DAVIS, Calif. — Choosing where to go to college is an important decision in every student's life.
 
For junior libero Shira Lahav, it was a hard one to make, but a choice that she would never look back on.
 
"I remember looking at the campus online and I was like, 'That's it. That's my place,'" Lahav said. "It just all fit in very, very well."
 
"I knew this was the best of the best that I could get."
 
Little did Lahav know at the time that becoming an Aggie would be the ultimate transformation for her as she now has become one of the key vocal leaders on the volleyball team.
 
Although Lahav was born in Los Angeles, Calif., she grew up most of her life in the agricultural area of Bat Hefer, Israel.
 
As the only athlete in her family, Lahav started playing volleyball at the age of 12. After trying many sports during her middle school days, Lahav finally found the one that resonated with her.
 
"I was looking for something unique and when volleyball came across, it just clicked," Lahav said.
 
Volleyball wasn't that widely played in Israel, but in her community, it was a popular sport. Lahav started to become more involved in watching the select professional Israeli volleyball players and was intrigued by their abilities.
 
At the age of 15, Lahav went to a sports academy for three years where the volleyball competition began to be more serious, which was a setback for Lahav.
 
"When I was first recruited to the sports academy, I was an outside hitter during my first year there and I just couldn't compete with those tall girls hitting," Lahav said. "I remember being so happy thriving in the back row, just giving me the opportunity of passing and digging."
 
Luckily, the change would spark an inspiring revolution for Lahav at the libero position, which is the defensive specialist who wears a different color then the rest of the team and is not allowed to rotate to the front line.
 
"I feel like most people, if you're an outsider hitter and they tell you to be a libero, they would be sad and upset, but I was the happiest person in that moment. I knew I had the advantage to be good at that position," Lahav said.
 
Soon after, Lahav began excelling in the back row, competing for three years in Israel's Second League, finishing second in 2015, and winning the title in 2016.
 
Lahav would then represent her country at the 2016 U20 European Championships as well as the 2019 European Championships.


 
"It's a really special experience, something that's hard to explain in words," Lahav said. "Wearing those jerseys with the flag and hearing your own national anthem, it's pretty cool. It's really exciting to be able to play and watch the top players in the world from your country. Not many people get to experience that, especially at a younger age, but it helped me a lot in the way I see volleyball."


 
Then came time for the U.S. college commitment process.
 
But before that, Lahav needed to learn an important tool – English.
 
Lahav spent a full year studying English through private lessons and tutoring. In order to get into college, Lahav also needed to pass an entrance exam.
 
In addition to those two preliminary things, Lahav didn't just want to go to college. She wanted to see the world in the best way possible.
 
With the help of Dan Aronovic, Lahav put together an email with a highlight clip of her work at the libero position.
 
"While I was studying English, I worked on making my own highlight clips," Lahav said. "It took me a month to put together. I sent it to over 400 coaches to see what's up and I got a bunch of responses."
 
One of the responses came from UC Davis and head coach Dan Conners, who at the time, was looking for a libero.
 
"We watched her highlight video and the effort she gave and the level she was playing at stood out to me," Conners said. "We asked for even more video and thought she would be a great asset for us."
 
Lahav talked with the coaching staff through a video call and Conners saw there was a level of competitiveness and maturity in her, which immediately could help the volleyball program.
 
After some thought and more discussion, Lahav virtually shook hands with Conners and the Aggie staff, initiating the 7,312-mile journey to Davis, Calif.
 
On Lahav's first arrival, it was a "cultural shock," but luckily her teammates and coaches were able to support her as an out-of-country freshman.
 
During her first season, Lahav appeared in all 30 matches, missing just two sets all year and leading the team with 31 service aces in the campaign. On top of that, Lahav collected 378 digs, which was the most by an Aggie freshman since Malia Bolko in 2015 (474).
 
After the 2020 season was canceled by The Big West due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lahav bounced back with an even stronger second year, leading the team with 436 digs and averaging 3.86 digs per set in 2021.
 
This season, Lahav paces the Aggies with 304 digs and is tied for the team lead in aces (23) with sophomore Megan Lenn.
 
It is clear to Conners that Lahav's evolution at libero came with her competitive spirit, which has fit into her role nicely.
 
"She's gotten more comfortable being here in the States," Conners said. "She's more comfortable in her role on the team. She came in very aggressive and wanting to do a lot in confidence, but sometimes that would push her outside of her role when trying to do a little bit too much. She's really settled into her role, trusting her teammates, and giving them confidence in their ability to do their jobs."
 
Not only is Lahav a great defensive wizard in the back row, but despite her improving English skills to this day, Lahav has taken a pivotal leadership role on the team as captain.
 
"She always wants what's best for the team and she'll vocalize what she thinks will be good for us," senior Josephine Ough said. "She puts everyone before herself. She's become an even bigger vocal leader and knows how to pump us up."
 
Conners echoes Ough's sentiment.
 
"She's got a really good pulse of the team and knows what the team's needs are," Conners added. I'm constantly checking in with her to see what her thoughts are on what we need to train and change and where are emphasis might need to be in coaching. It's nice to have a player's perspective on what they're seeing opposed to just the coaches' view."
 
Lahav has also been a mentor to sophomore Julia Ng as a defensive specialist tandem most times on the court. Ng has appreciated all the help Lahav has given her the last year and a half.
 
"She always has been super helpful to me, giving me tips," Ng said. "She's always trying to help me. I've also learned a lot from watching her play on the court."
 
When asked to describe Lahav in one word, coach Conners and Ng both gave similar answers.
 
"Passionate," Conners said. "When you're playing with Shira or talking with her about the game, you just get the feeling for how much she loves it and how much joy she gets from playing with her teammates. That passion really exudes in her communication and in her play."
 
"Driven," Ng said. "She's really driven about the things that she does well. She's one of the hardest working people I know. It's super great being around her because she pushes us to do our best and be the best version of you."
 
After graduation, Lahav hopes to stay involved with volleyball in some capacity.
 
"I don't think it's my time to leave just yet," Lahav said. "I'm still learning and still have so much to give."