University of Minnesota Athletics
Dixon, Tapp, Wilhite Named to USA's VNL Roster
5/13/2021 5:08:00 PM | Volleyball
Three former University of Minnesota volleyball players have landed a spot on the United States Women's National Team and play in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL). Tori Dixon, Hannah Tapp and Sarah (Wilhite) Parsons will represent Team USA, May 25-June 24 in Rimini, Italy.
The U.S. Women are the two-time and only defending champions of the VNL, which began in 2018. The 2020 edition of the VNL was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As in past VNL editions, 16 women's teams will compete against each other in three-day round-robin segments during the five-week preliminary round May 25-June 20.
Unlike the past, only the top four teams will advance to the final round. The semifinals will be played June 23 and the medal matches on June 24. This year's VNL will be the U.S. Women's only official international competition prior to the Tokyo Olympic Games, which begin July 24.
Dixon is no stranger to Team USA competition. She was named the Best Blocker at the 2018 VNL and the 2016 NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament, both of which USA won gold. She was also a 2014 FIVB World Championship gold team and the 2015 World Grand Prix. As a Gopher, Dixon was a two-time All-American and All-Big Ten selection. She still ranks as Minnesota's most efficient hitter. During her career, Dixon hit .369, including .436 her junior season.
Tapp has been a member of the National Team since 2017 and made her international debut at the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix. Tapp has also been a part of the 2019 Pan Am Cup where she was named the Best Blocker and the NORCECA Champions Cup. As a Gopher, Tapp was a two-time All-American, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and Academic All-District honoree.
Parsons has been a member of the U.S. National Team since 2017 and was a part of the 2018 FIVB VNL Prelim team, the 2018 and 2017 Pan Am Cup as well as the 2018 FIVB World Grand Prix. She was also a part of the NORCECA Champions Cup in 2019. With Minnesota, Parsons was an All-Big Ten selection and All-American in 2016. She's also Minnesota's first player to ever be named the AVCA National Player of the Year in 2016.
The VNL will be broadcast in the United States on the FIVB's streaming service Volleyball World TV.
The U.S. Women are the two-time and only defending champions of the VNL, which began in 2018. The 2020 edition of the VNL was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As in past VNL editions, 16 women's teams will compete against each other in three-day round-robin segments during the five-week preliminary round May 25-June 20.
Unlike the past, only the top four teams will advance to the final round. The semifinals will be played June 23 and the medal matches on June 24. This year's VNL will be the U.S. Women's only official international competition prior to the Tokyo Olympic Games, which begin July 24.
Dixon is no stranger to Team USA competition. She was named the Best Blocker at the 2018 VNL and the 2016 NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament, both of which USA won gold. She was also a 2014 FIVB World Championship gold team and the 2015 World Grand Prix. As a Gopher, Dixon was a two-time All-American and All-Big Ten selection. She still ranks as Minnesota's most efficient hitter. During her career, Dixon hit .369, including .436 her junior season.
Tapp has been a member of the National Team since 2017 and made her international debut at the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix. Tapp has also been a part of the 2019 Pan Am Cup where she was named the Best Blocker and the NORCECA Champions Cup. As a Gopher, Tapp was a two-time All-American, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and Academic All-District honoree.
Parsons has been a member of the U.S. National Team since 2017 and was a part of the 2018 FIVB VNL Prelim team, the 2018 and 2017 Pan Am Cup as well as the 2018 FIVB World Grand Prix. She was also a part of the NORCECA Champions Cup in 2019. With Minnesota, Parsons was an All-Big Ten selection and All-American in 2016. She's also Minnesota's first player to ever be named the AVCA National Player of the Year in 2016.
The VNL will be broadcast in the United States on the FIVB's streaming service Volleyball World TV.
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