View source for Stacy Sykora

{{Short description|American former volleyball player}}
{{use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox volleyball biography
| name             = Stacy Sykora
| image            = Stacy Sykora.jpg
| image_size       = 
| alt              = 
| caption          = 
| nationality      = American
| birth_name       = Stacy Denise Sykora
| birth_date       = {{birth-date and age|June 24, 1977}}
| birth_place      = [[Fort Worth, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date       = 
| death_place      = 
| height           = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}
| position         = Libero
| nationalyears = 1999–2012
| nationalteam = {{vbw|USA}}
| medaltemplates-title = Medal record 
| medaltemplates   = 
{{MedalSport|Women's [[volleyball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}
[[File:Olympic rings.svg|center|80px]]
{{MedalCompetition | [[Volleyball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] }}
{{MedalSilver|[[Volleyball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|2008 Beijing]]|[[Volleyball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's team rosters#.C2.A0United States|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship|World Championship]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2002 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship|2002 Germany]]|[[2002 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship squads#.C2.A0United States|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup|FIVB World Cup]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2003 FIVB Women's World Cup|2003 Japan]]|[[2003 FIVB Women's World Cup squads#.C2.A0United States|Team]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2007 FIVB Women's World Cup|2007 Japan]]|[[2007 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup squads#.C2.A0United States|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIVB World Grand Prix]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2001 FIVB World Grand Prix|2001 Macau]]|[[2001 FIVB World Grand Prix squads#.C2.A0United States|Team]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2010 FIVB World Grand Prix|2010 Ningbo]]|[[2010 FIVB World Grand Prix squads#.C2.A0United States|Team]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2003 FIVB World Grand Prix|2003 Andria]]|[[2003 FIVB World Grand Prix squads#.C2.A0United States|Team]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2004 FIVB World Grand Prix|2004 Reggio Calabria]]|[[2004 FIVB World Grand Prix squads#.C2.A0United States|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Women's Pan-American Volleyball Cup|Pan American Cup]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2003 Women's Pan-American Volleyball Cup|2003 Saltillo]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[2012 Women's Pan-American Volleyball Cup|2012 Juárez]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2010 Women's Pan-American Volleyball Cup|2010 Rosarito/Tijuana]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Final Four Women's Volleyball Cup|Final Four Cup]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2009 Final Four Women's Volleyball Cup|2009 Lima]]|}}
|teamnumber=5}}

'''Stacy Denise Sykora''' (born June 24, 1977) is an American retired [[volleyball]] player.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-07-31|title=3-time volleyball Olympian Sykora to retire|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/volleyball/story/_/id/9526749/three-volleyball-olympian-stacy-sykora-decides-retire|access-date=2022-01-18|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref> She was a two-time All-American at [[Texas A&M University]] and she competed in both the [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000]] and the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Olympics]] as part of the [[United States women's national volleyball team|U.S. women's national team]]. She made her third Olympic appearance at the [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Olympics]], helping Team USA to a silver medal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stacy Sykora|url=https://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/athletes/stacy-sykora|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420053538/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/athletes/Stacy-Sykora|archive-date=April 20, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Team USA}}</ref>

Sykora won the gold medal with her team at the [[2001 FIVB World Grand Prix|2001]] and [[2010 FIVB World Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2010/viewPressRelease.asp?No=25759&Language=en|title=USA claim third FIVB World Grand Prix title with perfect record|author=FIVB|accessdate=2010-08-29}}</ref>

==Early life==
Sykora was born in [[Fort Worth, Texas]], to Ed Sykora and Sherian Richards.  She was raised in [[Burleson, Texas|Burleson]] (a Fort Worth suburb) with her two older sisters, Kim and Keri.<ref name="usolympicteam"/><ref name="usavolleyball">{{cite web  | title = Stacy Sykora  | publisher = USA VOlleyball  | url =http://www.usavolleyball.org/National/profiles/women/StacySykoraProfile.asp  | accessdate = 2008-06-03 }}</ref>  As a student at [[Burleson High School]], Sykora dreamed of becoming an Olympic athlete, but was unwilling to choose between volleyball, basketball, and track and field.  After graduating from high school, she accepted a scholarship to play volleyball at Texas A&M University<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stacy Sykora (2005) - Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame |url=https://12thman.com/honors/texas-am-athletic-hall-of-fame/stacy-sykora/228 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Texas A&M Athletics - 12thMan.com |language=en}}</ref> under coach [[Laurie Flachmeier Corbelli]], a member of the USA Volleyball team which won the silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.<ref name="kimmell"/>

