June 5, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. – Freshman setter Mica Allison earned a spot on the U.S. Women's Junior National Team, USA Volleyball announced Tuesday.
"I am so excited for this opportunity to represent my country and compete with some of the best young players in the nation," Allison said. "The caliber of play should help me be better prepared for my first season at the collegiate level in the Southeastern Conference this fall."
Allison is one of 12 players that will represent the United States at the 2018 NORCECA Women's U20 Continental Championship, June 18-23, in Mexico.
"Representing your country is a tremendous honor and we couldn't be happier for Mica," Auburn head coach Rick Nold said. "What a great experience playing against the best junior players in the world. We can't wait to cheer USA on to victory!"
The U.S. Women's Junior National Team will train in Colorado Spring, Colo., June 8-15, before departing for Aguascalientes, Mexico. The team will compete in the 12-country NORCECA Championship where the winner automatically qualifies for the 2019 FIVB Women's U20 World Championship.
The team is part of Group A and will face Puerto Rico (June 18), Cuba (June 19) and Guatemala (June 20). Quarterfinals are set for June 21 with semifinals and finals following (June 22-23).
Allison, a 6-1 setter, joined the program as an early enrollee in the spring 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.
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.
2018 NORCEA Women's U20 Continental Championship Schedule (times are listed as PT)
Group A
June 18: Guatemala vs. Cuba, 2 p.m. PT
June 18: United States vs. Puerto Rico, 4 p.m. PT
June 19: Guatemala vs. Puerto Rico, 2 p.m. PT
June 19: United States vs. Cuba, 4 p.m. PT
June 20: United States vs. Guatemala, 2 p.m. PT
June 20: Puerto Rico vs. Cuba, 4 p.m. PT
Group B
June 18: Dominican Republic vs. Costa Rica, noon PT
June 18: Mexico vs. Honduras, 6 p.m. PT
June 19: Dominican Republic vs. Honduras, noon PT
June 19: Mexico vs. Costa Rica, 6 p.m. PT
June 20: Costa Rica vs. Honduras, noon PT
June 20: Dominican Republic vs. Mexico, 6 p.m. PT
Quarterfinals
June 21: Group A 2nd Place vs. Group B 3rd Place, 4 p.m. PT
June 22: Group B 2nd Place vs. Group A 3rd Place, 6 p.m. PT
Classification 5-8
June 22: Group A 4th Place vs. Quarterfinal Round Loser, noon PT (Match 13)
June 22: Group B 4th Place vs. Quarterfinal Round Loser, 2 p.m. PT (Match 14)
Semifinals
June 22: Group A 1st Place vs. Quarterfinal Winner, 4 p.m. PT
June 22: Group B 1st Place vs. Quarterfinal Winner, 6 p.m. PT
Final Classification 7-8
June 23: Losers of Match 13 and 14, noon PT
Final Classification 5-6
June 23: Winners of Match 13 and 14, 2 p.m.
Bronze Medal
June 23: Semifinal losers, 4 p.m. PT
Gold Medal
June 23: Semifinal winners, 6 p.m. PT
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