Polish club KPS Siedlce has announced in its official Facebook page that it has signed Shalev Saad to its roster. The 26-year-old 6’5″ outside hitter, a Israeli native, is signing his first pro contract after graduating from Grand Canyon University. He is also a member of the Israeli national team and played beach volleyball during his youth, even going so far as participating at the European Championships. Here are his first words as a member of his new team:
“It’s a challenge! For me it’s a new country and I get to learn something new all the time. It’s also a new language. All the time I look around myself so that someone can translate to me, for example, what the trainer said. I love the city in which I live now and the team in which I play. Really, everything is professionally organized. There is a big difference between what it looks like in Israel. I am very happy that I have the opportunity to play in Poland. I am grateful to my manager, as well as to coach Grzegorz Rysi and Adam Malik for helping me find a club here.
It was a very difficult summer for me. I finished college in the United States. I wanted to take another step in a professional league. In addition, in Europe we can talk about a really high level of training, thanks to great trainers. I did not play too much in the national team, but I got my chances and my skills were noticed. I was looking for a club where I could develop, play at a high level, and above all I will get a chance to play. I think that the Polish league is the best choice .
I was 22 when I moved to the United States to gain new experience. The game there was something completely new to me. It was a different volleyball than the one that I knew so far. It’s the same in Poland. For me it is also a new experience. Many things are new and different to me. I am very happy that I could have experienced something like that in the USA. As you said, it was great experience and challenge. I did what I love. It’s my job, but it’s very nice. I am happy that I can experience all this, meet new people and new countries.”
Saad finishied hs GCU career ranked third in the program’s in kills with 925 and fifth in aces with 68.
