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Bajema, Niece, And Cook Tabbed For World University Games
March 13, 2019 | Volleyball
SEATTLE – Huskies Kara Bajema and Avie Niece will be prepping for their senior seasons this summer by heading overseas sporting the red, white, and blue of Team USA. The two were named today to the U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team that will compete in the 2019 World University Games, and Washington Head Coach Keegan Cook will serve as head coach for the squad.
Bajema and Niece are two of twelve players chosen for the U.S. squad which will head to Naples, Italy for the World University Games with the volleyball competition taking place from July 4-13.
Coach Cook says this year's World University Games roster provides ample flexibility to compete on the international scene.
"The impression this roster gives is one of depth, diversity and flexibility," Cook said. "There is a mix of ages, international experiences, and several of the athletes have succeeded at multiple positions in their careers. I'm looking forward to helping them represent USA."
Athletes were selected through the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held March 1-3 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Bajema led the Huskies in kills last season and was named an AVCA Third Team All-American and an All-Pac-12 selection. She ranked sixth in the Pac-12 with 3.86 kills per set and was second on the team with 2.71 digs per set.
On Tuesday it was announced that Niece would take part in a spring training block for the U.S. Women's National Team held March 16-23 in Anaheim, Calif. Last year Niece led the Huskies in blocks with 1.15 per set and she hit a career-high .313 for the season while averaging a career-best 1.41 kills per set.
This will be the third USA Women's National Team for which Cook has served as head coach. He previously led the U.S. Junior Women's National Team to victory at the 2018 NORCECA Championships in Mexico and led the 2016 U.S. Collegiate Women's National Team on its China tour.
2019 U.S. Collegiate Women's National Team - World University Games
Name (Position, School, Height, College Eligibility Remaining, Hometown, Youth Club)
Kara Bajema (OH, Washington, 6-2, 1, Lynden, Washington, Washington Volleyball Academy)
Lauren Barnes (L, Minnesota, 5-6, 2, Naperville, Illinois, 1st Alliance Volleyball Club)
Diana Brown (S, Illinois, 6-0, 4, Columbus, Ohio, Mintonette Sports)
Kylie DeBerg (OH, Missouri, 6-4, 2, Hudson, Iowa, Club Iowa)
Kennedy Eschenberg (MB, BYU, 6-5, 2, Bountiful, Utah, Club V)
Tori Dilfer (S, Louisville, 5-10, 2, San Jose, California, Encore)
Audriana Fitzmorris (OPP, Stanford, 6-6, 1, Overland Park, Kansas, Invasion)
Madeleine Gates (MB, UCLA, 6-3, 1, San Diego, California, Coast Volleyball)
Meghan McClure (OH, Stanford, 6-0, 2, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Laguna Beach VBC)
Avie Niece (MB, Washington, 6-0, 1, Bellevue, Washington, Sudden Impact VBC)
Adanna Rollins (OH, Minnesota, 6-0, 3, Carrollton, Texas, Texas Advantage)
Stephanie Samedy (OPP, Minnesota, 6-2, 2, Clermont, Florida, Top Select Volleyball Academy)
Head Coach: Keegan Cook (University of Washington)
Assistant Coach: Beth Launiere (University of Utah)
Bajema and Niece are two of twelve players chosen for the U.S. squad which will head to Naples, Italy for the World University Games with the volleyball competition taking place from July 4-13.
Coach Cook says this year's World University Games roster provides ample flexibility to compete on the international scene.
"The impression this roster gives is one of depth, diversity and flexibility," Cook said. "There is a mix of ages, international experiences, and several of the athletes have succeeded at multiple positions in their careers. I'm looking forward to helping them represent USA."
Athletes were selected through the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held March 1-3 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Bajema led the Huskies in kills last season and was named an AVCA Third Team All-American and an All-Pac-12 selection. She ranked sixth in the Pac-12 with 3.86 kills per set and was second on the team with 2.71 digs per set.
On Tuesday it was announced that Niece would take part in a spring training block for the U.S. Women's National Team held March 16-23 in Anaheim, Calif. Last year Niece led the Huskies in blocks with 1.15 per set and she hit a career-high .313 for the season while averaging a career-best 1.41 kills per set.
This will be the third USA Women's National Team for which Cook has served as head coach. He previously led the U.S. Junior Women's National Team to victory at the 2018 NORCECA Championships in Mexico and led the 2016 U.S. Collegiate Women's National Team on its China tour.
Congrats to the 1??2?? selected to the U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team - World University Games roster!
— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) March 13, 2019
Full Roster and Details! ?? https://t.co/RRbYGSifxY pic.twitter.com/EfkwMvfVdz
2019 U.S. Collegiate Women's National Team - World University Games
Name (Position, School, Height, College Eligibility Remaining, Hometown, Youth Club)
Kara Bajema (OH, Washington, 6-2, 1, Lynden, Washington, Washington Volleyball Academy)
Lauren Barnes (L, Minnesota, 5-6, 2, Naperville, Illinois, 1st Alliance Volleyball Club)
Diana Brown (S, Illinois, 6-0, 4, Columbus, Ohio, Mintonette Sports)
Kylie DeBerg (OH, Missouri, 6-4, 2, Hudson, Iowa, Club Iowa)
Kennedy Eschenberg (MB, BYU, 6-5, 2, Bountiful, Utah, Club V)
Tori Dilfer (S, Louisville, 5-10, 2, San Jose, California, Encore)
Audriana Fitzmorris (OPP, Stanford, 6-6, 1, Overland Park, Kansas, Invasion)
Madeleine Gates (MB, UCLA, 6-3, 1, San Diego, California, Coast Volleyball)
Meghan McClure (OH, Stanford, 6-0, 2, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Laguna Beach VBC)
Avie Niece (MB, Washington, 6-0, 1, Bellevue, Washington, Sudden Impact VBC)
Adanna Rollins (OH, Minnesota, 6-0, 3, Carrollton, Texas, Texas Advantage)
Stephanie Samedy (OPP, Minnesota, 6-2, 2, Clermont, Florida, Top Select Volleyball Academy)
Head Coach: Keegan Cook (University of Washington)
Assistant Coach: Beth Launiere (University of Utah)
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
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