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 The Troy volleyball program returned from its eight-day foreign tour to Costa Rica at the end of last week after exploring the country, hosting youth clinics, playing international matches, taking part in various service events and a plethora of other activities.

“Our Costa Rica trip was amazing,” head coach Josh Lauer said. “It was an incredible experience to visit different parts of the country like the rainforest, the beach and the bustling city of San Jose. I’m so thankful that we were able to make this happen. We have some amazing donors, a very supportive administration and a great study-abroad office. Without them, none of this would’ve been possible.”

The Trojans arrived in Costa Rica on July 24 and began their immersion into the country’s historic capital city. The following morning, the team loaded up and headed towards the rainforest of La Fortuna, where it would spend the next three days.

The first full day in La Fortuna included a visit to the Chachagua Rainforest, where the players and coaches took part in a reforestation project by planting endangered species of native trees. Shortly after that, the team had the unique opportunity to learn about and take part in the chocolate-making process at a local organic farm. That night the Trojans hosted their first youth clinic of the trip as they participated in drills and other activities to help spread the game of volleyball.

While in Fortuna, Troy also did some exploring as it hiked to the beautiful turquoise waterfalls and zip-lined through the rainforest. After lunch, the Trojans participated in additional service projects, as they visited the local community of Invu de Peñas Blancas, San Ramón, where they spent time with the local community in one of the most authentic Costa Rican experiences of the entire trip.

The stop in San Ramón – the hometown of one of the tour guides – was an amazing opportunity to spend time at the local soccer fields, play with children in the community and enjoy a home-cooked meal before departing La Fortuna on the fifth day of the trip to venture to the gorgeous black sand beach of Jaco.

While in Jaco, players and coaches spent time relaxing by the ocean and taking surfing lessons. The Trojans closed out their beach stay with a sunset dinner on the beach.

The final two days of the trip were spent back in San Jose. Troy hosted a pair of youth clinics and played in two international matches – the first of its kind in program history.

“The memories we made while serving the communities in Costa Rica will last a lifetime,” Lauer said. “We were privileged to host three volleyball clinics and play in our first international matches. We spent a whole afternoon and evening in a small community helping out school kids, playing soccer and getting to know the locals. It was an amazing trip and one I know that our team will never forget.”