CVC Chat is a weekly interview series with a player from the Continental Volleyball Conference. This week we talked with Marymount University libero Albert Johansson and how he found his way from Sweden to the United States.

Main Street of Vasterjlung

Albert Johansson knew that if he was to continue playing a sport he loved after graduating high school and get a higher education that he would need to take a risk and head to a new country. Johansson, born and raised in Vasterjlung, Sweden, loved the sport of volleyball but would have to say goodbye to his parents Kjell and Inger, in order to pursue both an education and volleyball.

"I came to the United States because it is very hard to combine volleyball and schooling in Sweden," said Albert Johansson. "That is mainly due to the fact that sports are nearly non-existent at the collegiate level. Volleyball is also a small sport on the scale of things in Sweden."

Johansson first became interested in volleyball in 2000, playing a "kid-friendly" version. It wasn't until three years later when the competition level increased and that playing at the next level would mean moving on to the United States. While volleyball interest continues to grow in Sweden the sport still lags behind sports such as soccer, ice hockey, and skiing.

"As I got older I played in more competitive leagues, but the level of competition in the United States is really good."

One of the reasons Johansson fell in love with the sport is for the team aspect.

"It is impossible to win with one star. In volleyball everyone gets to be in the spotlight and only by working together can you win."

Since his arrival at Marymount last year Johansson has shown to be a key member of the team, filling in wherever needed. After joining the Marymount program last year as an outside hitter he has switched over to libero this season. Stepping in as the team's full-time libero this season he leads the team in digs, averaging 3.08 per set, and currently ranks third in the CVC.

It took Johansson some time to get acclimated to the United States, in particular the new found abundance of light during the day.

"The hardest thing to get used to when I came to the United States was the weather. I

Winter days are long in Sweden

wasn't used to having the sun out for so long and then of course the weather is a lot hotter and more humid here in the United States. In Sweden the sun is only up for a few hours during winter.

Johansson still goes back home during summer and winter breaks and spends time working at Scania, an automotive corporation, during his visits. He also spends time practicing with his old team but mostly his time is spent with family and friends. That is not to say that Johansson feels alone here in the Unite States.

A Swedish market at night time

"There are so many differences between Sweden and the United States. The biggest one for me has been how friendly and inviting people are here in the United States. In Sweden we typically have a small group of very close friends but here in America I have a lot more friends, a much larger group."

Johansson, a math major, would like to work in a lab or research facility doing calculations after graduating from Marymount. But in the mean time Johansson will continue to enjoy his time playing a sport he loves and furthering his education.

"I love my team here! I have a demanding coach that pushes and makes me and my team the best we can be and teammates that are everything I could wish for."