Annalea Maeder’s future in volleyball looked uncertain last November. “While my time as a bear on the court is coming to an end, Cal will forever hold a special place in my heart,” said the Swiss native in a farewell message on Senior Day. After spending the last 4 years as a Golden Bear, it was time for her to leave the place she had called home for so long. But what was next for Annalea Maeder?

Fans of Maeder had little to worry about in the end. In a new Instagram post, she announced that she would be back on the court, playing for the Creighton University Bluejays! “Someone pinch me, I feel like I’m dreaming,” read the caption. The accompanying image was a riot of blue; Maeder was all smiles as she held up the Bluejays flag, surrounded by Bluejays imagery.

It was a move that some fans had already speculated about, as Maeder was in attendance at a Creighton University basketball game just before she announced her newest career move. It’s certainly an interesting move for her as Maeder will be leaving an established program to help a program on the come-up reach greater heights.

However, prior to the announcement, Maeder had left her fans in the dark. Some wondered if she would even end her stateside adventure to return to Switzerland. There was, after all, a reason behind her uncertain future.

Annalea Maeder missed out on the perfect ending at Cal

Maeder’s final year with Cal was cut short early due to injury. It was an unfortunate end to a season that began with a lot of promise, as she was named the ACC setter of the week in September and had just recorded a career-high 60 assists and 15 digs in a game against San Francisco. Not to mention her more than respectable average of 9.18 assists per set. But alas, it wasn’t long before an injury halted her momentum.

It was not the end that someone who had gone through such great pains to play for UC Berkeley would’ve wanted. “When I came to Cal as a freshman, I knew that I was probably going to have to do a lot more than ‘normal’ students in order to succeed,” said Maeder in an interview with college media.

After all, the Swiss setter had crossed thousands of miles to come play volleyball in an entirely unfamiliar city and country. She was unable to visit the campus due to Covid-19 restrictions and was unfamiliar with the English language when she arrived initially, while also adapting to being so far away from home.

But just like on the court, Maeder showed resilience off of it too. “Annalea has truly grown in her time here at Cal,” said head coach Sam Crosson. “She has done an extraordinary job of making that transition.” The circumstances were difficult for Annalea Maeder, but not for long. Maeder’s strong inner drive helped her overcome her initial teething problems and become a key player in the Golden Bears’ lineup.

“Dear Cal volleyball, thank you for giving me the opportunity for a lifetime, the chance to wear California across my chest and proudly call myself a Golden Bear for the past four years,” she stated in her farewell message. Although she couldn’t end her time with Cal on her own terms, a new journey awaits with the Creighton Blue Jays.