Official Release
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- A pair of Lady Toppers are set to compete at this weekend's U.S. Women's Volleyball National Team Open Tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The sophomore duo of Alyssa Cavanaugh and Jessica Lucas will be among the 231 athletes expected to compete for a spot on one of the U.S. Women's National Team Programs and Collegiate National Team Programs, both domestic and international.
Cavanaugh and Lucas finished 2015 by being named honorable mention AVCA All-Americans for the second consecutive season as the duo led WKU (32-4) to both a Conference USA regular season and tournament championship and the programs second-ever appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Both players are two-time All-Conference USA First Team selections while Lucas was named the conference's Setter of the Year and Conference Tournament MVP after leading C-USA and ranking 25th national with 11.18 assists per set. Lucas posted a team-high 14 double-doubles and had four, 50+ assist outings, including a career-high 56 against North Texas. Cavanaugh led WKU on the year with 3.28 kills per set and recorded double-digit kills in 10 of its 16 C-USA matches, including a season-high 19 against Rice.
If selected to the U.S. Collegiate National Team program there are three possible competition options including the China Tour in late June, The European Global Challenge in July or a tournament at the USA Girl' Junior National Championships in Indianapolis in June. All CNT programs are considered extended tryouts for the USA Women's National Team. Selections for the teams will be made by the end of March.
Cavanaugh and Lucas are looking to join a special group of Lady Topper greats who have been a part of USA Volleyball. In 2007, Megan Argabright (2005-08) was named to the USA Developmental team that travelled to Buenos Aires to compete against the Argentina National Team. Aquila Orr (2006-09) was a member of the USA Third Degree Team that traveled to Italy to compete during the summer of 2007. Ashley Potts (2010-13) was named an alternate for the USA Volleyball A2 National Team in 2013.
The national team open tryouts will be streamed online HERE. Fans can also follow along with the tryouts on social media HERE.
Streaming Schedule
Friday, Feb. 19: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday, Feb 20: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb 21: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