==Texas A&M University==
While attending [[Texas A&M University]], Sykora competed in volleyball, [[basketball]] and track, winning a [[Big 12 Conference]] title in the [[heptathlon]].<ref name="gold">{{cite news  | last = Gold  | first = Eric  | title = Profile: Stacy sykora  | newspaper = The Boston Globe  | year = 2004  | url = http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=globe&page=olymp/2004/features/sykora_stacy.htm  | access-date = 2007-03-14  | url-status = dead  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040821024331/http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=globe&page=olymp%2F2004%2Ffeatures%2Fsykora_stacy.htm  | archive-date = 2004-08-21  }}</ref>  As a true freshman, Sykora played in all but one of the volleyball team's 30 matches, leading the team in kills in four matches and in digs three times.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

As a sophomore, Sykora set a school record with 24 digs in a three-game loss to Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament.  Against nationally ranked [[Loyola Marymount]], she posted a career-high 30 kills, leading the Aggies to victory.  After leading the [[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]] in digs with an average of 4.01 digs per game, Sykora was named that Texas A&M Volleyball defensive player of the year, and earned AVCA All-District 5 honors.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

In her junior year, Sykora led the team and ranked second in the Big 12 in digs, with an average of 3.80 per game.  For her performance throughout the year she was named MVP of the Georgia Invitational, First-Team All Big 12, [[AVCA]] All-District 5, and AVCA Second-Team All-American.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

The following year, her last year of college eligibility, Sykora ranked 9th in the country in digs per game (4.37).  She also led the Aggies in kills, with 4.74 per game, and earned First-Team All Big 12 honors.  She was also named to the [[American Volleyball Coaches Association]]'s All-District 5 team and was an AVCA Second-Team All-American.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

==USA Volleyball==

===1999===
In late 1998, the [[International Volleyball Federation]] introduced a new position, known as the libero, that specialized in defensive skills.  Sykora's coach, Corbelli, encouraged her to try out for this new position on the US volleyball team.<ref name="kimmell"/> In January 1999, Sykora joined the USA women's volleyball team playing this new position.  During her first year of international play, she recorded a team-high 456 digs, including 153 at the World Cup. She was named the Best Receiver at the BCV Volley Masters, also placing third in digging.  While on the Japan Tour, she recorded a career-high 22 digs in the June 30 match, before becoming the team's primary passer and defensive player on the bronze-medal winning Pan American Games squad.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

===2000===
In her second year of professional competition, Sykora again led the team in digs, with 553.  She was named Best Libero at the Nike Americas' Volleyball Challenge, helping her team to qualify for the [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney Olympics]].<ref name="usavolleyball"/>  Although the team placed fourth at the Olympics, Sykora was ranked second amongst all the players for her 123 digs, including a career-high 26 against Korea in the five-set quarterfinal win.<ref name="usolympicteam"/>  In the bronze medal match against Brazil, Sykora posted her 1000th career dig.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

===2001===
The following year, Sykora earned the Best Libero Award at the Montreux Volley Masters after leading both the serve-receive and digging categories.  She was named the Best Digger at both the World Grand Prix and the World Grand Champions Cup, and earned the Best Receiver award at the NORCECA Championships.  With her assistance, the team won first place at the NORCECA Championships, the World Grand Prix, and the World Championships Qualifying Cup.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

At the close of the international competitive season, Sykora joined the professional volleyball team Mirabilandia Teodora Ravenna in Italy's Serie A1.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

