London, ON - This past summer, the Western Mustangs Women's Volleyball team travelled across Peru and Ecuador for an international training and cultural immersion trip that players are calling unforgettable, life changing, and beyond anything they expected. The journey combined competition, team bonding, outdoor exploration, and meaningful exchanges with volleyball communities across South America.
For the athletes, the trip was more than a preseason tune up. It was an opportunity to grow, connect, and experience the world with their closest friends.



For many players, including Sophie Jewell and Maddy Pelosi, the trip's greatest moments were spent outdoors in some of the most beautiful places on earth.
Jewell described the Ica Desert in Peru as surreal.

"The highlight of the trip for me was our day trip to the Ica region in Peru where we went sandboarding and dune buggying. Being in what felt like the middle of the desert was so surreal and I am so grateful I got to experience it with my teammates."

Pelosi called the Amazon Rainforest the most magical part of the entire journey.

"The highlight of the trip for me was definitely the time we spent in the Amazon Rainforest. It was the most surreal experience of my life to see so many animals in their natural habitat. We got to see different types of monkeys, birds, and even cayman. Waking up to the sound of the forest every day was unbelievable."

From towering sand dunes to winding brown Amazon rivers, the players experienced scenery that felt straight out of a movie.



Representing Western on the International Stage

Competing internationally created a sense of pride and responsibility for the Mustangs.

Jewell shared how meaningful it felt to wear purple abroad. "Representing Western internationally made me proud to be part of such an incredible program. It reminded me that what we are doing is so much bigger than ourselves and that everywhere we go we are representing our team, our school, and the Mustangs community."

Pelosi echoed that same appreciation for the volleyball culture they were welcomed into. "The atmosphere and passion for volleyball in both Peru and Ecuador was incredible. The community support and their eagerness to not only watch our matches but share their culture with us was something I will never forget."

Competing against unfamiliar playing styles also pushed the team to adapt quickly. "Playing internationally taught us about adaptability," Sophie said. "Competing against teams we were not familiar with forced us to adjust to what we are not used to."

Cultural Moments They Will Never Forget

During a game in Ecuador, the Mustangs were surprised with a halftime performance that became one of Pelosi's favorite memories.

"Some dancers came out in traditional outfits and performed the most incredible dance. Ecuador is very high up and we were struggling just to breathe on the court, but these dancers were out there twirling effortlessly. Then they pulled us into a huge dance circle. The love and warmth they showed us was unlike anything I have ever experienced," Pelosi shared.

Jewell also highlighted the team's cultural exchange with Molivoleibol in Peru as a night she will always remember. "The hospitality they showed us with traditional dances, amazing fans, and a local meal to end the night was absolutely unforgettable."

Best Moments and Funniest Memories

For incoming first year athletes and returning players alike, the trip became a refreshing and meaningful way to reconnect.

Pelosi said it felt like the perfect end to summer. "We spend so much time together during the school year and we are each other's best friends. It was great to see everyone off campus and get a break from school while prioritizing our relationships. We even met some first-year athletes for the first time on the plane. Sharing rooms with different people gave us so many great stories."

Jewell also emphasized how the experience strengthened their chemistry. "We learned so much more about each other, shared so many laughs, and built even stronger relationships which translates to great on court chemistry for our upcoming season."

Gratitude was a recurring theme for both athletes.

"I came away from that trip feeling very blessed and grateful." Pelosi said. "I do not think any other trip could top this one with the people I got to meet and the places I got to see. I am so fortunate that I was able to see South America with my best friends."

Experiences abroad also made the team appreciate their facilities at home.

"Sometimes we take for granted the court we play on," she continued. "Our first gym in Ecuador had loose wooden floorboards you could not dive on without cutting your legs and our second gym in Peru was mostly outdoors. At the end of the day the court does not matter, we still had great matches."

Jewell's funniest moment involved a not so nice surprise during one of their flights. "On one of our nine flights a cockroach was roaming the plane. It jumped onto my teammate Toni, and she jumped onto my lap screaming. I think we woke up the entire flight with how loud we were laughing."

And Pelosi's best moment came during a rainy afternoon kayak ride. "Just as we were headed back to shore after seeing nothing, a massive sea turtle swam a foot away from our kayak. I have never been so close to such a beautiful animal."

But Pelosi's funniest moment came during a night hike in the Amazon. "I wore a mesh bug sweater, and my guide told me it was unnecessary. On the canoe ride my teammate Kendra kept pulling it across my face and squishing my nose. Our coach Melissa Bartlett (Head Coach, Mustangs Women's Volleyball) took the best photo of it."

Both athletes agreed that the Amazon felt otherworldly and unforgettable. "Nothing will ever compare to La Selva Eco Lodge in the Amazon. It was unbelievable and I am already trying to convince my family to go there next. It was White Lotus vibes in the rainforest," Pelosi reflected.

What They Want Future Mustangs to Know

The message they want to share is unanimous.

"Say yes to everything,' Jewell encourages. Unique opportunities like this do not come up every day especially with your teammates."

And Maddy added "When will [we] ever get to go on a trip like this again? We fundraised most of our trip fees and were able to go on the trip of a lifetime. The memories and stories last forever. Take a chance, see a new part of the world, and explore another culture."



This incredible Mustangs South America journey brought the Western Mustangs Women's Volleyball team closer, strengthened their confidence for the season, and gave them memories that will stay with them forever.