Volleyball: U.S. Women's Open Tryout

Of the record-high 243 athletes who signed up to participate in open tryouts for the U.S. Women’s National Team, U.S. Women’s National A2 Program and U.S. Women’s Junior National Team, four are University of Hawaii women's volleyball team members. Tai Manu-Olevao is one of 39 outside hitters trying out; Jade Vorster one of 57 middle blockers; Alyssa Longo one of 54 liberos; and Mita Uiato one of 48 setters. The tryouts will take place February 20-22 in Colorado. According to the USA Volleyball release:

Throughout the tryout process, USA Volleyball will be identifying prospective athletes for the following three different programs: first and foremost the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Program; those not selected to the National Team may also be considered for an invitation to the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Senior A2 Team; and/or U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team program and its various programs.

The entire tryout roster is here. Mita Uiato, by the way, is listed as Rainette, which I am guessing is her first name and that "Mita" is her middle name. Tai is listed as Shar Latai. Since we are on the subject of names, did you know that Kalei Adolpho's first name is Abbigale and that "Kalei" comes from her middle name Kaleikaumaka. (This information is listed in her basketball bio.)

I do not know why Emily Hartong decided not to tryout or Jane Croson, for that matter. Or any of the others, actually.

Changing gears, here is a cute picture of some of the players raising money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at a recent baseball game. It doesn't look like the women's volleyball team has a relay team, but the University of Hawaii women's basketball team does, if you are interested in making a donation (volleyball team member Kalei Adolpho is also on the basketball team, so there is your connection). Here is the link to donate.