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Trio of Gophers Selected to Train with USA Volleyball
5/21/2021 8:16:00 AM | Volleyball
University of Minnesota volleyball standouts CC McGraw, Stephanie Samedy and Melani Shaffmaster are three of 29 top volleyball players selected to train as part of the 2021 USA Volleyball Women's Collegiate National Team. These athletes will train June 13-18 in Anaheim, Calif.
Players on the Collegiate National Team, selected by the U.S. Women's National Team staff and National Team Development Program (NTDP), will work with top volleyball coaches at USAV's Anaheim training center. Athletes will receive evaluation, feedback and individual development plans. All training will align with the expectations of the U.S. Women's National Team's coaches and staff.
McGraw, a libero from Prior Lake, Minn., saw action in 38 sets in 2021 before suffering an injury. She averaged 4.39 digs per set before an injury sidelined her the last three weeks of the regular season. McGraw also has 47 assists and 14 aces this past spring. Despite the injury, she was named an AVCA all-region selection for the second straight year.
Samedy, an opposite hitter from Clermont Fla., is a four-time All-Big Ten selection and was named the 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year. In 2021, she led the team in kills (295) and kills per set (4.15). Samedy was also named the recipient of the Senior CLASS award, which is chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I women's volleyball coaches, national volleyball media, and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women's volleyball. Samedy is the second student-athlete from the University of Minnesota to win the Senior CLASS Award.
A native of New Castle, Ind., Shaffmaster completed her first year as the starting Gopher setter. In her rookie season, she averaged 9.69 assists per set. Providing double doubles in 10 matches this season, she also averaged 2.96 digs per set. Named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team, Shaffmaster was also an AVCA all-region selection. She was a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Week and also garnered Freshman of the Week honors once this past year.
Players on the Collegiate National Team, selected by the U.S. Women's National Team staff and National Team Development Program (NTDP), will work with top volleyball coaches at USAV's Anaheim training center. Athletes will receive evaluation, feedback and individual development plans. All training will align with the expectations of the U.S. Women's National Team's coaches and staff.
McGraw, a libero from Prior Lake, Minn., saw action in 38 sets in 2021 before suffering an injury. She averaged 4.39 digs per set before an injury sidelined her the last three weeks of the regular season. McGraw also has 47 assists and 14 aces this past spring. Despite the injury, she was named an AVCA all-region selection for the second straight year.
Samedy, an opposite hitter from Clermont Fla., is a four-time All-Big Ten selection and was named the 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year. In 2021, she led the team in kills (295) and kills per set (4.15). Samedy was also named the recipient of the Senior CLASS award, which is chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I women's volleyball coaches, national volleyball media, and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women's volleyball. Samedy is the second student-athlete from the University of Minnesota to win the Senior CLASS Award.
A native of New Castle, Ind., Shaffmaster completed her first year as the starting Gopher setter. In her rookie season, she averaged 9.69 assists per set. Providing double doubles in 10 matches this season, she also averaged 2.96 digs per set. Named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team, Shaffmaster was also an AVCA all-region selection. She was a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Week and also garnered Freshman of the Week honors once this past year.
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