Volleyball Sends Three to USA National Team Tryouts
February 26, 2017 | Women's Volleyball
Bennett, Green and Sauer head to Colorado Springs
Jasmine Bennett, Amanda Green, Molly Sauer are three of 245 athletes expected to converge on Colorado Springs with hopes of earning a spot in one of the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Programs from March 3-5, 2017.
Athletes who have come out of the tryout include Kim Hill, the 2014 FIVB World Championship Most Valuable Player. Athletes will be bidding for spots not only in the Women's National Team gym, but also positions on the U.S. Collegiate National Team Programs, both domestic and international.
The tryout will evaluate 245 athletes from 82 colleges and 10 high schools from across the country for spots on the U.S. Women's National Team and the U.S. Collegiate National Team program. Further, select athletes born in 1998 or 1999 are also competing for spots on the 2017 U.S. Women's Junior National Team.
The breakdown for the tryout includes 63 middles, 58 outside hitters, 56 liberos, 40 setters and 28 opposites.
A vast majority of the current U.S. Women's National Team athletes have participated in past open tryouts. As an example, Kim Hill (Portland, Oregon), an alum of Pepperdine University, took part in the 2013 open tryout, was asked to train with the team in May 2013, started much of the 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix and by 2014 earned the most valuable player award at the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship in which Team USA won for the first time. Hill would go on to help Team USA win bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games.
U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly will direct the entire tryout process.
The tryout will involve four sessions with three waves per session. Friday's first session goes from 2-8 p.m. MT, while Saturday's sessions are at 8 a.m. (focus on serve/receive and individual work) and 2 p.m. (middle-centered and out-of-system focus). The final session on Sunday begins at 7:30 a.m. MT with tournament style play, along with 16-18 athletes selected by the U.S. Women's National Team staff to participate in a "USA" training session. The Sunday session wraps up at 10:30 a.m. MT.Â
Much of the tryouts will be live streamed at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/USA-Teams/Indoor-Volleyball/Women/National-Team-Tryouts
U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryout Participants
Liberos (56)
Anderson, Lauren (Lipscomb University, Libero)
Avila, Katherine (Ball State University, Libero)
Bates, Kelli (University of Wisconsin, Libero)
Beckley, Sophie (University of Minnesota, Libero)
Benson, Amanda (University of Oregon, Libero)
Blanco, Lauren (Youngstown State University, Libero)
Boswell, Julia (Air Force, Libero)
Butters, Emily (Missouri State University, Libero)
Clark, Tiffany (University of Michigan, Libero)
Cox, Jamye (Michigan State University, Libero)
Curry, Gabby (University of Kentucky, Libero)
Dirige, Alexis (Washington State University, Libero)
Dixon, Brianne (Missouri State University, Libero)
Dodge, Mary (University of Wisconsin, Libero)
Donnelly, Brandi (University of Illinois, Libero)
Dusek, Ashley (University of Kentucky, Libero)
Earl, Jesse (Auburn University, Libero)
Elattrache, Nicole (Duke University, Libero)
Ellis, Kayla (Oregon State University, Libero)
Ezell, Aubrey (University of South Carolina, Libero)
Fraase, Alivia (University of North Dakota, Libero)
Garda, Madeline (Bowling Green State University, Libero)
Garrick, Victoria (University of Southern California, Libero)
Goehner, Alyssa (University of Minnesota, Libero)
Hahn, Claire (University of Texas, Libero)
Halm, Camry (The Ohio State University, Libero)
