Colorado University Athletics
Cierra Simpson Added To USAV CNT
June 02, 2016 | Volleyball
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — University of Colorado senior Cierra Simpson has been added to the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Training Team - Indianapolis program and will join teammate Taylor Joachim on the squad.
With the addition of Simpson, the Buffs have had four athletes picked for a USAV CNT team this summer, which ties Minnesota for the most selections. Gabby Simpson was named to the USAV CNT-Europe tour, while Alexa Smith was selected to the USAV CNT-China program.
The squad of 36, which is part of USA Volleyball's High Performance pipeline and is considered a second tryout for the U.S. Women's National Team, will train and compete from June 21-30 in Indianapolis, Indiana. After the program is divided into three 12-player rosters from the training portion, the competition phase involving a round-robin tournament of the three squads will take place June 26-29 under the same roof as the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships.
"We are very excited for CeCe and her opportunity to return to the CNT," head coach Jesse Mahoney said. "No one works harder than CeCe and it's gratifying to see her dedication to improving her game paying off."
Simpson, who is making her second straight appearance on the team, is one of five liberos. She has led the Buffs the last three seasons in digs and has been the Buffs defensive MVP in each of the last two seasons. In 2015, Simpson became the 14th Buff to record 1,000 career digs and set CU's rally scoring era career digs record at 1,170. She is also the overall single season record holder (519-2014) and is second on that same list (505-2015).
2016 U.S. Collegiate National Team - IndianapolisName (Position, School, 2016 College Year, Height, Hometown)
Kayla Buford (MB, University of Minnesota, 3, 6-2, Canton, Michigan)
Emily Butters (L, Missouri State University, 3, 5-8, Richmond, Texas)
Amanda Carroll (OH, Florida Gulf Coast University, 3, 5-10, Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Tess Clark (MB, University of Louisville, 2, 6-3, Phoenix, Arizona)
* Melanie Crow (OH, University of Mississippi, 1, 6-1, Wildwood, Missouri)
Danielle Cuttino (OH, Purdue University, 2, 6-4, Indianapolis, Indiana)
* Abby Detering (S, University of Florida, 2, 6-0, Mentor, Ohio)
Ashley Dusek (L, University of Kentucky, 2, 5-7, East Bernard, Texas)
Aubrey Edie (S, University of Mississippi, 1, 6-0, Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Shelly Fanning (OPP, Baylor University, 3, 6-2, Houston, Texas)
Kristen Gengenbacher (S, University of San Diego, 2, 5-9, Quincy, Illinois)
Janelle Giordano (MB, Southern Methodist University, 1, 6-2, Keller, Texas)
Amanda Green (OPP, Marquette University, 4, 6-1, Skokie, Illinois)
Erica Handley (S, University of Minnesota, 1, 6-1, Lakeville, Minnesota)
Kayla Haneline (MB, University of Northern Iowa, 1, 6-2, Plattsmouth, Nebraska)
Katherine Hegarty (OPP, Southern Methodist University, 2, 6-2, Aztec, New Mexico)
Amelia Held (L, University of Northern Iowa, 1, 5-9, Festus, Missouri)
Katie Horton (OH, Florida State University, 1, 6-1, Westland, Michigan)
Janelle Jenkins (OPP, University of Louisville, 1, 5-11, Southlake, Texas)
# Brittany Jessen (S, University of South Dakota, 2, 5-9, Mendota Heights, Minnesota)
Taylor Joachim (OPP, University of Colorado, 4, 6-4, Baroda, Michigan)
Jaelyn Keene (MB, Illinois State University, 2, 6-2, Jacksonville, Illinois)
Laura Larson (L, University of Arizona, 1, 5-6, Lakeville, Minnesota)
Taylor Louis (OH, Marquette University, 3, 6-2, Skokie, Illinois)
Giovanna Milana (OH, University of Maryland, 4, 6-2, Romeo, Michigan)
Taylor Nelson (S, Cal Poly, 2, 6-0, Granite Bay, California)
Kelsey O'Neill (MB, University of Pittsburgh, 2, 6-1, Skokie, Illinois)
Kayla Ostrom (S, Lipscomb University, 1, 5-9, Lafayette, Indiana)
Jenna Potts (MB, University of Pittsburgh, 1, 6-3, Bernville, Pennsylvania)
Olivia Rusek (OH, Miami University [Ohio], 2, 5-11, Skokie, Illinois)
Brooke Sassin (OH, Kansas State University, 1, 6-0, San Antonio, Texas)
* Molly Sauer (L, University of Louisville, 3, 5-11, Louisville, Kentucky)
Lauren Schad (MB, University of San Diego, 2, 6-2, Rapid City, South Dakota)
# Cierra Simpson (L, University of Colorado, 1, 6-0, Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Azariah Stahl (OH, Purdue University, 2, 6-0, Elkhart, Indiana)
# Teegen Van Gunst (OH, Georgia Tech, 1, 6-0, Fayetteville, Georgia)
Lynsey Wright (MB, Missouri State University, 2, 6-0, Glen Carbon, Illinois)
Bryna Vogel (OPP, Kansas State University, 2, 6-0, Clearwater, Kansas)
Jaali Winters (OH, Creighton University, 3, 6-2, Ankeny, Iowa)
NOTES: # denotes players added to roster after initial announcement; * denotes players who have dropped from program for personal reasons
