June 24, 2018
Photo courtesy of NORCECA
AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico -- Freshman setter Mica Allison and the U.S. Women's Junior National Team captured the NORCECA Continental Championship Saturday to qualify for the 2019 FIVB U20 World Championship.
The Americans finished the tournament undefeated and topped the Dominican Republic, 3-1 (25-20, 25-11, 25-20), to take home gold.
"What an honor it was to represent Team USA this past week," Allison said. "I have had the opportunity to play with a lot of these teammates for a couple years now and the strong bond we've built showed on the court. It has been a blessing to play with the best of the best in the nation and I'm looking forward to what's next."
"Representing your country is a tremendous honor and opportunity," Auburn head coach Rick Nold added. "I couldn't be more proud of how Mica helped lead this team to the championship."
Allison started at setter in all five matches for Team USA. She finished the week with nine service aces, including three against Puerto Rico (6/18) and again vs. Mexico (6/22). She added four blocks in the team's win against Mexico to reach the championship final.
Allison, a 6-1 setter from White Heath, Ill., joined the program as an early enrollee in the spring after an outstanding prep career.
"This experience has given me a more advanced level of play that should help me be better prepared for collegiate volleyball," Allison said. "We ran a fast offense and I'm excited to bring that to practice and help Auburn be successful this season."
The 2017-18 Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year entered her senior campaign at Saint Thomas More 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.
In addition, she 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.
2018 NORCEA Women's U20 Continental Championship Results
June 18: United States def. Puerto Rico (25-13, 25-9, 25-19)
June 19: United States def. Cuba (20-25, 25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 15-11)
June 20: United States def. Guatemala (25-13, 25-11, 25-7)
June 22: United States def. Mexico (25-20, 27-25, 25-27, 25-9)
June 23: United States def. Dominican Republic (25-20, 25-11, 25-20)
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