Havili Lands Roster Spot with Vegas Thrill

ABILENE – Abilene Christian University assistant volleyball coach Ainise Havili is going pro.
 
Havili successfully landed a roster spot with the Vegas Thrill of the Pro Volleyball Federation.
 
In her team introduction video, Havili, who previously played professionally overseas, expressed gratefulness for the opportunity to play professionally in the United States.
 
"My eyes started watering," said Havili. "Just having to go so far away from home to play the sport I love - and it was great to be around different cultures and see the world - but to have this game at such a high level here in our backyard, where we grew up, where we started playing is, I mean, I can't describe the feeling. Some countries have had it for 2040 years. And for us to be just starting seems like we're, you know, running behind. But I'll take what I can get and I'm just so happy to be here."
 
Havili played professionally in Sweden, Turkey and Germany after a four-year career at Kansas and a year of beach volleyball at Arizona. The three-time Big XII Setter of the Year and two-time AVCA All-American had her jersey retired at Kansas in 2022 and was inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame in 2023.
 
"We are so excited for Ainise making it onto the Las Vegas Thrill roster," said ACU Head Coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup. "I've always felt it's important for young athletes to pursue their sport, their passion, as long as they can. For Ainise to be able to gain more valuable playing experience, learn from the highest-level coaches in the nation and then bring that knowledge back to ACU is huge. We will miss her in Abilene but are excited about the exposure and the skills Ainise will gain in the process. Ainise's connection to the pro league in the US will also undoubtedly make a clear path for athletes at ACU seeking to pursue professional volleyball after college. We'll be cheering her on from the locker room Wednesday at 7 p.m. as she competes in her first match.
 
Before coming to ACU, she served as a volunteer assistant at Purdue.
 
She has a bachelor's degree in sports management from Kansas (2018) and a master's degree in marketing from Arizona (2019).
 
The Thrill takes on the Omaha Supernovas at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The regular season concludes on May 11.
 
The PVF includes the Thrill, Supernovas, the Atlanta Vibe, the Columbus Fury, Grand Rapids Rise, Orlando Valkyries and the San Diego Mojo. The league plans to expand to Dallas, Indianapolis and Kansas City in 2025.