===2002===
In 2002, Sykora helped her team to the silver medal at the Women's Volleyball World Championships.  She spent the offseason playing professionally for Starfin Ravenna in Italy's Serie A1.<ref name="usolympicteam">{{cite web|title=Sykora, Stacy |publisher=US Olympic Team |url=http://www.usoc.org/26_21772.htm |access-date=2007-03-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825205922/http://www.usoc.org/26_21772.htm |archive-date=August 25, 2006 }}</ref>

===2003===
During the 2003 season, Sykora led the USA volleyball team in digs (533) and digs per set (3.46), and finished sixth on the team with 89 total points in 11 matches (85 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace) as the United States went 8-3.  Her team earned the gold medal at the Pan American Cup and the NORCECA Zone Championships and the bronze medal at the World Grand Prix and the World Cup, earning the USA a berth in the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens Olympics]].  Sykora was named Best Digger at the Montreux Volley Masters.<ref name="usavolleyball"/>

===2004===
Although the US national team was ranked first entering the 2004 Athens Olympics, they played poorly, losing three of their first five matches (beating [[Germany]] and [[Cuba]] and losing to [[China]], the [[Dominican Republic]], and [[Russia]]).  Their 2-3 record landed them the lowest seed in quarterfinal play, matching them with unbeaten Brazil.  After losing their first two sets to Brazil in the quarterfinals, the US team won the next two, but dropped the final set to Brazil, 15-6, leaving the US team tied for fifth in the Games.<ref name="msnbc">{{cite web  | title = End comes too soon for U.S. women  | publisher = MSNBC  | date = August 25, 2004  | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5810462/  | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20040825081909/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5810462  | url-status =dead  | archive-date =August 25, 2004  | accessdate = 2007-03-14 }}</ref>  Despite the team's lackluster showing, Sykora's performance earned her the Best Digger honor for the Olympic games.<ref name="kimmell">{{cite web  | last =Kimmell   | first = Tom  | title = Sykora reflects on life as a professional volleyball player  | publisher = USA Volleyball  | date = April 5, 2005  | url =http://usavolleyball.org/News.asp?id=921  | accessdate = 2007-03-14 }}</ref> Following the Athens Games, Sykora left the US national team.
[[File:Stacy Sykora during a match.JPG|thumb|right|Sykora during a match with the [[United States women's national volleyball team|U.S. women's national team]]]]

===2007===
After being three years away from the program, Sykora was named to the 12-player roster of the U.S. women's national team that played at the [[2007 FIVB Women's World Cup]] in Japan. The top three teams at the world cup will play at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in [[Beijing]].<ref name=vb>{{cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/284131.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071021061422/http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/284131.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-10-21|title=BRIEFS|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|access-date=2007-10-29|date=2007-10-29}}</ref> The U.S. team finished in 3rd place. In the medal round, the team eventually reached the gold medal match, losing to Brazil and capturing the silver medal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://olympicsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/silver-is-golden-for-us-women.html|title=Silver is golden for U.S. women in volleyball final|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825224604/http://olympicsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/silver-is-golden-for-us-women.html|archive-date=2008-08-25}}</ref>

===2010===
She was named Best Digger and Best Libero at the [[2010 FIVB Women's World Championship|2010 World Championship]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.fivb.org/EN/Volleyball/Competitions/WorldChampionships/2010/Women/viewPressRelease.asp?No=27090&Language=en|title=Russia repeat as world champions|author=FIVB|accessdate=2010-11-14}}</ref>

