The NCAA Division II All-American setter had spoken to several agents in Europe, and she entered the fall campaign with realistic expectations about a contract offer.

Andaya felt like she had learned enough during her first four years to take her game to the next level. But it was her fifth year of college ball that really gave Andaya the confidence she needed to pursue a professional career.

“I grew tremendously as a player during all three years in the Central program, but it wasn’t until my third year there that I really flourished,” said the former Ellensburg High School star and Gonzaga University transfer, who received a fifth year of eligibility due to the pandemic.

“I was able to be more creative and run the offense more effectively,” she added. “I figured out my own flow and my own system, and I learned how to isolate hitters better. That really helped me develop as a player, and I’m not sure I would have been ready to go pro if I didn’t have that fifth year.”

Andaya—the Great Northwest Conference’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (assists, digs, and blocks)—signed a contract with KS Tirana at the end of the college season and flew to Albania in early January. She trained with the club for about three weeks and then competed in two matches per week throughout the winter and spring.

“When I showed up, we started playing right away,” said Andaya, who lived in a dorm near the KS Tirana training facility, alongside three of her teammates, basketball players, and local college athletes. “It helped that I only had a few weeks off after the college season. That was just long enough for me to clear my head but also stay in shape.”

KS Tirana played in a series of championship cups from February through May, and Andaya has returned home this summer with the intention of returning to Europe next winter. She hopes to keep moving up the ranks, but her current club has given her a taste of what’s to come.

“I’m hoping to work my way up to a higher league eventually, but this has been a great first stop,” said Andaya, a CWU exercise science graduate. “The people here are really helpful, and I’ve become friends with a lot of the other foreign athletes.”

Andaya has had to make some adjustments with regard to her playing style, but not in the way one might expect.

“The game is actually a lot slower than the college game,” she said. “I’ve had to adjust to the speed of the hitters and set the ball higher than I was used to at Central. It’s just a different mindset than I was used to back home.”

Andaya can’t say enough about the court experience she gained at Central. Now, she’s learning how to take her game to new heights thousands of miles away from home.

“When you join a professional team, you are the person,” she said. “They change their program and their game plan to fit your style of play, and that can be a big responsibility. I’ve had to get used to some things, but I’m really enjoying it so far.”