May 26, 2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore middle blocker Kaz Brown will have the opportunity to train with the United States Women’s Junior National Team as an alternate during domestic training June 16-24. Brown will compete against the 12 players selected for Junior National Team Competition and will be considered for a position to the team if an opening arises.
“This is a great opportunity for Kaz,” UK coach Craig Skinner said. “She is one of only about six middle blockers in her age group competing at this level. This will be an invaluable experience for her as she works to develop into one of the USA’s best.”
Brown joins an ever-growing list of players under Skinner’s tutelage to compete alongside the nation’s best players. Earlier this spring, senior Morgan Bergren was selected to the U.S. Collegiate National Team program as a part of a 36-member team that will train and compete in conjunction with the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships, June 21-29 in New Orleans, La.
Bergren and Brown join Whitney Billings, Ashley Frazier, Stephanie Klefot, Alexandra Morgan, Jackie Napper, and Sarah Rumely who have all garnered invaluable experience during the summer months with the various training opportunities by Team USA.
Brown wasted no time making an impact for the Wildcats as a freshman, both offensively and defensively. She led UK in blocks 11 times, second-most on the team, with eight of her team-high totals in SEC matches. Brown tallied at least five kills in 10 matches and four or more kills nine times. She recorded a career-best eight kills four times, all in SEC play.
A Waterloo, Iowa, native, Brown led the team with 98 blocks, and her 1.20 blocks per set in SEC play was third in the league. Offensively, she was seventh in the conference with a .395 hitting percentage in SEC matches.
Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the Kentucky volleyball team and all 22 varsity sports. For additional info on the volleyball team like Kentucky Volleyball on Facebook or follow the team on Twitter at @KentuckyVB.