===2011===
After some time playing for Brazilian volleyball team [[Vôlei Futuro]], Sykora was injured when the bus carrying her team overturned on its way to the first match for the semifinals of the [[Superliga Brasileira de Voleibol|Brazilian Volleyball Superleague]] on April 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usavolleyball.org/news/2011/04/13/usa-volleyballs-sykora-involved-in-bus-accident/41841?ngb_id=2|title=USA Volleyball's Sykora Involved in Bus Accident|author=USA Volleyball|accessdate=2010-11-14}}</ref> She was taken to [[Hospital Sírio-Libanês]] where it was detected that she had head trauma and some bleeding in the left side of the brain. The player was sedated and admitted to the [[Intensive care unit]]. After a week in the ICU, Sykora's state had improved  and she was able to breathe and eat on her own and could walk around the hospital's halls with the help of nurses.<ref name="globo1">{{cite web|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/volei/noticia/2011/04/stacy-caminha-pela-primeira-vez.html|title=Stacy caminha pela primeira vez|author=Globo Esporte|date=April 18, 2011 |accessdate=2011-04-18|language=pt}}</ref> Sykora left the ICU and was transferred to a semi-intensive care unit on April 19.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/volei/noticia/2011/04/stacy-deixara-uti-nesta-terca-feira.html|title=Stacy Sykora deixará UTI nesta Terça-Feira|author=Globo Esporte|date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=2011-04-19|language=pt}}</ref> She was finally discharged from hospital on May 6.<ref name="discharged">{{cite web|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/volei/noticia/2011/05/stacy-sykora-recebe-alta-do-hospital.html|title=Stacy Sykora recebe alta do hospital|language=pt|author=Globo Esporte|date=2011-05-06|accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref>

===2012===
In December 2012, Sykora announced that she was retiring from professional volleyball playing, since she was not yet fully recovered from the accident she suffered while defending [[Vôlei Futuro (women's volleyball)|Vôlei Futuro]]. She still had problems with her eyesight and she lost some of her reflexes since that accident, which made playing volleyball as a Libero very difficult.<ref name="retired">{{cite web|url=http://blogdobrunovoloch.blogosfera.uol.com.br/2012/12/11/stacy-sykora-tem-sequelas-nao-supera-problema-de-visao-e-decide-abandonar-o-esporte/|title=Stacy Sykora tem sequelas, não supera problema de visão e decide abandonar o esporte|language=pt|author=UOL|date=2012-12-11|accessdate=2012-12-11}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2012, Sykora [[coming out|came out]] as [[lesbian]] in an interview with Italian volleyball magazine ''Pallavoliamo'', saying in part, "I have a girlfriend and I'm happy with her now. ... I'm happy and this is the most important thing."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afterellen.com/content/2012/10/team-usa-volleyball-player-stacy-sykora-comes-out |title=Team USA volleyball player Stacy Sykora comes out &#124; AfterEllen.com |website=www.afterellen.com |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101192313/http://www.afterellen.com/content/2012/10/team-usa-volleyball-player-stacy-sykora-comes-out |archive-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Awards==

===Individuals===
* ''[[FIVB World Grand Prix 2001#Individual awards|2001 FIVB World Grand Prix "Best Digger"]]''
* ''[[2001 Women's NORCECA Volleyball Championship#Individual awards|2001 NORCECA Championship "Best Receiver"]]''
* ''[[Volleyball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's volleyball#Awards|2004 Olympic Games "Best Digger"]]''
* ''[[2010 FIVB Women's World Championship#Individual awards|2010 FIVB Women's World Championship "Best Libero"]]''
* ''[[2010 FIVB Women's World Championship#Individual awards|2010 FIVB Women's World Championship "Best Digger"]]''

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Team USA|new_id=stacy-sykora|old_id=SY/Stacy-Sykora|archive=20211204225019}}
* {{Olympics.com profile}}
* {{Olympedia}}

{{USA squad 2002 FIVB Women's World Championship}}
{{USA squad 2003 FIVB Women's World Cup}}
{{USA squad 2007 FIVB Women's World Cup}}
{{United States women's volleyball squad 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Volleyball 2008 Summer Olympics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sykora, Stacy}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:American women's volleyball players]]
[[Category:American lesbian sportswomen]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Fort Worth, Texas]]
[[Category:Texas A&M Aggies women's volleyball players]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in volleyball]]
[[Category:Volleyball players at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Volleyball players at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Volleyball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:People from Burleson, Texas]]
[[Category:LGBTQ volleyball players]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from Texas]]
[[Category:Liberos]]
[[Category:Volleyball players at the 1999 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1999 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in volleyball]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportswomen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportswomen]]