SPOKANE, Wash. — After a sensational season at Gonzaga to close her collegiate career, Cara McKenzie is heading across the world to begin her pro career with Polkky Kuusamo, the top Finnish volleyball league's reigning champions. 

The 6-1 Middle Blocker out of Belchertown, Mass. will be one of three Americans on Kuusamo's roster, ranked among the top 70 women's volleyball clubs in the world per Volleybox. The team went 40-7 on the season in 2021-2022, taking both the Finnish Cup and the league championship.

"It's always been my dream to play professionally overseas, and I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the support I've received along the way," McKenzie said. "I'm very excited to play with and against some incredible athletes and I'm excited for the growth from competing at this level."

McKenzie said she came into last fall wanting to prove she can succeed at the D-I level after joining the Zags as a grad transfer from D-II Adelphi, and prove it she did — to the tune of the third-best single season hitting percentage in program history (.309) and a team-high 68 blocks while picking up an All-WCC Honorable Mention nod. She finished the fall season with the third-most kills (191) and points (242) on the team with only 60 errors.

Now she's on to her next challenge, this time, in a brand new country.

"I'm going to miss just about everything about GU," McKenzie said. "I think what I will miss most is the people. I have made the most meaningful relationships with my teammates and it's hard to think I won't be seeing them every day anymore. They are people I'm going to have in my life forever and I'm beyond grateful Gonzaga brought them into my life."

McKenzie says she looks forward to adapting to a new style of play, and all the experiences that will come from living in a different part of the world. She's spent the last semester training in preparation while working towards her master's degree, soaking in as much as she can from the GU coaching staff before she departs in August.

"I like to stay consistent with what I'm doing and what I know works for me," she said. "I'm incredibly thankful for my coaching staff and trainers for their guidance and helping me feel prepared to head to the next level. I want to keep progressing and be the best version of myself when I get there."

This year, Polkky Kuusamo will compete in the European Champions League, with training camp set for August and the season beginning in October.