Feb. 14, 2006

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Junior middle blocker and 2005 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Faye Barhorst was named as one of 12 players selected to the 2006 USA Women's National Volleyball A2 Team on Monday.

The A2 National Team is comprised of collegiate players that were based on their respective performances at the 2006 USA National Team Tryout at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. from Jan. 13-15. The squad serves as a development for the USA Volleyball program and consists of the best collegiate players in the nation from nine different schools.

"It is hard to fathom what this could possibly lead to," Barhorst said. "I am more shocked that anything because I was close last year, but close is not good enough. This will be a great experience for me and a benefit for me and the UD program."

Her berth on the A2 National Team comes after being named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American each of the last two years. She was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championships while leading the Flyers to their third-straight A-10 Title. Barhorst led the Atlantic 10 in hitting percentage with the second-best mark in school history at .396, which also ranked 12th nationally. She also had 48 solo blocks and 126 block assists which were the second and third most in UD single-season history respectively.

"When I first came to UD I wanted to put my name on a wall somewhere and help the program become nationally known," Barhorst said. "I am just as happy to wear a jersey with USA on it as I am to wear a UD jersey."

Barhorst began her career by being named the 2003 AVCA Northeast Regional Freshman of the Year. Since then she has garnered AVCA Honorable Mention All-America honors each of the past two seasons.

After just three seasons, Barhorst is Dayton's all-time leader in both hitting percentage (.370) and solo blocks (134). She also ranks third all-time in block assists (379) and fourth in kills (1,340). Barhorst has also been honored by the Atlantic 10 Conference with 13 weekly awards including three A-10 Player of the Week awards this season. She was also named the 2003 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference team in 2004.

"We are excited for Faye," UD Head Coach Tim Horsmon said. "She has had a great year and has earned this opportunity with hard work. This gives her a chance to improve on her skills."

The A2 National Team will train in New Orleans, La., from May 22-26 under the guidance of head coach Mary Wise (Florida), assistant coach Susie Fritz (Kansas State) and another assistant coach to be determined. The squad will then compete in the Women's Open Division of the USA Volleyball Adult Open Championships at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from May 27-30.

2006 USA Women's National A2 Team

Faye Barhorst, M - Dayton (Fort Loramie, Ohio)
Shonda Cole, OH - South Carolina (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
Kekai Crabbe, L - Pepperdine (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Marcie Hampton, OH - Florida (Gainesville, Fla.)
Audra Jeffers, OP/OH - Wisconsin (Hartland, Wis.)
Kisya Killingsworth, M/OP - Florida (Deltona, Fla.)
Dominique Lamb, M - Arizona (Chandler, Ariz.)
Sophia Milo, M/OP - Pepperdine (Portland, Ore.)
Ashley Nuu, S - Colorado (Aurora, Colo.)
Airial Salvo, OH - Utah (Farmington, Utah)
Jackie Simpson, S - Wisconsin (Downer's Grove, Ill.)
Ami Stevens, OH/L - Ohio State (Centerburg, Ohio)

Head Coach: Mary Wise (Florida)
Assistant Coach: Suzie Fritz (Kansas State)