Kathryn Plummer has been part of both USA Volleyball’s indoor and beach High Performance pipeline. She is the only player in the world to medal in age-group FIVB World Championship events in indoor and beach volleyball.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 14, 2016) – The NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship semifinals, which are set for Thursday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. ET, will showcase some of the best collegiate players from across the country and many have roots within USA Volleyball’s High Performance pipeline.
A total of 29 players competing in the NCAA semifinals have participated in at least one HP pipeline program. University of Minnesota leads the way with 10 Gophers having taken part in HP programming – including seven in the U.S. Collegiate National Team program within the last two years.
University of Nebraska and Stanford University have seven each who have been part of the HP pipeline. University of Texas has five Longhorns who have been in the elite program.
Cardinal Kathryn Plummer has experience in both the indoor and beach High Performance as she won the 2015 FIVB Women’s U17 Beach World Championship as well as silver at the 2015 FIVB Women’s U18 World Championship for indoor volleyball. She is the only age-group player to win World Championship medals in both indoor and beach volleyball. Husker Justine Wong-Orantes’ High Performance pipeline experience was on the beach where she was youngest known player to earn her AAA rating at age 12.
The NCAA semifinals has Minnesota opening against Stanford in the first semifinal at 7 p.m. ET. Former Big 12 rivals Nebraska and Texas will clash at 9:30 p.m. ET in the second semifinal. Both semifinals will be broadcast live on ESPN, a late switch from the original ESPN2 channel. The championship match is set Saturday at 9 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN2.
Tryouts for 2017 USA Volleyball High Performance programs begin Feb. 17. .
Minnesota Athletes in USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline
Kayla Buford (So., MB) – 2016 CNT – Indianapolis
Alyssa Goehner (Jr., OH) – 2016 CNT – Europe Tour
Erica Handley (Sr., S) – 2016 CNT – Indianapolis
Alexis Hart (Fr., OH) – 2015 GYNT Training Team
Molly Lohman (Jr., MB) – 2016 CNT – Europe Tour; 2015 CNT – China Tour
Regan Pittman (Fr., MB) – 2015 GYNT FIVB World Championship Team (silver medal)
Samantha Seliger-Swenson (So., S) – 2013 GYNT Training Team
Hannah Tapp (Sr., MB) – 2015 CNT China Tour; 2014 CNT – China Tour
Paige Tapp (Sr., MB) – 2014 CNT – Minneapolis
Sarah Wilhite (Sr., OH) – 2015 CNT – China Tour
Nebraska Athletes in USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline
Mikaela Foecke (So., OH) – 2014 WJNT NORCECA Team; 2013 GYNT FIVB World Championship Team (silver medal)
Kelly Hunter (Jr., S) – 2012 WJNT NORCECA Team (bronze medal)
Andie Malloy (Sr., OH) – 2013 WJNT FIVB World Championship Team (17th Place); 2011 GYNT FIVB World Championship Team (9th place); 2010 GYNT NORCECA Team (gold medal)
Kenzie Maloney (So., DS/L) – 2013 GYNT FIVB World Championship Team (Silver)
Amber Rolfzen (Sr., MB) – 2013 WJNT FIVB World Championship Team (17th Place); 2012 WJNT NORCECA Team (bronze medal); 2011 GYNT FIVB World Championship Team (9th place)
Kadie Rolfzen (Sr., OH) – 2012 WJNT NORCECA Team (bronze medal)
Justine Wong-Orantes (Sr., L) – 2012 FIVB Beach Youth World Championship (9th place); 2011 FIVB Beach Youth World Championship (9th place)
Stanford Athletes in USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline
Inky Ajanaku (Sr., MB) – 2015 U.S. Women’s National Team Pan Am Cup (gold)
Morgan Hentz (Fr., L) – 2015 GYNT FIVB World Championship (silver medal)
Hayley Hodson (So., OH – inactive) – 2015 WJNT European Challenge (gold medal); 2015 U.S. National Team Pan Am Cup Team (gold medal); 2014 U.S. National Team FIVB World Championship Qualifier Team (gold); 2014 WJNT NORCECA Team (gold medal); 2013 GYNT FIVB World Championship (silver medal); 2013 FIVB U23 World Championship Team (4th place); 2012 GYNT NORCECA Team (gold medal)
Audriana Fitzmorris (Fr., MB) – 2016 CNT – China Tour; 2015 – WJNT European Challenge (gold medal); 2014 NORCECA Team (gold medal); 2013 GYNT FIVB World Championship Team (silver medal); 2012 GYNT NORCECA Team (gold medal)
Kelsey Humphreys (Sr., S) – 2013 WJNT FIVB World Championship Team (17th place); 2012 WJNT NORCECA Team (bronze medal)
Merete Lutz (Jr.-R, OPP) – 2013 WJNT FIVB World Championship Team (17th place); 2012 – WJNT NORCECA Team (bronze medal)
Kathryn Plummer (Fr., OH) – 2015 GYNT FIVB World Championship (silver medal); 2014 GYNT NORCECA Team (silver medal)
Texas Athletes in USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline
Orie Agbaji (Fr., MB) – 2015 WJNT European Challenge (gold medal); 2014 WJNT Training Team
Chloe Collins (Sr., S) – 2011 GYNT Training Team
Nicole Dalton (Sr., S) – 2011 GYNT FIVB World Championship Team (9th place)
Cat McCoy (Jr., L) – 2014 WJNT NORCECA Team (gold medal); 2013 GYNT Training Team
Ebony Nwanebu (Jr., OH) – 2014 U.S. National Team at Montreux Volley Masters Tournament
Key: GYNT = U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team; WJNT = U.S. Women’s Junior National Team; CNT = U.S. Collegiate National Team