Most Notable

• Named 2016 AVCA Division I National Player of the Year and espnW National Player of the Year as a senior at University of Minnesota
• Selected to NCAA All-Tournament Team in both 2015 and 2016 as the Gophers reached the semifinals two years in a row

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION:

• 2019: FIVB Volleyball Nations League (Weeks 1, 2); Pan American Games (7th)
• 2018: FIVB Volleyball Nations League (Weeks 2-5); Pan American Cup (Gold); FIVB World Championship (5th Place)
• 2017: Pan American Cup (Gold); FIVB World Grand Prix

Did You Know:

• Majored in physiology at University of Minnesota
• Named 2016 Big Ten Player of the Year
• Selected to 2016 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
• Before earning the AVCA national player of the year honor, had never been an AVCA All-American
• Member of 2015 U.S. Collegiate National Team that toured China
• Played for Northern Lights Volleyball Club and helped the team win the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships 17 Open Division in 2012
• Was named 2011 and 2012 Gatorade Minnesota Player of the Year
• Tabbed Minnesota State High School All-State twice while playing for Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
• Parents are Mark and Amy Wilhite
• Sisters are Annie and Caroline, and brother is Samuel
• Married to Jameson Parsons

Interesting Facts About Sarah Wilhite Parsons: Has played with Hannah and Paige Tapp since we were juniors in high school. This is now year 8 (in 2018) of playing together, at all different levels: club indoor volleyball, college at the University of Minnesota, and now USA volleyball.

Sarah Wilhite's Favorites
Food: Pizza ... Book: All mystery/suspense books ... Music Type: country ... Musical Group: Rascal Flatts ... Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption ... Actor: Matt Damon ... Professional Team: Minnesota Vikings ... Athlete: Misty May-Treanor

Hobbies and Interests: Loves to hang out with friends, sing and dance in my free time.

Most Admired Person: Her dad because "I have looked up to him my whole life. He's a great leader and an even better person."

Happiest Moment in Life: When my now husband proposed in May 2017

Path to the Podium

• Began playing youth club volleyball in 2005 with Northern Lights
• Helped Northern Lights win the 2012 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships 17 Open Division title
• Named Gatorade Minnesota Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012 while playing at Eden Prairie High School
• Chosen to the 2015 U.S. Collegiate National Team that toured China
• Chosen 2016 AVCA Division I National Player of the Year as a senior at University of Minnesota
• Selected to NCAA All-Tournament Team in 2015 and 2016 as Minnesota reached the semifinals in consecutive years
• Made debut with U.S. Women’s National Team at 2017 Pan American Cup

Related Links

• espnW: Wilhite Named 2016 espnW Volleyball Player of the Year (Dec. 14, 2016)