COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Eastern Washington volleyball freshman defensive specialist
Elle Bruegman spent the weekend at the 2024 USA Volleyball Women's National Team Open Program. The event began on Friday (Feb. 23) and went through Sunday (Feb. 25) at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"I had a nice experience at the USA WNTOP. It was my first ever attending any of the training series and I thoroughly enjoyed it," Bruegman described. "I loved all of the people I met and friends I made over the weekend. I also valued the opportunity we had to learn about current and emerging professional leagues in the US, along with talking to three-time Olympic medalist Jordan Larson. She shared knowledge about playing at the next level and what it takes to get there. She is truly a great role model. Additionally, the facilities and campus were stunning and the food was amazing too!"
Bruegman was one of over 200 volleyball players from around the country who participated in the three-day program.
"In athletics, you will always have players who see this opportunity to play college ball as a means to an end. It is a way for them to stay active, earn a scholarship and make lifelong friendships. That being said, we truly want athletes who love to play the sport and take every opportunity to engage in the game," head coach
Jon Haruguchi said. "I was so excited Elle jumped at the chance to push herself and get more exposure to the sport of volleyball by attending the Women's National Team Open Program through USA Volleyball. As a program, we were all very proud to have Elle represent herself and Eastern Washington Volleyball at the OTC (US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center) and hope more of our players will follow her path in the coming years."
USA volleyball uses the program to help make considerations for selection to the US Women's National team and Collegiate National Team. Participants born in 2005 or younger will also be considered for the U21 team.
In her first season at Eastern, Bruegman appeared in 12 matches, playing 20 total sets. She had a season-high six digs against Northern Colorado(11/11) and recorded 22 total for the season. Bruegman had three service aces, with two against Northern Arizona(11/9).
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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