Ashley Mariani, a former Hawkeye volleyball player, will head to the professional world. Mariani signed a contract to play professional volleyball for VfB Suhl LOTTO Thüringen, located in Suhl, Germany.

“I have decided to further my career as a volleyball player by going pro,” Mariani said in a release. “I am more than excited for these opportunities to go experience and submerge myself in new cultures.”

Mariani will join the team middle blocker in early September after she represents Team USA in the World University Games in Taipei, Taiwan, Aug. 18-30.

“We are so proud of Ashley’s transformation as an elite level middle hitter during her time as a Hawkeye,” head coach Bond Shymansky said in a release. “Her exposure on our team tour last spring opened her eyes to professional volleyball opportunities. We are at the forefront of a proud tradition of developing professional athletes here at Iowa, and I know that Ashley will have a big impact on her team this season.”