Robins-Hardy to compete for Team USA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – BYU women's volleyball setter Alohi Robins-Hardy has been selected to compete as part of the U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team Europe Tour (CNT-Europe), USA Volleyball announced Monday.

"We're thrilled for Alohi to have the opportunity to play with the U.S. Collegiate Women's National Team over the summer and represent the USA," BYU head coach Heather Olmstead said. "Competing with some of the top talent from around the country will help her continue to grow as an experienced setter. That, in turn, will help her improve and prepare for the upcoming BYU season."

The CNT-Europe squad, one of three teams within the U.S. Collegiate National Team program, will compete in the 13th Annual European Global Challenge July 11-14 in Pula, Croatia, after training and friendly matches in Europe. Prior to the Global Challenge, the CNT-Europe squad will tentatively train in Maribor, Slovenia, with friendly matches versus various National Teams. Robins-Hardy is one of just 11 players selected for the CNT-Europe squad.

Middles selected to the elite CNT-Europe squad are Corissa Crocker (University of Michigan; Brighton, Michigan), Claire Kiefer-Wright (University of Michigan; South Pasadena, California) and Jenna Rosenthal (Marquette University; Fond du Lac, Wisconsin). The outside hitters name to the roster are Courtney Schwan (University of Washington; Auburn, Washington), Carlyle Nusbaum (Lipscomb University; Overland Park, Kansas) and Jaali Winters (Creighton University; Ankeny, Iowa).

The two opposites selected to the CNT-Europe Tour are Kelsie Payne (University of Kansas; Austin, Texas) and Taylor Mims (Washington State University; Billings, Montana). The setters are Kristen Gengenbacher (University of San Diego; Quincy, Illinois) and Alohi Robins-Hardy (Brigham Young University; Waimanalo, Hawaii). The libero will be Brittany Witt (Creighton University; Omaha, Nebraska).

University of Cincinnati Head Coach Molly Alvey will serve as the CNT-Europe head coach. She will be assisted by North Carolina State University Assistant Coach Nicki Holmes.

The CNT-Europe roster includes four players with experience within the U.S. Collegiate National Team program. Rosenthal and Schwan were members of the 2016 CNT-China Tour roster, while Gengenbacher and Winters were part of the 2016 CNT-Indianapolis program. Further, Payne was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team last summer competing in the Pan American Cup. The 12th player on the CNT-Europe roster will be announced in May.

Athletes were selected through the U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryouts held March 3-5 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Name (Position, School, Height, College Eligibility Remaining, Hometown)

Corissa Crocker (M, University of Michigan, 6-3, 3, Brighton, Michigan)

Kristen Gengenbacher (S, University of San Diego, 5-9, 1, Quincy, Illinois)

Claire Kiefer-Wright (M, University of Michigan, 6-1, 1, South Pasadena, California)

Taylor Mims (OPP, Washington State University, 6-3, 2, Billings, Montana)

Carlyle Nusbaum (OH, Lipscomb University, 5-10, 2, Overland Park, Kansas)

Kelsie Payne (OPP, University of Kansas, 6-3, 1, Austin, Texas)

Alohi Robins-Hardy (S, Brigham Young University, 6-2, 1, Waimanalo, Hawaii)

Jenna Rosenthal (M, Marquette University, 6-6, 2, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)

Courtney Schwan (OH, University of Washington, 6-1, 1, Auburn, Washington)

Jaali Winters (OH, Creighton University, 6-2, 2, Ankeny, Iowa)

Brittany Witt (L, Creighton University, 5-8, 3, Omaha, Nebraska)

Head Coach: Molly Alvey (head coach at University of Cincinnati)

Assistant Coach: Nicki Holmes (assistant coach at North Carolina State University)