Former @CanesVB Standout Passes Away
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former University of Miami volleyball standout Nrithya Sundararaman passed away Friday at the age of 22.
Sundararaman was a model student-athlete, dominating on the court and in the classroom. A setter at Miami, from 2009-12 Sundararaman graduated magna cum laude from the College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. She recently completed her first year studying at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Sundararaman’s Miami career was filled with academic and athletic accolades, but the biggest impact she made was on her teammates and the University community.
“Intelligent, athletic, kind-hearted, caring, sister, daughter, friend and teammate are only a few words that really describe Nrithya,” former teammate Katie Gallagher said. “She was more than just someone attending Miami. She was a part of our team, a sisterhood that shares a bond that is unbreakable. Outside of volleyball, she was a hardworking student dedicated to becoming a doctor. She was a friend to many and could make you laugh in any situation. She was the true definition of a Miami Hurricane. Nrithya cared for everyone she came in contact with and always left a lasting impression. The memories I have had with Nrithya will be cherished in my heart forever.”
Two-time AVCA All-American Lane Carico roomed with Sundararaman at Miami and the two shared a very special bond that began in the three seasons they were teammates.
“She was one of those people that shined with confidence and enthusiasm,” Carico said. “As a teammate, her hard work and motivation inspired those around her. As a student, her eagerness to learn and discipline set her high above her classmates. As a friend, her liveliness and adventurous spirit made for the best of times. As a roommate, her honesty and unselfishness made her so easy to bond with. As a person, her big heart and goodness brightened the lives of all of us who were so fortunate to know her.”
“I will always love her,” Carico said. “She will always remind me to cherish the people and relationships in my life, because the way one individual can affect the lives of others is to such a grand extent that it is too important to take for granted. Thank you, Nrith.”
The senior captain earned several awards in her final season in Coral Gables. Sundararaman was nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year, a prestigious award that honors graduating female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
The Naperville, Ill., native was also named the 2012 ACC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She also headlined the 2012 All-ACC Academic Volleyball Team and was named to the Capital One Academic All-American Second Team, becoming the first Academic All-American in program history.
“Nrith was one of those players that always flew under the radar on the court,” Miami assistant coach Lee Nelson said. “Partially because she was a setter and thus never received her just accolades, but also because she was such a force off the court. When you have the ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year and an Academic All-American on the squad it’s easy to forget that she led her teammates right to the brink of an ACC Championship. What is easy to remember though, is that she did it with a presence that represented the team in the highest possible manner and made you proud to be associated with her.”
Sundararaman also earned recognition as an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar in the May 24, 2012, issue of Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The award recognizes “undergraduate students of color who have made academic and athletic achievement a winning combination.”
On the court, Sundararaman led the ACC in assists in 2012 with 10.72 per set and finished her career third in program history with 2,358. She earned honorable mention AVCA All-America, All-ACC and AVCA All-Region honors.
Sundararaman’s achievements on the court and in the classroom were recognized by the University of Miami as she was named the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2012-13 academic year. She was also tapped into Iron Arrow in the Spring 2013.
“Nrithya will be remembered by her University family for her intellect, athleticism and most of all, as a gentle and loving soul who brightened the lives of all who knew her,” Ann Helmers of Iron Arrow said. “She will be greatly missed and as a tribe, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.”
While Nrithya excelled as a student-athlete, she also made time to help others. She was a summer research intern with the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Sundararaman, who completed her coursework a semester early at Miami, spent her final semester in Coral Gables tutoring and mentoring her fellow student-athletes.
Sundararaman volunteered her time with a variety of different organizations. She and her Miami teammates were involved with “Dig Pink”, fundraising for breast cancer awareness and research. She also volunteered at children’s volleyball camps, and was active with Relay for Life.
“Nrithya’s passion was infectious, inspiring everyone around her to pursue their goals with the same tenacity and spirit that she embodied,” former teammate Lizzie Hale said. “As a teammate, she was courageous and fiercely loyal. My favorite quality about Nrithya was that she always gave 100% of herself. She was strong-willed and driven, and in turn, motivated me to be the best that I could. She was an incredible friend, an amazing role model and she touched the lives of so many.”
“Although I did not get the opportunity to coach Nrithya, I did have a chance to meet her and I knew of her accomplishments on the volleyball court and as a student,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “Nrithya was an exemplary student-athlete and a great representative of the U and Miami Volleyball. She will always remain a part of Cane volleyball. We are sending our love and support to her family and friends.”
Services were held Monday in Houston.