Harward, Hailey (Long Beach State University, Libero)
Hellman, Sarah (Air Force, Libero)
Hillegas, Hali (Iowa State University, Libero)
Kahakai, Savanah (University of Hawaii, Libero)
Laker, Mary (Brigham Young University, Libero)
Lawmaster, Lindsey (Long Beach State University, Libero)
LeGrand, Raegan (University of Southern California, Libero)
Lishman, Dallas (Pepperdine University, Libero)
Litzau, Lauren (University of Minnesota, Libero)
Martin, Makenna (University of Arizona, Libero)
Mattison, Lauren (University of South Dakota, Libero)
McCoy, Catherine (University of Texas, Libero)
McDonald, Maeve (Miami University (OH), Libero)
Morton, Katarina (Kennesaw State University, Libero)
Nelson, Alyssa (Cabrillo College, Libero)
Olsen, Annika (University of Iowa, Libero)
Payne, Kori (Brunswick high school, Libero)
Pence, Courtney (Illinois State University, Libero)
Peters, Brooke (Purdue University, Libero)
Rounsaville, autumn (University of Texas, Libero)
Sauer, Molly (University of Louisville, Libero)
Seman, Angela (University of Pittsburgh, Libero)
Snuka, Penina (University of Arizona, Libero)
Sponcil, Sarah (Loyola Marymount University, Libero)
Swanson, Kate (Yale University, Libero)
Thomas, Brittany (Lipscomb University, Libero)
Tillis, Regina (Louisiana State University, Libero)
Wicinski, Kelsey (University of Maryland, Libero)
Witt, Brittany (Creighton University, Libero)
Worley, Samantha (Iolani School, Libero)
Middles (63)
Abu, Naghede (University of Colorado, Middle)
Agbaji, Orie (University of Texas, Middle)
Anderson, Rachel (Western Kentucky University, Middle)
Bass, Majesti (University of Georgia, Middle)
Bastianelli, Alison (University of Illinois, Middle)
Bennett, Jasmine (University of Louisville, Middle)
Brown, Kazmiere (University of Kentucky, Middle)
Buford, Kayla (University of Minnesota, Middle)
Butler, Brionne (University of Texas, Middle)
Condon, Samantha (Oakland University, Middle)
Crocker, Corissa (University of Michigan, Middle)
Dahlberg, Elizabeth (Westmont College, Middle)
Davis, Krysteena (Oakland University, Middle)
Dooley, Faith (University of North Dakota, Middle)
Edwards, Kaity (University of San Diego, Middle)
Fields, Maclaine (Harvard University, Middle)
Forbes, Jennifer (Marymount University, Middle)
Fricano, Taylor (University of North Carolina, Middle)
Fry, Samantha (University of Notre Dame, Middle)
Garvelink, Alyssa (Michigan State University, Middle)
Gates, Madeleine (UCLA, Middle)
Gross, Jasmine (Pepperdine University, Middle)
Haneline, Kayla (University of Northern Iowa, Middle)
Harris, Deja (San Diego State University, Middle)
Heineck, Piper (Air Force, Middle)
Hillyer, Kirstie (Colorado State Volleyball, Middle)
Jackson, Tiana (Florida State University, Middle)
Janota, Jessica (University of Iowa, Middle)
Johnson, Morgan (University of Texas, Middle)
Kearney, Kaitlyn (North Carolina State University, Middle)
Keene, Jaelyn (Illinois State University, Middle)
Kiefer-Wright, Claire (University of Michigan, Middle)
King, Darrielle (University of Florida, Middle)
Kramer, Rachael (University of Florida, Middle)
Langs, Sarah (Texas Christian University, Middle)
Legros, Annayka (Coastal Carolina University, Middle)
Line, Alison (Illinois State University, Middle)
Lofton, Deyshia (Indiana University, Middle)
Lohman, Molly (University of Minnesota, Middle)
Martin, Claire (Washington State University, Middle)
McKenzie, Loren (American University, Middle)
Mims, Taylor (Washington State University, Middle)
Mohler, Blake (Purdue University, Middle)
Murray, Ashley (Long Beach State University, Middle)
Murray, Hailey (University of Maryland, Middle)
Murtagh, Madison (University of Southern California, Middle)
O'Neill, Kelsey (University of Pittsburgh, Middle)
