Murray Selected to Participate in B1G Foreign Tour
5/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Middle blocker Hailey Murray was chosen to participate in the first-ever Big Ten volleyball foreign tour, as announced by the conference Tuesday.
Big Ten volleyball student-athletes from all 14 schools will travel overseas to take part in a foreign tour to feature not just competition on the court, but also community service initiatives and the opportunity to experience new cultures in some of the world's greatest cities. The Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour team will travel to Slovenia, Croatia and Italy from June 13-25.
“I am so excited for the tour this summer,” said Murray. “I'm looking forward to competing alongside my fellow student-athletes, representing Maryland in Europe and learning about other countries and cultures. I'm so grateful for the opportunity Coach Aird, our staff and the Big Ten are providing me.”
The first stop for the Big Ten Foreign Tour Team is Maribor, Slovenia, where matches with four national teams will take place. The squad will then travel to several cities in Croatia to play in two contests versus the Istrian Select team. The final leg of the tour will be in Italy, where the team will play the Italian National Team on June 23 and 24.
In addition to competition on the court, the 14 student-athletes will have the opportunity to partake in community service initiatives, study foreign languages with local students and visit some of Europe's most historic cities, including Ljubljana in Slovenia, Istra, Pula, Rovinj and Porec in Croatia, and Padova and Venice in Italy.
“Hailey is a fantastic young talent,” said head coach Steve Aird. “This is the perfect opportunity for her to gain experience against some great competition. I know she will represent the Big Ten and Maryland very well. I hope she has a wonderful time and enjoys the tour.”
Northwestern's Keylor Chan will serve as the head coach of the Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour Team. Indiana's Paul Koncir and Rutgers Phuong Louong will travel as assistant coaches, while Michigan State athletic trainer Lianna Hadden will also accompany the team.
2015 Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour Team
Jocelynn Birks, Illinois, Outside Hitter, Sr.
Megan Tallman, Indiana, Setter, Jr.
Jess Janota, Iowa, Middle Blocker, So.
Hailey Murray, Maryland, Middle Blocker, So.
Adeja Lambert, Michigan, Outside Hitter, So.
Halle Peterson, Michigan State, Setter, Sr.
Alyssa Goehner, Minnesota, Outside Hitter, So.
Justine Wong-Orantes, Nebraska, Libero, Sr.
Maddie Slater, Northwestern, Middle Blocker, Jr.
Taylor Sandbothe, Ohio State, Middle Blocker, Jr.
Aiyana Whitney, Penn State, Outside Hitter, Sr.
Annie Drews, Purdue, Outside Hitter, Sr.
Meme Fletcher, Rutgers, Outside Hitter, So.
Kelli Bates, Wisconsin, Outside Hitter, So.
Head Coach: Keylor Chan, Northwestern
Assistant Coaches: Paul Koncir, Indiana; Phuong Louong, Rutgers
Athletic Trainer: Lianna Hadden, Michigan State
-Maryland-
