Lake Named to USA Volleyball Prelim Roster

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - BYU senior libero Mary Lake has been named one of 30 players on USA Volleyball's preliminary roster for the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, the premier annual international volleyball tournament.

Lake, an AVCA All-America Second Team selection last season, is a two-time West Coast Conference Defender of the Year and All-WCC First Team selection. Lake anchored the backline of a Cougar defense that finished No. 1 in the nation in opponent hitting percentage in 2018 on the way to BYU advancing to the NCAA Final Four.

"The opportunity Mary has to train with the highest level of athletes and coaches with the US National Team is incredible," BYU head coach Heather Olmstead said. "What she learns there will make her a better player and teammate."

The 30-player roster will be trimmed to 25 players by May 11. Each country can designate 14 players from the reduced 25-player roster to compete in each preliminary week and the Final Six. Rosters can change each week upon discretion of the coaching staff.

The VNL, a 16-country league for both genders, includes 15 pool play matches for each country spread over five consecutive weeks with four pods of four teams competing in round-robin action every week. Each of the 12 core countries hosts at least one round-robin pod. The top five teams from the preliminary round will compete in the VNL Final Six along with host China from July 3-7 with the winner receiving $1 million.

The U.S. Women hosts No. 9 Korea on June 4, No. 13 Germany on June 5 and No. 4 Brazil on June 6. All matches will be played at the 15,500-seat Pinnacle Bank Arena.

For USA Volleyball's complete release, including the entire preliminary roster and round robin schedule, click here.