AUBURN, Ala. – Rising junior Anna Stevenson and rising sophomore Bella Rosenthall of the Auburn volleyball team have been invited to participate in the annual U.S. Women's National Team Tryouts, March 1-3, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"The opportunity to represent your country is a great honor," head coach Rick Nold said. "We're excited for Anna and Bella to have a chance for that and to measure themselves up against the best in the country."
This year's tryout will feature 215 athletes from 88 colleges 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.
Stevenson, a 6-1 middle blocker, led the Tigers in 2018 with 91 blocks and a 1.15 blocks/set average. That average set an Auburn single-season record (rally-scoring only) and also finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference. She recorded back-to-back nine-block performances at the start of the conference season, setting a career high.
In addition, the Laurens, S.C., product finished fourth on the team with a 2.14 kills/set average, having 169 on the season. She recorded seven double-digit kill performances on the year and finished with a .269 hitting percentage.
For her efforts in 2018, Stevenson received recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and was placed on the All-South region team.
Rosenthall started 26 matches at libero for the Tigers, while playing in all 28 matches. The 5-5 defensive specialist led the team in digs with 339 and a 3.29 digs/set mark. She had 15 double-digit performances throughout the season, including a career-best 25 digs at Kennesaw State.
The Yorktown, Ind., product added three more 20-dig performances in 2018, including 22 in the five-set win over Ole Miss. In addition, Rosenthall totaled 65 assists and 16 aces on the year.