Stuttgart, Germany, October 23, 2018. Though two members are still to join the team, Allianz MTV STUTTGART are starting their 2018/2019 season on Wednesday with the away match at SLIEDRECHT Sport scheduled for the second round of the 2019 CEV Volleyball Champions League – Women.
While outside hitter Sarah Wilhite and assistant coach Tamari Miyashiro are currently travelling back home from the World Championship held in Japan, where Team USA finished in fifth place, STUTTGART are on a road trip to the Netherlands, where they meet up with SLIEDRECHT Sport. The reigning Dutch national champions did not show any difficulties while collecting two easy 3-0 wins over rookies UVC Holding GRAZ of Austria in the 1st Round.
Before the season even started, one STUTTGART team member showed already, how big of a fighter’s heart she has – literally.
When libero Roosa Koskelo from Finland joined the team for the start of the preparation phase back in August, the regular examination of the team doctors showed some abnormal results and for the first time ever diagnosed her with a serious heart condition. “I went back to Helsinki, fearing that I would never be able to play again at all,” says Koskelo. With the results from the STUTTGART team doctors, she was able to consult specialists in Finland – and they managed to adjust her unusual blood pressure.
As many as 14 different tests later, the doctors gave her the green light. “I was super excited to join the team again and be back on the court,” Koskelo admits. Naturally, a delay to the preparation feels much better than an abrupt end to her career.
On Tuesday, October 23, the 27-year old libero will be proudly entering the team bus to travel to Sliedrecht, in her suitcase taking the STUTTGART jersey with the number 1 – the first fight of a still young season already won.
