Audrey Cantrell

Volleyball

‘Where Are They Now Wednesday’ – Audrey Cantrell

Our student-athletes are what make Georgia State so special. Our 'Where Are They Now Wednesday' segments feature former student-athletes from across all of our sports and not only look back on their accomplishments, but where they are now.

When Audrey Cantrell, now Audrey Altoonian, finished her brilliant career at Georgia State as the all-time leader in digs per set and second in all-time in total digs, she had set a new standard for the program as a libero and what hard work and dedication to her sport meant. She was also the first person to help a teammate or someone else, which led her to being honored as a Peach of an Athlete for her accomplishments on and off the court. It is no surprise than that all these years later, she is still helping others in the career she pursued.

Talk a little bit about what you have been up to the last 10-plus years since finishing up at Georgia State (work, sports, family)
After finishing my collegiate volleyball career and graduating from State in December 2010, I actually stayed in Atlanta for a few years prior to returning home to Texas. I was working, having a blast in Atlanta and continuing to play my fair share of volleyball. When I decided I had taken advantage of all the things Atlanta had to offer, I decided it was time to make my way back to the great state of Texas to pursue my goal of becoming a physical therapist. While applying to graduate school I met my future husband to be, Derek. Little did we know I would spend my next three years at Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz. After that long, hard stretch of graduate studies, countless hikes, the meeting of several lifelong friends, I received my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in June 2018. Again, I moved home to Dallas after graduation and began working as a physical therapist in the inpatient rehab setting, which is where I have remained. I'm currently working at Baylor Institute for Rehab in Dallas, Texas where I have the privilege of working with a plethora of patient populations including neurologic, cardiac, orthopedic and medically complex. In this time Derek and I got married in September 2019, and started our family with the addition of three pups named Gus, Scarlett and Dusty (mini–Aussie Shepherds). We then decided three pups just wasn't enough craziness (haha) and grew our family with an actual human. We welcomed little man Jackson into the world May 18, 2021, and we could not be happier!

How did your experience at GSU help you get to where you are now?
My time at GSU taught me a lot of life lessons that have helped shape me and get me to where I am at today. Being a college athlete was very demanding and at times exhausting. I know it improved my teamwork, leadership and time management skills, among other traits, that I use in both my personal and professional life every day.

All these years after graduation, do you find yourself still competing on the court?
Just after graduating I was playing quite a bit. I was mostly playing grass tournaments around Atlanta but made my way to Florida several times for the annual Fudpucker's beach tournaments and started coaching club volleyball as well.  I also had the opportunity to play and win two USAV Open Adult National Championships with Team Wasabi as their Libero. 

Your name still liters the record book, especially in the digs category for both season and career records. Do you still take some pride in those numbers and your accomplishments at GSU?
I am thrilled that my name still stands on the leader boards! Those accomplishments were hard earned but accomplished because I had amazing support from my teammates, coaches, trainers, advisors and GSU support staff (big shout out to Mike Holmes). But you know what they say, "records are made to be broken."  I am eager for the next libero or defensive specialist to take the title! 

The teams you were on seemed like a very close bunch. How much do you stay in touch with some of those former teammates?
I have stayed in touch with several of my teammates from various classes over the years.  After I moved back to Dallas, one of my teammates at GSU became my roommate for a couple of amazingly fun years, two were in my wedding and I still visit one in Canada every chance I get! 

If there is one thing you could go back and tell the college version of yourself, what would it be?
If I could go back and talk to the college version of me, I would tell her to lighten up, have fun and don't sweat the small stuff! Hard work pays off, but you must know when to put it aside for a minute and enjoy what you have right in front of you.  I truly enjoyed my days at Georgia State and am still so thankful for the opportunities and experiences I had there. GSU and the city of Atlanta continues to hold some of the fondest memories one could ever hope for!
 
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