Feb. 23, 2011
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa freshmen Rachael Bedell and Bethany Yeager will represent the Iowa volleyball program at the 2011 U.S. Women’s National Team open tryouts this weekend. The tryouts will take place Friday-Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.
Iowa assistant coach Ben Boldt will be one of 27 tryout staff personnel on hand to assist head coach Hugh McCutcheon in the evaluation oversight process. Karch Kiraly and Paula Weishoff are also on the U.S. Women’s National Team coaching staff.
“Bethany and Rachael will get an opportunity to compete with some of the top players in the country,” said Boldt. “I am excited to work alongside some of the top coaches in the world. It’ll be a great experience.”
Yeager was one of three Hawkeyes to start every match in 2010. She appeared in all 106 sets at the libero position. The Brenham, TX, native led the team and ranked fourth in the Big Ten averaging 4.36 digs per contest. She was named to two all-tournament teams and shared the team’s Practice Player of the Year honor.
Bedell started 22 matches as a freshman and ranked fourth on the team in kills and third in total blocks. The Plano, TX, native recorded over 100 kills in Big Ten play and led all of Iowa’s outside hitters with 36 blocks in conference play.
Bedell and Yeager are among a record 208 tryout participants. The 2011 tryouts are open to current college-age athletes and older. Bedell and Yeager will also be considered for the U.S. Women’s Junior National team program.