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March 27, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Volleyball is proud to announce the selection of 22 athletes to the U.S. Women's Senior A2 National Team program, according to USAV Managing Director of High Performance Indoor Programs Tom Pingel.  The University of San Diego's Jessica Nyrop highlights this list.

The 22 players, all with remaining collegiate eligibility, will be split into two 11-member squads during training sessions prior to competing in the USA Volleyball Adult Open Championships May 24-31 in Atlanta. The competition will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center Hall B. Additional information on the tournament can be found at http://www.usavolleyball.org/Adults/.  

"We are very pleased to able to field two teams of such a high caliber at the U.S. Open Championships," Pingel said. "We have expanded the A2 program from 20 to 22 players, and we feel this will be a workable number given the level of talent at the tryout. Not only is the USA Volleyball staff looking forward to seeing this up-and-coming group of athletes train and compete in Atlanta in May, judging by the feedback from the athletes, they are anxiously looking forward to it as well."

USA Volleyball held two tryouts at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to assist in the selection of the A2 Team. The first tryout session was an invitation-only event Jan. 7-11, while the second tryout was an open event held Feb. 22-24. Both tryouts doubled as evaluation periods for the A2 program as well as the U.S. Women's National Team which will compete at the Olympic Games. 

The 2008 U.S. Women's National A2 Team includes four setters, seven outside hitters, six middles, three opposites and two liberos. The players come from 14 different collegiate programs. Three players are repeat participants in the program from 2007: Sydney Anderson (Setter, Salt Lake City, Utah), Kylie Atherstone (Opposite, Chico, Calif.) and Jamie Houston (Outside Hitter, Huntsville, Ala.).

In addition, USA Volleyball has announced the coaching staff for the U.S. Women's National A2 Teams. University of Texas Head Coach Jerritt Elliott and Michigan State University Head Coach Cathy George will serve as head coaches for the program, while University of Virginia Assistant Coach Jill Pape-Kramer and Georgia Tech Assistant Coach Ben Bodipo-Memba will serve as assistant coaches.

2008 U.S. Women's National A2 Team Selections

Sarah Ammerman (Outside Hitter, Junior in 2008, Texas A&M University, Parker, Colo.)

Sydney Anderson (Setter, Sophomore in 2008, University of Nebraska, Salt Lake City, Utah)

Kylie Atherstone (Opposite, Senior in 2008, Cal Poly, Chico, Calif.)

Lori Baird (Middle Blocker, Senior in 2008, University of Utah, Murray, Utah)

Kelsey Bowers (Middle Blocker, Senior in 2008, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.)

Brittnee Cooper (Middle Blocker, Junior in 2008, Louisiana State University, Houston, Texas)

Zoe Garrett (Middle Blocker, Sophomore in 2008, University of Southern California, Laguna Beach, Calif.)

Ellen Herman (Outside Hitter, Junior in 2008, Ohio University, Toledo, Ohio)

Alli Hillgren (Libero, Junior in 2008, University of Southern California, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)

Jamie Houston (Outside Hitter, Senior in 2008, University of Hawai'i, Huntsville, Ala.)

Kristy Jaeckel (Outside Hitter, Redshirt Freshman in 2008, University of Florida, Littleton, Colo.)

Talisa Kellogg (Outside Hitter, Senior in 2008, Georgia Tech, Westerville, Ohio)

Carli Lloyd (Setter, Sophomore in 2008, University of California-Berkeley, Bonsall, Calif.)

Elena Martinez (Libero, Senior in 2008, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, La.)

Jessica Nyrop (Setter, Senior in 2008, University of San Diego, Harrison, Idaho)

Dominique Olowolafe (Middle Blocker, Sophomore in 2008, Cal Poly, Lansing, Mich.)

Callie Rivers (Outside Hitter, Sophomore in 2008, University of Florida, Winter Park, Fla.)

Kimmee Roleder (Outside Hitter, Sophomore in 2008, University of Southern California, Pasadena, Calif.)

Am'ra Solomon (Opposite, Junior in 2008, University of California-Berkeley, Los Angeles, Calif.)

Maria Taylor (Opposite, Senior in 2008, University of Georgia, Alpharetta, Ga.)

Nicole Vargas (Setter, Senior in 2008, Long Beach State University, Seal Beach, Calif.)

Lauren Williams (Middle Blocker, Sophomore in 2008, University of Southern California, Houston, Texas)

2008 U.S. Women's National A2 Team Coaching Staff

Head Coaches: Jerritt Elliott (University of Texas) and Cathy George (Michigan State University)

Assistant Coaches: Jill Pape-Kramer (University of Virginia) and Ben Bedipo-Memba (Georgia Tech)