International Volleyball star Nia Grant in Belize

American volleyball athlete Nia Grant is in the country for five days, and she’s gearing up to participate in the National Female Volleyball Championship. The 29-year-old will be playing with the Belmopan Mystics in this weekend’s competition and says she is looking forward to playing alongside talented Belizean players. Grant has played in several leagues in over twenty-nine countries and has years of experience in the sport. Today, our newsroom caught up with the athlete and heard about her expectations for the tournament. 

Nia Grant, Volleyball Athlete: “I came here a couple years ago in hopes to play in the same tournament but it didn’t work out so Angie and Ms.Yvette called me and asked me if I wanted to try it again and I was interested in doing that and watching the young players and helping volleyball grow I think it’s gonna be an awesome opportunity to do that.”

Reporter: I know you’ve played throughout Europe so what are your expectations for Belize ?

Nia Grant, Volleyball Athlete: “I don’t really have any expectations. I just hope that everyone is just receptive to the opportunity and we all have a good time and play some good volleyball.”

Reporter: And I see you’re here with your daughter. So is it that you’re here as well to you know enjoy some time as well too ?

Nia Grant, Volleyball Athlete: “Yeah. Hopefully after we can take a day or two. I brought my mom also so we want to come and see Belize. It’s my second time here so there are some things that I didn’t get to see the first time we came that I would love to see this time. I plane on practicing with them over the next couple days and obviously playing with them so any questions that they have or tips that I can give them or if any young players want to come play in America then I would love to help with that as well and I’m willing to help on all aspects of it. Yeah I think it means something a little bit different now that I have a baby just coming somewhere that’s welcoming and the people are warm and they just want to have fun playing volleyball I think is really important to me so I’m really excited to just be around that and playing with good vibes and having a good time.”

The tournament will be held at the Belize Civic Center this weekend in Belize City