Feb. 25, 2011
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Georgia Tech junior Bailey Hunter and sophomore Monique Mead are participating in open tryouts for the U.S. Women’s National Team, U.S. Women’s National A2 Program and U.S. Women’s Junior National Team. The tryouts will take place today through Sunday at the Sports Center II at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Georgia Tech Assistant Coach Ed Tolentino is also a member of the staff helping out with the try-outs this weekend in Colorado Springs. Mead was one of 24 players selected by USA Volleyball to lead its U.S. Women’s National A2 Program for 2010. This is the first time Hunter has been involved with the try-out.
“I’m excited for Monique and Bailey to have this opportunity to try out for the National Team,” said Georgia Tech Head Coach Tonya Johnson. “Monique had a great experience last year making the USA A2 team and I’m sure she is excited for the opportunity to try-out again and demonstrate that she has improved from a year ago. This is Bailey’s first opportunity and I’m excited for her to be able to go and showcase her skills with some of the best players in the country.”
Among the 208 tryout participants representing 81 different colleges are 57 outside hitters, 52 middle blockers, 46 liberos, 27 setters and 26 opposites. A total of 65 athletes are also eligible to be evaluated as U.S. Women’s Junior National Team prospects.
The 2010 U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryouts attracted a then-record 174 participants.
The 2010 tryouts are open to current college-age athletes and older. The U.S. Women’s National Team program is open to athletes who have concluded their college eligibility and who wish to train full-time. This program could begin as early as March 2011, or when an athlete’s scholastic or professional club season has concluded. Athletes who will have remaining collegiate eligibility may still participate in the program with participation beginning May 2011 or when their scholastic calendar ends.
Athletes in college with collegiate eligibility remaining for the 2011 season and not selected to the USA Women’s National Team may be invited to participate in the U.S. Women’s National Senior A2 Team. This program is tentatively scheduled to take place in Dallas from May 23 through June 1. A projected 36 athletes will be invited to participate in the program, which will include training and competition in the 2010 USA Volleyball Open National Championships in the Open Division from May 28-31. USA Volleyball considers the event as the National Championship for the sport of volleyball in the United States.
