A star volleyball player at Stanford University died eight days after suffering from what has only been described as a ‘medical emergency’.
Samantha ‘Sam’ Wopat was rushed to hospital from her campus residence on St Patrick’s Day and remained in intensive-care until her death on Sunday.
The 19-year-old sophomore student-athlete had joined the Stanford team along with her twin sister Carly in 2010.
She died surrounded by family, friends and teammates.
Stanford women’s coach John Dunning, said in a TV interview: ‘I can’t imagine what they’re (the Wopat family) is going through. Her sister has been amazingly strong.’
The sudden death – the cause of which has not been disclosed – shook and stunned the Stanford campus.
‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sam Wopat,’ athletic director Bob Bowlsby told the San Francisco Chronicle.
She was an integral member of the Stanford athletics family and a tremendous student and athlete.
‘Stanford University and the women’s volleyball program have lost a wonderful young woman.’
The 6ft 1in beautywas a member of Junior Olympic teams in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
In 2009, she competed in the World Youth Championships as a member of the U.S. team.
And in 2010 she was a member of the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team.
An outside hitter, Miss Wopat was once ranked as one of the nation’s top players in PrepVolleyball’s Senior Aces rankings.
At Dos Pueblos High School in Santa Barbara County she helped power the school’s girls volleyball team to a CIF championship.
She also played for the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club, which won the 2010 Southern California Junior National Qualifier.
Ms Wopat appeared in 25 sets as a sophomore and averaged 1.16 kills per set.
As well as her sister, she is survived by her parents, Ron and Kathy Wopat of Santa Barbara, and younger brothers Jackson and Eli.
The university will release information about a memorial to celebrate Miss Wopat’s life.