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clayton usa

Clayton Added to US Women’s Collegiate National Team

May 23, 2019 | Volleyball

COLORADO SPRINGS – The University of Colorado women's volleyball team's newest addition, outside hitter Leah Clayton, has been added to the 2019 USAVB Collegiate National Team Anaheim Roster.
 
"It means a lot to make this team," said Clayton. "It means a lot just because of how much I've worked and just to know it is such a great opportunity to play at such a high level and have different coaches and different experiences. It's going to be a lot of fun and I'm going to learn a lot from it. It is convenient that I am able to play in China and in California since I won't be playing in the season. It is nice to have that much playing time during games to get before having all fall off of games."
 
Clayton will join teammate Rachel Whipple on the 28-player team that will train June 23-29 in Anaheim, with a Red-Blue scrimmage scheduled for June 28th.
 
"It's awesome and it will be a great tool for me to use during conference play," said Clayton about playing in California with Pac-12 individuals. "It will help to understand how some of the other Pac-12 girls play but also just learn from them. I want to learn as much as I can from this process since I have such a long time off."
 
This will be Clayton's first action on the west coach as a Buffalo. She joins a number of Pac-12 individuals on the team that include Preslie Anderson of Cal, Samantha Drechsel of Washington, Lauren Forte of Cal, Jasmine Gross of USC, Bailee Huizenga of Cal, Ella Powell of Washington, Lauren Sanders of Washington and Emma Smith of Cal.
 
"I could not be happier for Leah," said head coach Jesse Mahoney. "She epitomizes hard work and determination and it's gratifying to see those traits rewarded with this opportunity. I know she will make the most of it."
 
Colorado has had a rich tradition lately of sending athletes to the US Women's Collegiate National Team. In 2016 Gabby Simpson and Alexa Smith were named to teams. Taylor Simpson made the USA National Team that same year while Cierra Simpson and Taylor Joachim rounded out four women that made the Collegiate National team that season. Others to make teams recently include Alexis Austin and Nicole Edelman.
 
The team will be coached by Pittsburgh's coach Dan Fish, Western Kentucky's Travis Hudson, Creigton's Kirsten Bernthal Booth and West Florida's Melissa Wolter.
 
USA Volleyball announced two other Collegiate National Teams earlier this year, totaling to 52 athletes named to the teams. All student-athletes' actions will be considered second tryouts for the US Women's National Teams by NCAA rules.