Radford Volleyball Alumni Spotlight: Savannah Cantrell

RADFORD, Va. – Savannah Cantrell helped guide the Radford Volleyball team to success, winning multiple championships with the Highlanders during her tenure from 2011-2014.

The middle blocker's freshman and sophomore seasons paced her for her successful upperclassman years. As a junior in 2013, Savannah came alive in the second half of the season playing in a total of 20 matches with 14 starts. She tallied 68 blocks, with four matches with five or more blocks, including a career-high eight rejections versus Savannah State.
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She made a huge impact during her senior campaign, leading the Highlanders in blocks at 101. With nine matches of at least five blocks, she even put down double figure kills five different times including a career-high 16 against Winthrop in the Big South Tournament semifinals. Savannah's hitting percentage was over 40 on 12 different occasions. Through 32 matches played, she notched the start 31 times.

The Jacksonville Beach, Florida native, is in the program record books multiple times. She holds three single-season records – ninth in block assists with 87 (2014), ninth in total blocks at 101 (2014), and seventh in blocks per set with 1.01 (2014). Her top-10 career record is in the total blocks category with 191 total rejections. Savannah was also named a 2015 All-American Athlete from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and EAS Sports Nutrition. The award recognizes student-athletes from around the country for their athletic accomplishments and dedication to strength and conditioning.

Her career totals as a Highlander are 237 sets played, 78 matches played, 322 kills, 23 assists,56 digs, 22 block solos, 169 block assists, 191 total blocks, 430.5 points, and 1.82 points per set.

Prior to Radford, Savannah was a member of Nease's St. John's River Conference Championship team. Her high school accolades include First Team All-Conference and AVCA Under Armor All-American nominee. She was a member of the Select Jax squad that traveled to Barbados for the BIP-USA Tour along with four other high school teammates her senior season. As a junior, she was a member of the Class 2A District 10 and Region 3 Championship teams at Tampa Prep. Savannah also traveled to Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary for the USA Tour in International Play.

Catch up with Savannah below!

Thinking back to your time before Radford, what made you chose to come here?
When I stepped onto Radford's campus, the brick buildings and fall leaves took my breath away. It was intimidating to consider moving from Florida to Virginia, but the Radford Athletics community made me feel supported and as soon as I got to campus, everyone became family.

What was your major at Radford?
I majored in health and human performance with a concentration in sports medicine. I also was only one class away from triple minoring in biology, chemistry and marketing.

What is something you will always remember/cherish about Radford Volleyball?
I will never forget competing in the NCAA tournament. After winning the Big South Championship, we lost in the first round against the 10 seed. But I will always cherish that because Radford Volleyball was getting national recognition for our team's hard work.

Do you have a favorite memory with your teammates or even Radford in general?
I have a list far too long of favorite memories with my teammates to share them all, but one of the best memories was our pre-game dance parties in the locker room.

What are you up to now?
I am now living in Charleston, S.C. and working for the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital in Pediatric Neurology.

What would you consider your greatest accomplishment since graduating from Radford?
Getting married and having several of my RUVB teammates standing by my side! My husband was one of Radford Volleyball's biggest fans six years ago and he too is a Radford Athlete Alumni. Shout out to the Golf Team!
Savannah Cantrell and husband

How did being a student-athlete here at Radford help prepare you for life after graduation?
Being a student-athlete taught me an immeasurable amount of discipline, hard work, time management, flexibility and leadership. My experience with Radford Volleyball absolutely set me up for success while attending medical school. Now in my career as a PA, in the difficult times of COVID, I'm thankful for the character that was built during my student-athlete career.

What advice would you give our current student-athletes?
Give it your all and enjoy every moment of it. There is no college experience more valuable or as special as being a student-athlete. You will grow as a person. You team will become your family. You will be exhausted during these days, but there will come a day that you will miss it. Work hard, have fun, and win a championship!

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*If you are an alum of the volleyball program and would like to be featured, please reach out to Asha Evans at anevans@radford.edu*

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