The second-ranked United States Women’s National Team is beginning to take shape as training camp opened Monday. Several players are still making their way home from club duties overseas, but 16 players were available for the first practice session. The roster includes a plethora of newcomers hopeful to make the final roster in addition to a core of veterans from the 2016 Olympic bronze medal squad.
Returners currently in camp include 2016 Olympian and University of Florida alumna Kelly Murphy and Tori Dixon, who was on the 2016 NORCECA Qualification roster.
Outside hitter Kim Hill is still abroad, playing with her club team VakifBank Istanbul in the 2017 Club World Championships, which begin May 9 in Kobe, Japan. Middle blocker Rachael Adams and outside Jordan Larson will be with Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul at Worlds, while middle Foluke Akinradewo will be representing her Volero Zurich squad.
Several other veterans have recently wrapped up seasons abroad and will join the USA squad in the coming weeks. Outside hitter Kelsey Robinson and opposite Nicole Fawcett are still with their Italian club side Congeliano as Serie A play continues. Setter Carly Lloyd and middle Lauren Gibbemeyer also are in Italy competing in Serie A play with Pomi Casalmaggiore.
The women will play four red and blue scrimmage matches around California before hosting a friendly match with the Canadian National Team on June 13. The team will face off with Brazil in the 2017 USA Volleyball Cup, August 27-29 before heading on to the FIVB Grand Champions Cup in Japan in September.
On the men’s side, the World League Roster will be released later this week, while the USA men’s team camp starts on May 8.
The full Team USA women’s national team roster in camp in Anaheim as of May 1 is:
Player (Position, 2016-17 Pro Club, College, Hometown)
Inky Ajanaku (Middle, Rehabbing in USA, Stanford, Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Rhamat Alhassan (Middle, College Senior-to-Be, Florida, Glenarden, Maryland)
Amanda Benson (Libero, Final Season in College, Oregon, Litchfield Park, Arizona)
Danetta Boykin (Outside, None, Cal St.-Northridge, Los Angeles, California)
Madi Bugg (Setter, NUC (Switzerland), Stanford, Apex, North Carolina)
Megan Courtney (Outside, Wroclaw (Poland), Penn State, Dayton, Ohio)
Lexi Dannemiller * (Setter, Schweriner (Germany), Michigan, West Chester, Ohio)
Tori Dixon (Middle, Rehabbing in USA, Minnesota, Burnsville, Minnesota)
Morgan Heise (Libero, Final Season in College, SMU, Hempstead, Texas)
Madi Kingdon (Outside, IBK (Korea), Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona)
Micha Hancock (Setter, Wroclaw (Poland), Penn State, Edmond, Oklahoma)
Molly McCage (Middle, Wiesbaden (Germany), Texas, Spring, Texas)
Liz McMahon (Opposite, Dresden (Germany), Illinois, Liberty Township, Ohio)
Kelly Murphy (Opposite, Henan (China), Florida, Wilmington, Illinois)
Sonja Newcombe (Outside, Sichuan (China), Oregon, Lake Arrowhead, California)
Krystal Rivers (Opposite, Final Season in College, Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama)
Amber Rolfzen (Middle, Dresden (Germany), Nebraska, Papillion, Nebraska)
Kadie Rolfzen (Opposite, Dresden (Germany), Nebraska, Papillion, Nebraska)
* Note: Lexi Dannemiller’s first day of training will be May 4.
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