Being a member of the Hofstra University volleyball team is more than learning how to better yourself for matchday; it is an exchange of cultures, personal growth and a found family. During her four seasons repping blue and gold, Emilly Nunes went through a period of personal and athletic development thanks to being a member of the volleyball team.
Four years ago, Nunes first graced the court of the David S. Mack Physical Education Center as a rookie from Brazil. Her journey as a volleyball player, however, started when Nunes was 8 years old and looking for something active to do.
“My family was super fond of volleyball,” Nunes said. “They were like, ‘You are going to be tall. You should invest in this, start practicing.’ I was like ‘You know what, I can be good at this.’”
Nunes’ family was certainly right about her height, as she grew to stand at 6 feet and 1 inch tall, a perfect threat at the front of the net as a middle blocker. She came to formation as a player, gaining recognition from college coaches due to the exposure that came from her club team, Minas Náutico.
While excelling at the sport in Brazil, Nunes saw the opportunities that Hofstra held because of its athletic status and its proximity to New York City through conversations with head coach Emily Mansur. That is what led her to play Division I volleyball at Hofstra.
“The Hofstra volleyball team was literally like a family,” Nunes said. “I played in Brazil, for example. We don’t have this kind of environment to have everyone together like a family. So, I was like ‘You know what, I think this is going to be my place. It feels like a home; everybody is always together. The coaches are amazing. The environment, the place and the location of Hofstra is amazing.’”
Coming to Hofstra was more than just heading to college; it was a complete cultural shift for Nunes. The language, lifestyle, food and weather were all different.
“In Brazil, basically everything is homemade. Over here, I was kinda like ‘Oh people really like fast food,’” Nunes said. “ [Americans] have a heavy breakfast in the morning, and for lunch people usually have a sandwich. In Brazil, we kinda do the opposite.”
In addition to the major lifestyle changes Nunes endured during her first months in a new country, she also had to refine her English.
“[English] is different to a native speaker than like Brazilian teachers or what people would teach me,” Nunes said. “When you get here, people [were] not speaking very formal in English.”
Luckily for Nunes, she joined a team with several international students who dealt with the same struggles. The coaching staff and the upperclassmen helped Nunes and her teammates adjust to playing collegiate volleyball and engage in American culture.
“[The coaching staff] helped correct my English,” said Nunes. “[My teammates and coaches] taught me the rules, so it made life easier.”
Not only was the lifestyle a complete change for Nunes, but the style of volleyball was different, too.
“For me, it was a lot different,” Nunes said. “In Brazil, it’s much faster. You just kinda hit the ball and get a point. Over here, you have a big plan before you play.”
Nunes picked up on the new style of play quickly, earning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) All-Rookie Team honors while amassing 82 blocks, 92 kills and 24 digs as a freshman.
Nunes loved the environment of Hofstra right from the start, despite all the challenges she faced. Even in an age where the transfer portal is so prevalent, Nunes never thought about leaving the Pride.
“From my freshman year, I learned a lot of things, so I was like ‘I have a lot to learn over here and I’m not leaving,’” Nunes said. “I had hard moments, but this is making me better. We have a family here, and I love my coaches too.”
Nunes continued to grow as both an individual and an athlete throughout her time at Hofstra. She has been a reliable part of Hofstra’s rotation throughout her entire career, playing in 336 total sets, putting up 414 kills, while being a standout defensive blocker with 285 total blocks.
As Nunes entered her senior year with the Pride, she geared up for her biggest role yet as a leader on and off the court.
“This year I have much more voice, and I have to teach the younger ones [about] how Hofstra works and how Hofstra volleyball works,” Nunes said.
Nunes and the Pride started ramping up for the season back in July, getting to campus early to get into a rhythm before classes began. This helped create a connection between the athletes, which Nunes attributed this season’s success to.
“We have people who are super fired-up, and the ones who are not. We kind of complete each other,” Nunes said. “We keep pushing each other, and we play for each other too, which makes it better to be on the court.”
Nunes got to go out with a bang since the Pride were crowned Co-CAA Regular Season Champions and earned the first seed in the CAA Tournament. In the tournament, the Pride bested North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the semifinals and fell to Campbell University in the championship round.
Nunes has learned more than just how to better herself as an athlete. She has taken away some valuable life lessons too.
“[I learned to] always do your best. It doesn’t matter the situation, just do what you have to do,” Nunes said. “[In terms of] friendship too: treat everyone around you like they are important. It’s super important how you interact with the people around you.”
Nunes has grown to enjoy her time in New York and plans on staying in the United States post-graduation.
“I want to get a really good job over here in America,” Nunes said. “That is my first goal after graduation.”
Nunes has not only grown to love the place but has grown into a new person as well.
“I am super grateful for Hofstra for everything that I have been taught over here. The Emilly from freshman year is completely different from her now,” Nunes said. “I grew up a lot, mentally and on the court as well. I got much, much better.”
