#PrincetonPros Kessel '15 and Omene '25 To Face Off in Germany with Giesen vs Ludwigsburg

GIESEN, Germany – Princeton men's volleyball alums Cody Kessel '15 and Nyherowo Omene '25 will face off tomorrow in Giesen, Germany, in a Tiger Pro volleyball match between Helios Grizzlys Giesen and Barock Volleys Ludwigsburg. First serve is set for 7 p.m. CET.

The pair are two of four former Tigers who are currently playing professional volleyball overseas.

Kessel, a 2015 Second Team AVCA All-American and three-time First Team All-EIVA honoree while at Princeton, has spent the last 10 years playing professionally overseas after making his debut in Switzerland in 2015.

Bouncing around from Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Israel, and, as of a few weeks ago, Germany again as he joined Helios Grizzlys Giesen, Kessel has used Princeton as a jumping off point to experience a plethora of cultures all while continuing to play volleyball.

Now 35, Kessel says that still being able to play the sport he loves at such a high level is "a childhood dream come true."

Already making a splash at his new club, Kessel was voted MVP of the match in the team's most recent 3-0 win over Baden Volleys SSC.

Omene, new to the professional scene after graduating from Princeton last spring, currently plays for Barock Volleys Ludwigsberg.

The AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and First Team All-EIVA honoree has been enjoying his time overseas already, saying "I love the experience of experiencing a completely new culture while also getting to play the sport I love at the next level."

"The Bundesliga is full of world class athletes, so I'm constantly learning new skills and developing my game," said Omene. "Outside of volleyball, I have the opportunity to participate in awesome German traditions and learning the language, both of which I will cherish for the rest of my life!"

Both Kessel and Omene look back fondly on their time in the Orange & Black, citing how it set them up for success now at the highest levels of German volleyball.

"Princeton was vital in helping me develop as a more complete human being and man, and it changed my life forever in the most positive way," Kessel said. "It provided me with education that allowed me better to help myself as well as lead and serve others into the future both on and off the court."

"As much as I'm enjoying the experience abroad, there are times that being away from friends and family can get overwhelming and isolating," said Omene. "Despite this, because of the fortitude that I built by attending Princeton, I not only have the skills to work through the difficulties of this, but I also have the network to lean on when times get tough."

Since leaving Princeton, both have enjoyed immersing themselves in a new culture and a new rendition of the game they grew to love here in the States.

Kessel cites the passionate energy of German volley fans and the packed gyms he gets to play in as some of his favorite aspects of playing abroad.

For Omene, adjusting to the game at the pro level has been both challenging and rewarding; "Overall the game becomes a lot more granular here, and while it's a lot to take in in my first year, it has improved my personal game exponentially."

He also appreciates the different lifestyle Europe offers, saying "Europe has a slower culture that permeates in every aspect of life. From more paid time off, stores closed on Sundays, and career progression for the younger generation, Europe in general prioritizes taking more time in the daily lives and when planning the future"

He added, "While I do love and appreciate the drive that the US has, living in a slower culture has forced me to slow down and look around; take in my life rather than just breezing past it."

Tomorrow, a professional-volleyball rookie and a volleyball veteran will take the court on opposite sides of the net in Germany – but both have roots back across the Atlantic in Princeton. And for both former Tigers, it's an experience they won't take for granted.

Kessel is most looking forward to the fact that they both "get the opportunity to be healthy and compete in a fun and full gym right before the holidays here in Germany."

"It's a special and fun gift to share the court with a fellow Tiger," added Kessel. "Nyherowo and team are playing great so we have to bring our best."

"I'm so excited to not only be playing against a Princeton alum, but Cody in particular," said Omene. Cody is a legend in the program and someone I've come to admire both at Princeton and as a professional. He was very instrumental in my adjustment period to life in Germany and I'm so excited to compete against him."

"Both our teams are placed favorably in the leaderboards so this match will naturally be intense with league points on the line," Omene said. "However, most of all, I'm looking forward to catching up and bonding after the match!"

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results