Texas Tech University Athletics
Two Red Raiders to Try Out for U.S. National Team
March 01, 2017 | Women's Volleyball
Libero Tita Akiu and newcomer Missy Owens receive invites to annual U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryouts.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech volleyball's Reyn (Tita) Akiu and newcomer Missy Owens have received invitations to travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., for the U.S. National Team Open Tryouts March 3-5.
"This is a great opportunity for Missy and TIta, and I'm excited for them to train with the national team coaches as well as some of the best college volleyball players in the country," Texas Tech head coach Tony Graystone said. "I'm sure they will have a great tryout and hopefully will put themselves on the national team's radar."
Owens, who transferred to Texas Tech in December following two seasons as a setter at Long Beach State, and Akiu are two of approximately 245 collegiate athletes from 82 colleges and 10 high schools from across the country who are vying for spots on the U.S. Collegiate National Team Programs.
Akiu posted Texas Tech's second highest individual dig totals for a single season with 547 in 2016, her first year as a full-time starter. The Honolulu, Hawaii native, finished second in the Big 12 with .497 digs per set in 2016.
A native of Yorba Linda, Calif., Owens started all 31 matches for the 49ers in 2016, compiling 1,225 assists and a team-leading 31 services aces. Her 10.56 assists per set ranked second in the Big West Conference and helped Long Beach State finish with the second-best hitting percentage in the conference at .256. Long Beach State accumulated a 21-10 overall mark in 2016, finishing second in the Big West with a 13-3 record.
Owens, who will be eligible to compete for the Red Raiders in the 2017 season as a redshirt junior, is one of six newcomers added by Graystone since the conclusion of the 2016 season.
Each athlete trying out will be assigned to one session on March 3. The sessions are at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. (CT). Fans can watch a live stream of the tryout beginning Friday, March 3, at 2 p.m. MT. USA Volleyball will also be going live on Facebook daily to promote the tryout and their webcast. For more information, visit teamusa.org.
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"This is a great opportunity for Missy and TIta, and I'm excited for them to train with the national team coaches as well as some of the best college volleyball players in the country," Texas Tech head coach Tony Graystone said. "I'm sure they will have a great tryout and hopefully will put themselves on the national team's radar."
Owens, who transferred to Texas Tech in December following two seasons as a setter at Long Beach State, and Akiu are two of approximately 245 collegiate athletes from 82 colleges and 10 high schools from across the country who are vying for spots on the U.S. Collegiate National Team Programs.
Akiu posted Texas Tech's second highest individual dig totals for a single season with 547 in 2016, her first year as a full-time starter. The Honolulu, Hawaii native, finished second in the Big 12 with .497 digs per set in 2016.
A native of Yorba Linda, Calif., Owens started all 31 matches for the 49ers in 2016, compiling 1,225 assists and a team-leading 31 services aces. Her 10.56 assists per set ranked second in the Big West Conference and helped Long Beach State finish with the second-best hitting percentage in the conference at .256. Long Beach State accumulated a 21-10 overall mark in 2016, finishing second in the Big West with a 13-3 record.
Owens, who will be eligible to compete for the Red Raiders in the 2017 season as a redshirt junior, is one of six newcomers added by Graystone since the conclusion of the 2016 season.
Each athlete trying out will be assigned to one session on March 3. The sessions are at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. (CT). Fans can watch a live stream of the tryout beginning Friday, March 3, at 2 p.m. MT. USA Volleyball will also be going live on Facebook daily to promote the tryout and their webcast. For more information, visit teamusa.org.
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