Hammill, Tankesley Invited to the U.S. Volleyball National Team Tryouts

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee volleyball team's rising senior duo, libero Brienna Tankesley and setter Taylor Hammill, have been invited to participate in the annual U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts, March 1-2, at the Colorado Spring Olympic Training Camp in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"For our program this a step forward," stated head coach Chuck Crawford. "For two tough kids such as Bri and Taylor to be participating in the open tryouts, it will expose them to a high level of competition while gaining a valuable life experience".

This year's tryout will showcase 215 athletes from 88 colleges competing for spots on the U.S. National Team with the U.S. Collegiate National team program.

Tankesley and Hammill will mark the first players under the helm of head coach Chuck Crawford to attend the prestigious tryouts in March.

Tankesley, a 5-4 libero, will tryout as a part of the libero group the weekend. The Landisville, Pa. native enters the tryout after a stellar season with the Blue Raiders. Tankesley led the team's backrow, totaling a season-best 385 digs to average 3.81.

This past season, Tankesley showed her strengths on and off the court, earning the 2018 InTouch Credit Union Conference USA All-Academic team honor.

Hammill, a 5-11 setter, played in 73 sets for the Blue Raiders during her junior campaign. The Greenwood, Ind. native ranks among the best Middle Tennessee setters, averaging 8.51 assists per set in her two-year campaign with the Blue Raiders.

Players Mentioned

Taylor Hammill

Bri Tankesley

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics