June 2, 2010
PHOENIX - Kelsey Black (Amarillo, Texas), a 5-11 outside hitter on the Texas A&M volleyball team, captured the bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Women's National A2 Red Team at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships held at the Phoenix Convention Center, May 29-June 1.
In addition, former Aggie All-American Sarah Ammerman, a two-time bronze medalist with the USA A2 program, won the silver medal at this year's USA Volleyball Open National Championships, playing for the Exterminators independent team.
The U.S. Women's National A2 Blue Team captured the Open Division gold medal, defeating Exterminators, 25-19, 25-12, 28-26, in the championship match. The Exterminators had advanced to the championship match by defeating A2 Red, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21, in the consolation semifinals.
The USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline A2 Teams, consisting of players with collegiate eligibility remaining, have been competing in the Open Division since 2003. Its only other championship titles in the event were in 2004 and 2008. The USA A2 Program is the only team with more than one Women's Open Division title in the last eight years.
Black, who will be a junior in the 2010 season, was making her first appearance on an USA A2 team, although she is quite familiar with the USA Volleyball program. Last year, Black played libero and outside hitter for the 2009 U.S. Women's Junior National Team (under-20 age group) that competed at the FIVB World Championship at Tijuana and Mexicali, Mexico. She also was on the 2008 Junior National Team training squad before having to withdraw due to an illness.
Black was one of 24 athletes selected to the 2010 A2 Program from a record pool of 175 who participated in a three-day open tryout at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., in late February.
For more information on the USAV Open National Championships, go to usavolleyball.org.