When Paula Caten decided to come to the United States, to pursue an education and a volleyball career, she left behind more than the average student-athlete could imagine.

While the senior had typical demands of practice, a social life and finals, Caten had an added emotional weight to deal with — a young child who lived on a continent away.

Caten became pregnant at 18, in the midst of her last year of high school in Canarana, Brazil. As one of the top players in her country, Caten had dreams of a professional volleyball career. Against the wishes of her coach, those dreams were put aside temporarily for the birth of her child.

Paula Caten, Canarana, Brazil, senior, smiles with her daughter Paola, 4. Paola lives in Brazil with her grandmother while Caten, a starting outside hitter for the KU volleyball team, finishes school.

“He thought I had a lot of potential, so he said I should have an abortion,” Caten said. “That didn’t even come to my mind. I was going to have the baby.”

Caten’s parents advised her to have the child. Caten gave birth to a daughter, Paola, in May of 2001. It was the beginning of a difficult journey emotionally for Caten, but she knew her family was there for support.

She returned to school, and to volleyball, to finish her high school career after a long layoff. Her skills on the court had not abandoned her, and she earned an opportunity to work toward her future in the United States. For Caten, the decision to leave her daughter behind was a difficult one.

“I decided that I could not give up the opportunity to come to America,” she said. “It was my dream.”

Caten left home in 2002 for Barton County Community College in Great Bend. She would earn All-American honors while leading the Cougars to the 2003 NJCAA championship. She said she was happy with her situation, but being seperated from the most important person in her life was a heavy burden to bear.

“At first I would cry a lot,” Caten said. “I was so worried about her.”

Caten’s daughter, now 4, lived with her father, and Caten often found it difficult to contact her. She became concerned and frustrated with the situation and eventually decided she had to do something about it.

“I told him that I was taking her home,” Caten said. “I said, ‘You have no choice.’”

Caten said she had her daughter live in Brazil with her mother, Maria from then on. Caten said it was then that she really began to feel like a mother herself.

Caten transferred to Kansas after finishing her two years at Barton County. She was recruited by schools such as Penn State and Minnesota. Soon after arriving in Lawrence in 2004, Caten emerged as a solid contributor while starting at outside hitter.

The volleyball team’s trip to Brazil this summer was a welcome opportunity for Caten to see her daughter. It had been six months between visits.

“I felt kind of bad because I wasn’t with my teammates very much, but I think they probably understood,” Caten said.

Caten spent enough time with the team for her daughter to take a special liking to sophomore Emily Brown. Brown said she and Caten’s daughter were inseparable.

Brown said she gained a new level of respect for Caten after seeing her with her child.

“Leaving to come here to try to provide a better life for her daughter is just amazing,” Brown said. “There is no way I could do that. I just respect her so much.”

Coach Ray Bechard said he has never had a player that was more focused on her academic goals than Caten, a business major. He said she knew the importance of getting a degree to support her daughter.

“She has her head on straight,” Bechard said. “She is more determined than anyone we’ve ever seen here academically.”

When she graduates next May, Caten said she will plan to live with her daughter. She said she did not know where her professional path would take her, but it would be in the best interest for her child.

“I could spend more time with her when volleyball is done,” Caten said. “I want her to learn English. That is very important.”