball career over dinner with her mother in Columbia last October.
“She said if you want to pursue this while you’re young and healthy and have the option to go see the world and go for your dreams do it, so that’s what I’m doing,” said Thater.
Thater flies out to Germany in early August with practice starting on the 7th. She’ll live in an apartment or “flat” with a teammate. The 22-year-old recognizes the challenge of being in an unfamiliar land with an unfamiliar language but is looking forward to “getting out of her comfort zone” and meeting the challenge.
“It’s time to take a step into the world and what better way is there than to play some volleyball and make some new friends from all over the world,” said Thater.
She chose Mizzou four years ago partly because of its proximity to home in Springfield, but now things are different.
“There will be no Christmas break, Thanksgiving dinner or spring break. I’ll be gone from the beginning of August to the end of March.”
Thater’s team, known as the “Ladies in Black” practices six days a week with games twice a week and just one day off, something Thater says she welcomes but will be a huge adjustment.
“My family is my rock and I know I’ll miss them terribly, but the opportunity to live in another country and experience more life than others might be able to at my age is humbling and I’m excited more than anything to take this step!”
Erfurt, Germany is located in what used to be East Germany. Thater is told most do not speak English, and while she doesn’t know German, she’s using an app to learn the basics.
“I’m headed back to my ancestral home of Deutschland and I’ve NEVER been more excited for some Brätwurst and Spätzle!”
Thater, whose degree was in Journalism/strategic communication/public relations, made the Dean’s List three of her four years in Columbia and was part of the winningest senior class in Mizzou Volleyball history, producing 105 wins over a four-year span.
She was named the No. 36 recruit nationally by PrepVolleyball.com and was named to the Under Armour/AVCA High School All-America watch list as a senior at Kickapoo.
