Abrupt.
This is such a sad news.
American middle blocker Nick Vogel, who plays for German club team Friedrichshafen, is left with no choice but to retire from volleyball due to a serious health problem.
USA Volleyball regrets to announce that middle blocker Nick Vogel will have to retire from volleyball immediately due to a health issue.
Speaking from Germany, where he has been playing for the club team Friedrichshafen, Vogel said that in February, he received the results from an echocardiogram done last year and they showed an issue with his heart that concerned doctors.
The doctors and Vogel, 25, thought he would be able to continue playing if he modified his workouts. But a follow-up test, done as a precaution, showed that any strenuous activity could be dangerous for the 6-foot-9 UCLA alum who grew up in San Diego.
“It was not what I was prepared to hear,” Vogel said. “I was really motivated from last summer from working with John Speraw and Matt Fuerbringer. I have never felt better or jumped higher. It’s a shock that I have something so serious, but can’t feel it at all.”
U.S. Head Coach John Speraw said the team will miss Vogel.
“All of us at USA Volleyball are disappointed that Nick will no longer be with the team,” Speraw said. “His unfortunate early retirement was disappointing to all of us because we thought he had the potential to help our team.
“We’re glad he’s healthy and they were able to diagnose this before it became a more serious issue. In the long run, that’s more important than playing volleyball.”
Vogel will stay in Germany to support Friedrichshafen through the playoffs. The German team is leading its semifinal playoff series against Luneburg, 2-0 and looks to have a good chance of meeting the Berlin Recycling Volleys in the finals.
After that, Vogel will return to the United States to figure out what comes next.
“Coaching is something that I am interested in,” he said. “I’ve always loved looking at the game from a more intellectual standpoint. I also love school and I am excited to go to graduate school.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and to a summer of doing things I’ve been missing.”
Nick also posted this on his Facebook Page:
“Sad times, but this is how life goes sometimes; gotta hit some curveballs every now and then. Getting really excited for the opportunities this will afford me in the future and for spending time back in the USA with family and friends. Thanks for the great ride, Volley.”
Click here to view Nick’s profile.
We wish you all the best Nick!
Health first before anything.
We will for sure see more of you on the volleyball court in the near future!
(images: USA Volleyball/ vfb-volleyball.de)