Submitted by The Evergreen State College
Former multi-sport athlete Lily Stewart (’23) of The Evergreen State College signed and began playing professional volleyball in Kosovo this fall. Stewart competed in volleyball, women’s basketball, and women’s track and field for the Geoducks.
Stewart signed with KVF Ferizaj in the Kosovo Superliga. She signed on Nov. 4 in the middle of the team’s season.
As a college player, Stewart competed in volleyball throughout her time at Evergreen, but the team did not play in the fall of 2020 due to COVID-19. Stewart participated for three years as forward in basketball and as a thrower in track and field, but neither team competed in 2020-21. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Medicine at Evergreen in 2023.
After graduating from Evergreen, Stewart attended the University of Alaska-Fairbanks in 2023-24. She played volleyball and basketball at UAF and graduated in 2024 with a One Health Master of Science degree.
When her collegiate career with the Geoducks and the Nanooks was over, she looked for a new opportunity to continue playing volleyball at a competitive level.
“I asked my coach from UAF if he knew of anyone who could help me find more opportunities to play,” Stewart said. “A few months later, after I signed with an agent, the agent connected me with this opportunity in Kosovo.”
Once Stewart arrived in Kosovo, she had to quickly adjust to a new team that was already playing regular season matches.
“I came in with a strong skill set and valuable experience, which has allowed me to contribute to the team in meaningful ways,” Stewart noted. “I’m focused on sharing what I’ve learned and working together with my teammates so we can all grow and improve as a team. My goal is to help us reach our full potential and succeed together.”
Even so, it’s been a great learning experience for the former Geoduck star. She’s added lots of knowledge about Kosovo and about volleyball. It was an ideal situation for Stewart to adapt to a new city, a new team, a new league, and new friends.
“Since arriving to my team, I’ve learned a lot about both volleyball and Kosovo,” Stewart commented. “In volleyball, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of adapting to different playing styles and strategies. I’ve also improved my ability to communicate on the court despite language barriers, which has made me a more versatile player.
“As for Kosovo, I’ve learned about its rich culture, history, and the hospitality of its people,” Stewart added. “It’s been fascinating to experience a new environment and see how passionate the community is about sports, especially volleyball.”
Stewart’s trip to Europe and her opportunities with the professional team in Ferizaj have provided her with great experiences and many positive memories. Gathering knowledge about a country thousands of miles from her hometown of Toppenish, Washington, has been valuable and worthwhile.
“What I’ve enjoyed most … is the opportunity to experience a different part of the world and connect with amazing people,” Stewart said. “The team has been incredibly welcoming and has made it fun to learn their language and traditions. It’s been a unique experience to fully immerse myself in this new culture, both on and off the court, and it’s something I’ll always cherish.”
The seasons of practice and competition while Stewart was a student-athlete at Evergreen helped her adjust to playing on a professional volleyball team in Kosovo. With the Geoducks, she discovered and the skills that allow college athletes to balance academics, athletics, and social interactions in order to be successful.
“Being a student-athlete at Evergreen helped prepare me for playing professionally in Kosovo by teaching me how to balance things effectively,” Stewart asserted. “It developed my discipline, time management, and work ethic, which are crucial for succeeding at the professional level. Playing at Evergreen also gave me valuable experience competing at a high level, building resilience, and working as part of a team. These skills have translated well to the challenges of playing professionally and adapting to a new environment in Kosovo.”
Stewart registered 325 kills and a .232 hitting percentage during her final season with the Evergreen volleyball team in 2022. She averaged 3.19 kills per set and also earned 33 aces, 124 digs, and 80 total blocks. She played in 27 matches, including starts. In her career with the Geoducks, she saw action in 74 matches and 270 sets. She accumulated 791 kills and a .234 career hitting percentage to go with 652 aces, 26 digs, and 193 blocks.
During the 2021-22 and 2022-23 basketball seasons, Stewart provided the Geoducks with 216 points (5.3 avg.), 236 rebounds (5.8) avg.), 35 assists, and 22 steals. She shot 54.3% on field goals (101 of 186). She played in 41 games with 31 starts. Stewart competed in the discus throw and the hammer throw during the 2022 and 2023 track and field seasons at Evergreen.
Stewart’s participation as a thrower for the Geoducks was a key motivating factor for her brother, Paul Stewart, when he decided to attend Evergreen and join the men’s track and field team as a competitor in the hammer throw. Paul Stewart will be a sophomore for the Geoducks this spring.
“My top memories as an athlete with the Geoducks go beyond just playing volleyball,” Lily Stewart said. “It was the friendships I made and the moments we shared off the court that made my time there so special. The bus rides, team dinners, and hanging out with teammates were some of the most fun and memorable experiences.
“Breaking records and setting standards was definitely rewarding, but what stood out most was the support from my coaches,” Stewart commented. “They always went the extra mile for us, whether it was helping with extra reps or just being there when we needed them. Their belief in me made me feel like I could accomplish anything, and that made my time with the Geoducks truly unforgettable.”