Though Crockett is only 5'9" (1.75 m), she was able to dunk a basketball on a 10' rim. This exceptional vertical jump gave her a competitive advantage against taller players on the volleyball court, and it was why she was given the nickname "The Rocket".[4]
Crockett played college volleyball with the Houston Cougars, and was an AIAW All-American in 1977.[3]
Crockett was inducted into the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor in 2008.[5]
Club volleyball
Internationally, Crockett played in Japan, Switzerland, and Italy over 16 years.[3] She was a teammate of fellow Olympian Flo Hyman with Daiei in the Japanese V.League,[6] and led her team to a championship title in 1986.[3] In 1991, she was MVP of the Italian Women's Volleyball League with Matera, and helped Rome win the European Club Championship in 1993.[3]
Beach volleyball
Between 1989 and 1994, Crockett played professional beach volleyball, winning $90,000 in prizes.[7] In 1989, she won the World Beach Volleyball Championship of the Women's Professional Volleyball Association with Jackie Silva as her partner.[7] She was selected as the AVP Sportswoman of the Year in 1993 and 1994.[7]
Coaching
Crockett was the executive director, president, and head coach of the North Florida Volleyball Association, and is now the head coach of indoor and beach volleyball at Florida International University.[1][8]
Crockett is known professionally by her married name, Rita Buck-Crockett.[1][8]
Awards
AIAW All-American — 1977
FIVB World Championship bronze medal — 1982
Pan American Games silver medal — 1983
Olympic silver medal — 1984
Japan V.League Champion — 1986
World Beach Volleyball Champion — 1989
Italian Women's Volleyball League MVP — 1991
European Club Champion — 1993
Two-time AVP Sportswoman of the Year — 1993, 1994
University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor — 2008
International Volleyball Hall of Fame — 2011
References
^ abc"Rita Crockett". Olympedia. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.