On a windswept beach or under the pressure of international competition, Marilu Pally feels at home. The UC Berkeley Division I beach volleyball captain and French national team player embodies the best of both worlds — shaped by a French-American upbringing, elite athletic training on both sides of the Atlantic, and a deep belief in sport as a force for community. From Santa Cruz’s beach courts to France’s high-level volleyball training culture, Pally represents a new generation of athletes navigating global paths while staying grounded in purpose.
The Best of Both Worlds
Born into a French family in Santa Cruz, Marilu Pally grew up surrounded by volleyball. Her father played professionally in France, and her mother competed with the French junior national team while at the University of Grenoble — the sport even brought her parents together. From the start, volleyball was about connection as much as competition.
Growing up in Santa Cruz, Northern California’s beach volleyball hub, only deepened that bond. Courts dot the coastline, and the local beach volleyball scene is known for its openness and inclusivity. She trained at the Santa Cruz Beach Volleyball Club alongside friends who later competed at top collegiate programs like UCLA and USC, all shaped by the same close-knit beach community.
Pally likes to joke that her volleyball journey began in the womb — her mother was still playing while pregnant. By 12, she was already competing in tournaments.
What sets Pally apart, however, is her rare access to two distinct volleyball cultures. Through her French roots, she became immersed in France’s beach volleyball community, particularly through a club based in Île de Ré, on the Atlantic coast. The ties are deeply personal: her father once played with her current French coach, and her partner’s family runs the club. The environment is intensely community-oriented — and highly competitive. The club’s men’s team recently won the European title, cementing its status as one of the strongest in Europe.
Training on both sides of the Atlantic has given Pally a unique perspective on the sport. In France, she explains, the approach is highly technical. Every movement is dissected — even what happens when a player doesn’t have the ball. In the U.S., particularly at the collegiate level, the focus is more outcome-driven: finding the most effective way to win. Exposure to both philosophies has expanded her understanding of the game and sharpened her adaptability.
That contrast extends to physical preparation as well. At the national level in France, training can include oxygen-restricting masks, pool workouts involving hundreds of jumps, and preparation for wildly different international conditions. In the U.S., training is more focused on the Spring college season and familiar opponents. Together, the two systems have shaped her into a more complete and resilient athlete.
From Berkeley to the International Stage
She has represented France internationally, part of the pathway toward the senior national team. At the same time, she serves as captain of UC Berkeley’s Division I beach volleyball team — a leadership role earned through relentlessness, competitiveness, and a strong team spirit.
“I try to lead by example,” she says. “Being early, working hard even when it’s difficult, and being there for my teammates.” Known as someone teammates trust and confide in, Pally views leadership as creating an inclusive culture that encourages diligence.
Her decision to fully commit to beach volleyball came during the COVID pandemic. When lockdowns halted organized play, her family built a makeshift beach court in their backyard using bamboo sticks and string. Daily games became an escape and a revelation. Around the same time, Division I recruiting interest leaned more strongly toward beach volleyball than indoor. The choice became clear.
Last summer, Pally competed at the senior level on the Beach Pro Tour and French Beach Volleyball Tour, gaining valuable experience on the international stage. Facing new opponents from around the world, she had to compete with limited scouting information and no access to film. The constant change of tournament setting meant the conditions — from wind to extreme heat — required deliberate adaptability. The experience sharpened her confidence and reinforced her ability to problem-solve in real time.
Off the sand, Pally balances elite athletics with a demanding academic path as an applied mathematics major at UC Berkeley. Discipline and careful time management are essential, as is communication with professors. Taking community college courses during high school helped lighten her load — a strategic decision that reflects her pragmatic approach both on and off the court.
Leading with Purpose
Community engagement is another cornerstone of her identity. As head chair of community service for Cal’s beach volleyball team, she organizes volunteer work with organizations such as the Bay Area Rescue Mission. She also coaches with Starlings, an indoor volleyball program designed to be more financially accessible than most elite clubs.
“In the US, volleyball can be very expensive,” she notes. “I want to help make it accessible to all kids that share the passion and love for the sport.” For Pally, sports are a platform — one that can open doors, bring people together, and create opportunities.
As she prepares for her final season at Cal, optimism runs high. Despite losing several starters who graduated, she believes the team’s incoming talent and underdog mentality position them well. Their goal: a top-five national finish.
Looking beyond graduation, Pally envisions spending two to three years in France, training with the national team in preparation for her goal of qualifying for the Olympics while pursuing a master’s degree in finance at Grenoble Business School. She remains open to opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic — driven by a desire to continue competing at the highest level for as long as she can perform at her peak.
Her advice to young student-athletes aspiring to collegiate or international competition is simple, but hard-earned: be relentless, never stop practicing, push past comfort, and give your all every day, she says — it’s that constant commitment that ultimately makes you better.
For Marilu Pally, volleyball remains what it has always been — a bridge between cultures, a source of joy, and a lifelong community stretching from Santa Cruz beaches to the international stage.
MerciSF readers, come watch Marilu Pally and the Cal Bears compete in the Bay Area this spring:
- Feb 27-28: Battle of The Bay (vs. Sac St, UC Davis, USF, Pacific) at Cal
- Apr 3-4: vs UC Davis and San Jose State at Cal
- Apr 17-18: Stanford West Coast Classic, vs Pepperdine, Stanford, Cal Poly, San Jose State, at Stanford
Check out the full Cal Bears Beach VolleyBall schedule here
