Indiana University Athletics
Edwards, Fitzner Blog About U.S. National Volleyball Team Tryouts
2/28/2020 10:22:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– Sophomore Breana Edwards and freshman Emily Fitzner traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 21-23, for the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
The Hoosiers were two of 214 student-athletes from 95 colleges participating in the tryout, vying for spots on the U.S. Women's National Team and the U.S. Collegiate National Team program.
Edwards and Fitzner wrote about their experiences at the tryout.
Breana Edwards | Sophomore Outside Hitter from Rainier, Ore.
This past weekend was such a unique experience for so many reasons. It gave me the opportunity to not only get to be surrounded and play with so many talented volleyball players but get to know them as people as well; especially more of the Big Ten girls. We were also playing at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs which is not something everyone gets the opportunity to do and seeing those facilities was so amazing.
Each session was an hour and 30 minutes, but they all flew by and felt like 30 minutes. It was definitely a different environment than the everyday practice, because there are numerous coaches standing in the gym or sitting at a table stating your skills and evaluating your overall game.
That final day of tryouts I was in the gym with the Olympic staff and that was such a unique opportunity that I never thought I would get to experience. I was able to find the mindset of forgetting that I was being evaluated and just play volleyball. That's not something that I would have been able to do a couple years ago but the coaching staff at Indiana University has helped me get to that point and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity that they gave Emily and I this past weekend.
Emily Fitzner | Freshman Setter from San Diego, Calif.
Attending the USA tryout over the weekend was a very good experience. I was able to bond with coaches, and players from all over the country through playing the sport I love. Before leaving for the tryout, IUVBs constant commitment helped me go into the weekend feeling confident. I was so excited to go to the Colorado Springs Olympic Training center alongside Breana and coach Krista Vansant!
As soon as we arrived, we went to our first session. Just being in that gym brought me so much pride to be a female athlete and be representing IU. We had one to two sessions a day that were led by USA coaches on six different courts. As a setter, we moved from court to court in order to work with different passers and hitters. It was chaotic and tense with all the coaches walking around but everyone embraced it!
Through the experience I learned a lot about myself and what it takes to compete with some of the best players in the nation. I was also able to meet a lot of girls I have played against in the Big Ten and club volleyball. Seeing them grow as players encourages me to be the best teammate I can be.
Edwards led the Hoosiers with 361 kills in the 2019 season and broke a 21-year old record for kills in a match with 39 against Maryland. Edwards tallied double-digit kills in 18 matches and led the Hoosiers in kills in 20 matches. Edwards led the Hoosiers with 20 kills and a season-high eight blocks in their win at No. 15 Kentucky.
Fitzner, a 2018 AVCA First Team Under Armour All-American, played in 33 matches for the Hoosiers in the 2019 season. Fitzner led the team with 738 assists and was second on the team in aces with 25. Fitzner recorded six double-doubles on the season and had a career-high 52 assists and 15 digs against Maryland. Fitzner tallied 36 assists and nine digs in the Hoosiers win at Rutgers. Fitzner ranked 13th in the Big Ten in assists and third among freshmen.
The Hoosiers were two of 214 student-athletes from 95 colleges participating in the tryout, vying for spots on the U.S. Women's National Team and the U.S. Collegiate National Team program.
Edwards and Fitzner wrote about their experiences at the tryout.
Breana Edwards | Sophomore Outside Hitter from Rainier, Ore.
This past weekend was such a unique experience for so many reasons. It gave me the opportunity to not only get to be surrounded and play with so many talented volleyball players but get to know them as people as well; especially more of the Big Ten girls. We were also playing at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs which is not something everyone gets the opportunity to do and seeing those facilities was so amazing.
Each session was an hour and 30 minutes, but they all flew by and felt like 30 minutes. It was definitely a different environment than the everyday practice, because there are numerous coaches standing in the gym or sitting at a table stating your skills and evaluating your overall game.
That final day of tryouts I was in the gym with the Olympic staff and that was such a unique opportunity that I never thought I would get to experience. I was able to find the mindset of forgetting that I was being evaluated and just play volleyball. That's not something that I would have been able to do a couple years ago but the coaching staff at Indiana University has helped me get to that point and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity that they gave Emily and I this past weekend.
Emily Fitzner | Freshman Setter from San Diego, Calif.
Attending the USA tryout over the weekend was a very good experience. I was able to bond with coaches, and players from all over the country through playing the sport I love. Before leaving for the tryout, IUVBs constant commitment helped me go into the weekend feeling confident. I was so excited to go to the Colorado Springs Olympic Training center alongside Breana and coach Krista Vansant!
As soon as we arrived, we went to our first session. Just being in that gym brought me so much pride to be a female athlete and be representing IU. We had one to two sessions a day that were led by USA coaches on six different courts. As a setter, we moved from court to court in order to work with different passers and hitters. It was chaotic and tense with all the coaches walking around but everyone embraced it!
Through the experience I learned a lot about myself and what it takes to compete with some of the best players in the nation. I was also able to meet a lot of girls I have played against in the Big Ten and club volleyball. Seeing them grow as players encourages me to be the best teammate I can be.
Edwards led the Hoosiers with 361 kills in the 2019 season and broke a 21-year old record for kills in a match with 39 against Maryland. Edwards tallied double-digit kills in 18 matches and led the Hoosiers in kills in 20 matches. Edwards led the Hoosiers with 20 kills and a season-high eight blocks in their win at No. 15 Kentucky.
Fitzner, a 2018 AVCA First Team Under Armour All-American, played in 33 matches for the Hoosiers in the 2019 season. Fitzner led the team with 738 assists and was second on the team in aces with 25. Fitzner recorded six double-doubles on the season and had a career-high 52 assists and 15 digs against Maryland. Fitzner tallied 36 assists and nine digs in the Hoosiers win at Rutgers. Fitzner ranked 13th in the Big Ten in assists and third among freshmen.
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
/ Women's Volleyball
Setter
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