Shock and grief have shrouded the Stanford campus since school officials announced on Monday that sophomore Samantha Wopat passed away. She was just 19.
Wopat, who excelled in sports and was one of the nation’s best volleyball players during her high school years, was hospitalized on March 17th for what officials would only call “a medical emergency“. She died in the intensive care unit of Stanford Hospital on Sunday. The cause of her death has not been disclosed. The official statement read:
“On behalf of all of us at USA Volleyball, we are terribly saddened by the tragic and sudden passing of Samantha Wopat. Sam played on the 2009 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team at the FIVB World Championship and the 2010 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team at the NORCECA Continental Championship. Samantha was a bright and vibrant participant in the USA Volleyball Indoor High Performance Program with a seemingly unlimited and bright future. We cannot begin to imagine the sense of loss to the family, and we offer our thoughts and prayers to them and our most sincere condolences.” – Doug Beal, Chief Executive Officer of USA Volleyball
The young athlete was a three-time junior Olympic competitor and joined Stanford’s volleyball team in 2010 with her twin sister, Carly.
As with the death of any young person, the news of the loss has touched many who didn’t even know her. Twitter reacted immediately.
Rest in peace Sam Wopat.
Still inshock about the passing of Sam Wopat. I cant even imagine what the Stanford Volleyball program is going through, praying for you all
Prayers go out to family and friends of Sam Wopat and the Stanford volleyball team… Sad news to hear
#RIP Sam Wopat. You were an amazing volleyball player & taken way too soon. Prayers & condolences to the Wopat family ?