Five Iowa Players To Try Out For U.S. National Team

Five University of Iowa volleyball players — Annika Olsen, Kasey Reuter, Reghan Coyle, Jess Janota, and Gabrielle Orr — will travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the U.S. National Team Open Tryouts March 3-5. This is the first time Coyle, Janota, and Orr will make the trip to the U.S. Olympic Training Center, while Olsen and Reuter tried out last spring.

“This is a great opportunity and challenge for these players,” said UI head coach Bond Shymansky. “Competing and training at the highest level is part of our team mission. The unique experience of being at the Olympic Village and learning from our USA Volleyball coaches will enhance their development as Hawkeyes. It will also open their eyes and minds to possibilities that exist beyond graduation.”

Olsen appeared in all 32 matches as Iowa’s libero during the 2016 season. The junior, an Atlanta native, led the team with 445 digs and racked up her 1,000th career dig in the season finale against Michigan State.

Reuter hails from Sioux City, Iowa.  Last season, the redshirt sophomore played in 18 matches and tallied 70 kills over 35 sets.

Coyle, voted the Most Improved Player by her teammates, appeared in all 32 matches and registered 239 kills. Following performances against Northwestern and Illinois, the Council Bluffs, Iowa, native earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors – the program’s first Player of the Week honor since 2012.

Janota competed in all 32 matches in 2016. The Concord, Ohio, native collected 260 kills and a .344 attack percentage. Janota also led the team with 82 blocks.

Orr joined the Hawkeyes in January. The Eagan, Minnesota, native played volleyball at Eagan High School under head coach Kathy Gillen where she amassed 1,174 kills, 1,813 assists, 1,029 digs, 155 blocks and 108 service aces over her career.

The tryouts include approximately 240 athletes competing for positions on the U.S. Collegiate National Team Programs, both domestic and international.

Each athletes will be assigned to one session on March 3. The sessions are at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. (CT). For more information and to follow along as the four Hawkeyes compete, visit teamusa.org.

News courtesy of Iowa Athletics.