Brown Named to U.S. Collegiate National Team Roster

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following an incredible sophomore season, Kaz Brown will continue to represent the Wildcats in stellar fashion, as the Waterloo, Iowa native will represent UK on the U.S. Collegiate National Team during its China tour this summer, as USA Volleyball announced earlier this afternoon. 

Brown finished the regular season third in the nation in blocks per set (1.61) and seventh in total blocks (178). With 160 block assists last season, she ranked second in single-season block assists for Kentucky all-time, while claiming the most blocks ever by a UK player in a single season during the 25-point rally scoring era. She also notched two double-double efforts in the season, the first time a Kentucky middle has notched a double-double since 2007. Brown earned multiple accolades over the season, being named to the All-SEC team, Player of the Week once, twice the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and MVP of the Bluegrass Battle. 

“We’re really proud of what Kaz has been able to accomplish both last season and now making the national team roster,” head coach Craig Skinner said. “She worked incredibly hard headed into the tryouts, and her combination of hard work and talent has put her in a position to be successful. Like some of our former players who have been a part of these teams in the past, we’re sure she’ll take away a lot of positives from the experience.”

The squad, which is part of USA Volleyball’s High Performance pipeline, will train and compete in a series of matches from June 18-July 1. After a short training period June 18-19 in Los Angeles, the team will be in Shanghai from June 21-23, followed by Nanjing from June 23-26 and Beijing June 26-July 1. 

Abby Cole (University of Michigan) and Jenna Rosenthal (Marquette University) will join Brown as the team’s middle blockers. The team’s coaching staff will be named later this spring.

For the latest on the Kentucky volleyball team, follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on the web at UKathletics.com. 

U.S. Collegiate National Team for 2015 Tour of China

Name (Position, School, 2016 College Year, Height, Hometown)

Katie Brand (S, Kansas State University, Sr., 6-1, Grand Island, Nebraska)

Kaz Brown (MB, University of Kentucky, Jr., 6-4, Waterloo, Iowa)

Abby Cole (MB, University of Michigan, Sr., 6-5, Grand Haven, Michigan)

Audriana Fitzmorris (OPP, Stanford University/St. James Academy [Lenexa, Kan.], Fr., 6-6, Overland Park, Kansas)

Ainise Havili (S, University of Kansas, Jr., 5-10, Fort Worth, Texas)

Morgan Heise (L, SMU, Jr., 5-6, Hempstead, Texas)

Madison Rigdon (OH, University of Kansas, So., 6-0, Pflugerville, Texas)

Jenna Rosenthal (MB, Marquette University, So., 6-6, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)

Tia Scambray (OH, University of Washington, Jr., 6-0, Dana Point, California)

Courtney Schwan (OH, University of Washington, Jr., 6-1, Auburn, Washington)

Alexa Smith (OH, University of Colorado, So., 6-1, Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Jordan Thompson (OPP, University of Cincinnati, So., 6-4, Edina, Minnesota)