ORLANDO, Fla. — Women's sports continue to rise with the creation of new professional sports leagues, including the Pro Volleyball Federation.

The PVF debuted this month and becomes the first professional volleyball league in North America.

It’s been a long time coming for athletes who have wanted to see the sport grow domestically, and one former UCF player didn’t have to look far for her professional opportunity.

Abby Hansen transferred to UCF after she finished her undergraduate degree at Oregon. She played the last two seasons with the Knights and didn’t have to go far when she turned pro.

Hansen will be a middle blocker for the newly formed Orlando Valkyries, and play at Addition Financial Arena.

“Having all the UCF fans and seeing how lively they can get in the past season ...  I was very aware of, you know, real pro volleyball," she said. "Being able to continue to get the word out, I think it’s going to look really good for us.”

She is still on double duty. Being part Valkyrie’s player and part UCF grad student finishing up her program, she went from being the oldest on one team to one of the younger players on the next.

“It’s another opportunity to absorb as much information,” said Hansen. “I think I like being the young one again and being able to have so many teammates from so many different backgrounds. All of that comes together, and it really forms a special bond we have right now between everyone.”

Women’s sports have been growing exponentially, with Hansen becoming part of history with the new league. After spending the last few years in Orlando, she feels like it’s a perfect fit.

“Orlando already has several other pro leagues. You know, you have the Orlando Magic, you have the pro soccer leagues here. And I think it’s just a nice addition," she said.

The debut of the Pro Volleyball Federation is something Hansen could have only dreamed of doing professionally when she was young. Now she’s seeing other young girls become inspired.

“I think it’s exciting. Even just, you know, talking to the 10-year-old girls that came out to our fan day, they were excited. For me to also be thinking about pro volleyball growing up and having it now here, it’s more than exciting,” she said. “And then to be able to share this memory with so many other people, so many other girls growing up playing volleyball right now, it’s just truly an honor.”