Ogbogu, Chiaka (University of Texas, Middle)
Picha, Addison (University of San Diego, Middle)
Pittman, Regan (University of Minnesota, Middle)
Reid, Abigail (Florida Atlantic University, Middle)
Rosenthal, Jenna (Marquette University, Middle)
Sandbothe, Elle (Kansas State University, Middle)
Stone, Ronika (University of Oregon, Middle)
Stutz, Meredith (Miami University (OH), Middle)
Vail, Jordan (University of North Dakota, Middle)
Varcolla, Sarah (Youngstown State University, Middle)
Walsh, Anna (Texas Christian University, Middle)
Wilhite, Brennan (Cathedral Catholic High School, Middle)
Williams, Deja (Peachtree Ridge High School, Middle)
Witherspoon, Amber (Syracuse University, Middle)
Wright, Lynsey (Missouri State University, Middle)
Wylie, Tarah (Pepperdine University, Middle)
Opposites (28)
Abbott, Symone (Northwestern University, Opposite)
Asdell, Elizabeth (Indiana University, Opposite)
Atkinson, Sherridan (Purdue University, Opposite)
Beal, Madeline (University of Minnesota, Opposite)
Bedart-Ghani, Yaasmeen (University of Texas, Opposite)
Coyle, Reghan (University of Iowa, Opposite)
Fanning, Shelly (Baylor University, Opposite)
Gaskin, Angel (University of Maryland, Opposite)
Goodsel, Brooklyn (Ball State University, Opposite)
Green, Amanda (University of Louisville, Opposite)
Hanna, Jasmine (Colorado State University, Opposite)
Hegarty, Katherine (SMU, Opposite)
Joachim, Taylor (University of Colorado, Opposite)
Laufenberg, Madison (University of North Carolina, Opposite)
Little, Baylee (San Diego State University, Opposite)
Mahlke, Katherine (University of Michigan, Opposite)
Miksch, Abigail (Air Force, Opposite)
Nwanebu, Ebony (University of Texas, Opposite)
Payne, Kelsie (University of Kansas, Opposite)
Pennington, Elizabeth (Air Force, Opposite)
Principato, Kayla (University of Denver, Opposite)
Rapacz, Izabella (Temple University, Opposite)
Schoenlein, Casey (Washington State University, Opposite)
Swartz, Lauren (Michigan State University, Opposite)
Thompson, Jordan (University of Cincinnati, Opposite)
Toliver, Holly (Michigan State University, Opposite)
Varga, Alexis (Illinois State University, Opposite)
Wilkinson, Marysa (Creighton University, Opposite)
Outside Hitters (58)
Ardila, Athena (Weston High School, Outside Hitter)
Badowski, Ally (Indiana University, Outside Hitter)
Bailey, Brooke (The Ohio State University, Outside Hitter)
Bandel, Darien (Oakland University, Outside Hitter)
Bell, Mariah (University of Pittsburgh, Outside Hitter)
Bittinger, Kelsey (Kent State University, Outside Hitter)
Borup, Taylor (University of North Carolina, Outside Hitter)
Boyer, Anaiah (Kennesaw State University, Outside Hitter)
Boyle, Shannon (Sacramento State, Outside Hitter)
Brown, Julia (North Carolina State Volleyball, Outside Hitter)
Burse, Jada (University of Kansas, Outside Hitter)
Carlson, Brynn (Cretin-Derham Hall HS, Outside Hitter)
Cavanaugh, Alyssa (Western Kentucky University, Outside Hitter)
Cobb, Ytae (Pensacola State College, Outside Hitter)
Dailey, Catherine (Yale University, Outside Hitter)
Edmond, Leah (University of Kentucky, Outside Hitter)
Fuller, Lauren (University of San Diego, Outside Hitter)
Granato, McKenna (University of Hawai'i, Outside Hitter)
Hammons, Paige (Sacred Heart Academy, Outside Hitter)
Hardeman, Leah (Coastal Carolina University, Outside Hitter)
Hart, Alexis (University of Minnesota, Outside Hitter)
Hill, Emily (Mississippi State University, Outside Hitter)
Johnson, Lily (Missouri State University, Outside Hitter)
Jones-Perry, Veronica (Brigham young university, Outside Hitter)
Kloth, Taryn (Creighton University, Outside Hitter)
Kranda, Brooke (Michigan State University, Outside Hitter)
Lanier, Khalia (University of Southern California, Outside Hitter)
Loschen, Elizabeth (University of South Dakota, Outside Hitter)
Marshall, Mary-Kate (Oregon State University, Outside Hitter)
Martin, Jasmyn (University of Minnesota, Outside Hitter)
May, MacKenzie (Wahlert Catholic High School, Outside Hitter)
McLean, Brittany (University of Minnesota, Outside Hitter)
Miller, McKenna (Brigham Young university, Outside Hitter)
Nobley, Sierra (Boise State University, Outside Hitter)
Nusbaum, Carlyle (Lipscomb University, Outside Hitter)
Plock, Emily (Southeast Polk High School, Outside Hitter)
Reuter, Kasey (University of Iowa, Outside Hitter)
Rigdon, Madison (University of Kansas, Outside Hitter)
Rusek, Olivia (Miami University (OH), Outside Hitter)
Scambray, Tia (University of Washington, Outside Hitter)
Schultejans, Alyssa (Kansas State University, Outside Hitter)
Schwan, Courtney (University of Washington, Outside Hitter)
Scoles, Julia (University of North Carolina, Outside Hitter)
Shebby, Frankie (University of Colorado, Outside Hitter)
Shields, Mikayla (University of South Carolina, Outside Hitter)
Smith, Alexa (University of Colorado, Outside Hitter)
Sokolowski, Mia (University of Florida, Outside Hitter)
Spann, Justine (University of Colorado, Outside Hitter)
Ssozi, Denise (Air Force, Outside Hitter)
Stahl, Azariah (Purdue University, Outside Hitter)
Sun, Lexi (Santa Fe Christian, Outside Hitter)
Tekavec, Kristi (Florida Atlantic University, Outside Hitter)
Wettersrom, Sydney (University of Michigan, Outside Hitter)
White, Micaya (University of Texas, Outside Hitter)
Williams, Stephanie (University of Pittsburgh, Outside Hitter)
Winters, Jaali (Creighton University, Outside Hitter)
Withers, Nikia (University of Southern California, Outside Hitter)
Woodford, McKenna (Washington State University, Outside Hitter)
Setters (40)
Akeo, Lynzi (University of Pittsburgh, Setter)
Arnautou, Frances (Yale University, Setter)
Botkin, Brooke (University of Southern California, Setter)
Brisack, Victoria (Indiana University, Setter)
Burkert, Brianne (Florida State University, Setter)
Carlton, Holly (University of North Carolina, Setter)
Dailey, Olivia (University of Kentucky, Setter)
Dixon, Sarah (Kansas State University, Setter)
Donovan, Mary (University of Georgia, Setter)
Evans, Ashley (Purdue University, Setter)
Filley, Alexa (Auburn University, Setter)
Gengenbacher, Kristen (University of San Diego, Setter)
Griffin, Sydney (University of North Dakota, Setter)
Harris, Monique (Iowa State University, Setter)
Havili, Ainise (University of Kansas, Setter)
Hughes, Taylor (The Ohio State University, Setter)
Huskey, Cheyenne (University of Florida, Setter)
Iosia, Norene (University of Hawaii, Setter)
Iruegas, Marlena (Concordia University at Texas, Setter)
Jessen, Brittany (University of South Dakota, Setter)
Kurtz, Kennedy (Sacramento State, Setter)
Leonard, Nicole (University of Southern California, Setter)
Lilley, Madison (Blue Valley West High School, Setter)
McDaniel, Madison (Rice University, Setter)
Miller, Kylie (UCLA, Setter)
Nelson, Taylor (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Setter)
Orr, Gabrielle (University of Iowa, Setter)
Owens, Melissa (Texas Tech University, Setter)
Pickrell, Kylie (North Carolina State University, Setter)
Piedimonte, Kristina (Kennesaw State University, Setter)
Porter, Rebecca (North Carolina State University, Setter)
Raskie, August (University of Oregon, Setter)
Robins-Hardy, Taira (Brigham Young University, Setter)
Sato, Blossom (Mississippi State University, Setter)
Seaman, Amber (Ball State University, Setter)
Seliger-Swenson, Samantha (University of Minnesota, Setter)
Smith, Taylor (University of Maryland, Setter)
Tashima, Taylor (Northwestern University, Setter)
Weatherless, Jordan (Illinois State University, Setter)
Welsh, MacKenzi (University of Michigan, Setter)
