Oct. 11, 2011
SEATTLE - Former Husky volleyball All-Americans Courtney Thompson and Tamari Miyashiro will be suiting up for Team USA this month as the XVI Pan-American Games are set to kick off in Gudalajara, Mexico. Thompson is one of two setters on the 12-woman roster and Miyashiro is one of two liberos to make the cut. A 2006 grad and former Honda Award Winner as the nation's top volleyball player, Thompson is making her second Pan-Am Games trip with Team USA, as she helped the team to a bronze medal in 2007. She is the Pac-12 career assists leader. The trip continues a busy year for Miyashiro, Washington's career digs leader and a three-time All-American. The 2009 grad was the back-up libero in the prestigious FIVB World Grand Prix earlier this year, in which the Americans brought home gold. She saw action in 13 sets and had her first World Grand Prix start against Peru. The Pan American Games women's volleyball competition will take place Oct. 15-20. The U.S. opens Pool B on Oct. 15 against Puerto Rico at 1 p.m., followed by an Oct. 16 contest versus Peru at 1 p.m. Team USA concludes group play on Oct. 17 versus host Mexico at 7 p.m. The top team in both Pool A and Pool B receive an automatic berth into the semifinals on Oct. 19, while the second- and third-place teams compete in crossover quarterfinal matches on Oct. 18. The medal round and final classification matches are scheduled for Oct. 20. Washington is one of four programs with multiple alumni on the Team USA roster. Stanford has three grads, while UW, California, and Minnesota feature two apiece. The Pan American Games is held every four years in the year preceding the Olympics Games. The event started in 1955 at Mexico City. The U.S. Women's National Team has medaled in 11 of the previous 14 Pan American Games with volleyball competition, including one gold medal (1967), six silver medals (1955, 1959, 1963, 1971, 1983, 1995) and four bronze medals (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007). Information from USAVolleyball.org contributed to this report. |
