March 1, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Rising senior Brenna McIlroy and early enrollee Mica Allison of the Auburn volleyball team have been invited to participate in the annual U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts, March 2-4, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"What an exciting opportunity for these two players to test themselves against some of the top competition in the country," head coach Rick Nold said. "We know they will represent Auburn well out in Colorado and we're excited for the possibilities that can arise from this weekend."
A total of 234 athletes from 89 colleges will be competing for spots on the U.S. National Team and with the U.S. Collegiate National team program. National team head coach Karch Kiraly and his staff will direct the weekend tryout.
McIlroy, a 5-11 outside hitter, will tryout as a part of the libero group this weekend. Aside from her strong presence at the net for the Tigers, the Garland, Texas, product has also been one of the team's leaders in the backrow. In 2017, McIlroy totaled 278 digs for a 2.73 average and led the squad in serve receptions.
"Brenna has established herself as one of the top six-rotation outside hitters in the conference and this brings a new challenge for her to prove herself against some of the top defensive specialists in college right now," Nold said.
In addition, McIlroy is on pace to become just the fifth Auburn student-athlete to record 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs while on the Plains.
This past season, McIlroy was honored by the Southeastern Conference as one of the league's SEC Players of the Week in October.
Allison, a 6-1 setter, joined the program as an early enrollee after an outstanding prep career. The 2017-18 Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year guided Saint Thomas More High School to its first-ever Illinois State Championship in 2017. She entered her senior campaign as the No. 7 overall recruit in the country on the PrepVolleyball Senior Aces list and spent last summer as a member of the 2017 USA Volleyball National Youth team.
"Mica earned a spot on the national youth team last year and will now be fighting for a spot on the USA Volleyball Junior National Team during this phase," Nold said. "Her talent as both a setter and hitter make her one of the most exciting players in the country right now."
In addition, the White Heath, Ill., product earned AVCA Under Armour All-America third team recognition in 2017 and finished her scholastic campaign as a four-time First Team All-Conference performer.
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