Jeff Menzel in Spain

Dear Jeff Menzel, how come you jump so high?

The intense player, the firepower at last year’s NCAA Final 4, the pride of the UCSB Gauchos, the high leaping Jeff Menzel! The American outside hitter is currently playing professionally for the very first time in Spain for Almeria Volleyball Club. In case you didn’t know, JM made his USA National Team debut at last year’s World University Games.

Below you’d read about what the 6’6 athlete did first, where he went first, the first person who visited him, his first match, his first night and many more when he first arrived in Espanya.

The first delicacy/ meal I tried was Spain’s specialty, paella. Paella is rice veggies and seafood cooked together in a giant pot which the spaniards have perfected and I have desperately been trying to copy.

The first place I visited in Spain was the beach at Cabo de gato. The team had a morning workout in the sand and sun then took the hard work into the water. Fun while getting in shape? Nothing better.

The first match I played was the Supercopa (super cup) of Spain against Teruel, the other big team in the Spanish super league. We ended up crushing them in three games and to my surprise I received the “mejor jugador” or best player award. Truly an unforgettable memory.

The first night in Spain felt like I was in a dream. It took me awhile to finally get a handle on where I am and what I’m doing. I’m living my dream. Beautiful beaches, beautiful weather, beautiful people. I felt like I was back in southern California, almost.

Te first person who came to visit me was a buddy I have known since high school. He was doing a euro trip and stopped by to hang out for a few days which was amazing and fun since that was the time I was starting to get my first headaches from trying to speak so much Spanish.

The first weekend in Spain was spent working out and sleeping. I was high on the fact I am actually living my dream and I couldn’t get out of the gym.

The first thing I wanted to do in Spain was travel. Unfortunately we didnt have many days off so It took a few months before I was able to but I’m not complaining by any means. There will be plenty of travel time in the future.

The last thing I want to do in Spain would be… I haven’t really thought about this but I guess I’d like to just start driving along the coast until I see an amazing beach where I could sped the day stuffing my face with great seafood and wine. After a long year of playing, relaxation is all I’m thinking about before I head back home and start the training with the national team again.

Thank you so much JM for sharing your first moments! We wish you the best this season and of course in the coming seasons of your volleyball life! When we see you again, hope you can teach us how to jump the way you do and we’d teach you how to dougie. LOL! Kidding!

For the sake of sharing, Spain is one of the countries we’d like to visit someday. We’ve read and heard a lot of wonderful things about Espanya. Madrid and Barcelona are on top of our list.