University of North Texas Athletics
Valerian, Robinson invited to USA Volleyball tryouts
2/20/2020 11:31:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
DENTON – North Texas outside hitters Valerie Valerian and Rhett Robinson were invited to participate in the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from Feb. 21-23.
This is the second straight year that Valerian will make the trip to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center after earning a spot on the U.S. Collegiate National Team in 2019. Robinson, who recently wrapped up her sophomore season with the Mean Green, will be making her first appearance at the tryouts.
"I'm so excited for these two players to have this opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the NCAA," head coach Andrew Palileo said. "Val and Rhett will do great in that competitive environment, and I know they will represent North Texas very well."
This year's tryouts include 214 athletes from 94 different colleges that will participate in four training sessions throughout the weekend. Three-time Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Olympic Hall of Famer Karch Kiraly and the U.S. Women's National Team staff will lead the event.
The athletes will compete for a potential spot on the U.S. Women's National Team, as well as one of the 56 open spots on the U.S. Collegiate National Team programs.
Friday's first session will take place from 3-9 p.m. CT, while Saturday's two sessions are at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The final session on Sunday begins at 8:30 a.m. CT with tournament style play.
All tryout sessions aside from a USA training session on Sunday morning will be live streamed HERE. USA Volleyball will also go live on Facebook daily and display interviews/athlete interactions on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Both Valerian and Robinson were tabbed with first-team All-Conference USA honors last season. Valerian – who was also named to the 2019 AVCA All-Region honorable mention team – racked up team highs of 465 kills and 350 digs. Robinson finished 2019 with 264 kills despite missing a month with an injury.
Selections for the U.S. Collegiate National Teams will be made by the end of March.
For more information on the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts, click here.
This is the second straight year that Valerian will make the trip to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center after earning a spot on the U.S. Collegiate National Team in 2019. Robinson, who recently wrapped up her sophomore season with the Mean Green, will be making her first appearance at the tryouts.
"I'm so excited for these two players to have this opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the NCAA," head coach Andrew Palileo said. "Val and Rhett will do great in that competitive environment, and I know they will represent North Texas very well."
This year's tryouts include 214 athletes from 94 different colleges that will participate in four training sessions throughout the weekend. Three-time Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Olympic Hall of Famer Karch Kiraly and the U.S. Women's National Team staff will lead the event.
The athletes will compete for a potential spot on the U.S. Women's National Team, as well as one of the 56 open spots on the U.S. Collegiate National Team programs.
Friday's first session will take place from 3-9 p.m. CT, while Saturday's two sessions are at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The final session on Sunday begins at 8:30 a.m. CT with tournament style play.
All tryout sessions aside from a USA training session on Sunday morning will be live streamed HERE. USA Volleyball will also go live on Facebook daily and display interviews/athlete interactions on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Both Valerian and Robinson were tabbed with first-team All-Conference USA honors last season. Valerian – who was also named to the 2019 AVCA All-Region honorable mention team – racked up team highs of 465 kills and 350 digs. Robinson finished 2019 with 264 kills despite missing a month with an injury.
Selections for the U.S. Collegiate National Teams will be made by the end of March.
For more information on the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts, click here.
Players Mentioned
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