CHAMPAIGN — At the age when top-level volleyball recruits typically start committing to the nation’s best programs, Naya Crittenden was just being introduced to the game.
Track was her sport. Her dad, Michael, who ran track at California, was her coach. Three of her cousins either were track athletes (Talia Stewart, USC, and Tracy Stewart, California) or still are (Thandie Stewart, Miami).
Crittenden’s introduction to volleyball as a sophomore in high school even came through track. One of her former teammates was playing for a club team coached by her grandfather. They asked Crittenden if she was interested in giving volleyball a shot.