LAKELAND, Fla. – When Florida Southern College head volleyball coach Lauren Tekavec '15 boards her flight to Brazil, she isn't just crossing continents—she's stepping into a new chapter of her coaching career. Tekavec will serve as a coach for a Division II all-star team competing against elite Brazilian squads on a 10-day tour. For Tekavec, the opportunity is both a professional milestone and a personal dream realized.

"I'm so excited to be in South America and compete against really high-level volleyball," Tekavec said. "We'll also have an opportunity to run a free youth clinic, which will be a fun opportunity to grow the game."

From Player to Coach: A Full-Circle Moment
International volleyball isn't new to Tekavec. As a freshman at Florida Southern, she traveled with her team to Belgium, the Netherlands, and France—an experience that left a lasting impression. "We were able to compete as a team against professional teams in Europe, and it was such an amazing experience," she said. "This is the first time for me as a coach to travel abroad with a team, and I hope I can replicate that for our program in the future."

When the University of West Florida's head coach became unavailable after the school's transition to Division I, organizers turned to Tekavec. "I was asked to coach on this trip after West Florida's transition into Division I— their coach could no longer attend," she said. "The company immediately reached out to me to fill her role."

Building Connections and Expanding Horizons
Tekavec sees the Brazil trip as a chance to broaden her recruiting network and coaching perspective. "My goal for this trip is to expand my international recruiting scope and make connections in the South American market," she said. "There is a lot of talent, especially in Brazil, and it will be a good opportunity for me to learn and grow as a coach in the international landscape."

The all-star roster is made up of standout Division II players from across the country. "This is a Division II all-star team, so players who have had a successful start to their Division II careers," Tekavec said. "They come from a lot of high-level programs throughout the nation."

Competition and Community
The team will play four matches during the tour, scheduled from May 11 to May 20. Beyond the competition, Tekavec is eager to give back. The free youth clinic in Brazil offers a chance to inspire the next generation and strengthen the sport's global community—values she hopes to bring back to Florida Southern.

As she prepares for the journey, Tekavec is focused on growth—both for herself and the athletes she'll lead. "It will be a good opportunity for me to learn and grow as a coach in the international landscape," she said. That mindset, paired with her passion for the game, is what makes this trip more than a coaching assignment—it's a step toward building something bigger for Florida Southern and for herself.