University of North Texas Athletics
Valerian Selected To Collegiate National Team
4/1/2019 2:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
She is the first player in program history to compete for the U.S. Collegiate National Team and the only player to represent Conference USA on the 28-player roster.Â
"This opportunity means so much to me to be able to represent my country, my college and my hometown," Valerian said. "The amount of support has been unreal, and I am so blessed to be able to play the sport I love for the people I love."
Valerian traveled to Colorado Springs in late March to tryout. She competed in three sessions monitored by three-time Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Olympic Hall of Famer Karch Kiraly who lead the processes. Valerian will now travel to Anaheim to train with the national team.Â
"I am so excited for Val," North Texas head coach Andrew Palilelo said. "I have seen her grow as a person and a player for the last two years. This opportunity does not surprise me. She will do a great job training with some of the best players in the country to prepare for the 2019 season. Our program and university is proud of her and I know she will continue to represent the Mean Green in a proper way."
The CNT-Anaheim coaches include Dan Fisher (University of Pittsburgh), Travis Hudson (Western Kentucky), Kirsten Bernthal-Booth (Creighton) and Melissa Wolter (West Florida). Technical coordinators for the team are Taylor Filzen (University of Dayton) and Jess Aschenbrenner (University of Denver). Rod Wilde will serve as the mentor coach, while Jeff Wanderer was selected team manager.
"CNT-Anaheim team is wonderful opportunity for these athletes," Fisher said. "For many of them it will be their first time representing the USA, getting a first look at international volleyball. Additionally, it will coincide with other national team training blocks in Anaheim giving both players and coaches a great chance to learn from the best. I am really looking forward to this training block and working again with Team USA."
Valerian was a C-USA first-team selection in 2018, and lead the Mean Green in kills with 495.Â
"I never thought I would be representing my country playing volleyball," Valerian said. "The sport has always been a passion of mine ever since I was young. It has truly shaped me into the person I am today. Now I feel so grateful to be able to play for something so much greater, and to continue to learn and grow from the sport I love."
