| Kyleen Bell |
ATLANTA — (May 25) Georgia Tech freshman Kyleen Bell, a middle blocker from Rocklin, Calif., is one of twenty volleyball players selected to train for the 1999 USA Junior National Team. Bell was chosen after participating in a tryout that featured more than 200 players.
“Ky’s selection is great for her as an individual player, but it is also a real positive for our Georgia Tech program,” said head coach Shelton Collier. “Having players selected to USA National Teams is an important part of a national calibre collegiate program.”
Bell, an Atlantic Coast Conference all-freshman selection, started 35 matches at middle blocker for the Yellow Jackets, which ended the 1998 season with a 22-13 record. She finished third on the team in kills (284), and ranked third in blocks per game (1.31), and ninth in hitting percentage (.281) in the ACC..
“I’m very excited,”said Bell. “The opportunity to compete at an international level, with the talent that will be at the camp is exciting, and should help improve my game. I’m also thrilled to be able to represent Georgia Tech, and also on a small scale, the United States.”
The team will train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., from July 10-Aug. 7. Twelve girls will then be chosen to compete in the FIVB Junior World Championships in Saskatoon and Edmonton, Canada, Aug. 28-Sept. 5.
Bell is the first player from Georgia Tech selected to the USA Junior National Training Team and is one of nine current college players chosen to the 20-person roster.
“Ky will play a major role this fall as a sophomore in our ACC Championship run,”said Collier. “This experience will help her game as well as her confidence.”
