Fairbanks and Babcock Named to U.S. Women’s National Training Team

PITTSBURGH –ACC Setter of the Year Rachel Fairbanks and AVCA National Freshman of the Year Olivia Babcock have been named to the U.S. Women’s National Training Team, announced by USA Volleyball on Friday. The team is comprised of 18 collegiate volleyball players and is set to train with U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly and his staff at the Anaheim National Team Training Center in California. 

“This week represents a great honor for them to be chosen to this elite group,” says Head Coach Dan Fisher. “It is also a good opportunity for them to be coached by Coach Kiraly and the National Team staff. They have been preparing for opportunities like this their whole career, and I’m sure they’ll make the most of it.”

Fairbanks and Babcock have been a constant in the USA gym. Fairbanks competed in the U21 Pan American Cup last summer, winning the title alongside Head Coach Dan Fisher and was named the Tournament’s Best Setter. Similarly, Babcock won the U21 Pan American Cup in 2023 alongside Blaire Bayless. 

The two AVCA First Team All-Americans were crucial to Pitt’s third straight trip to the National Semifinals and second consecutive ACC Championship in the 2023 season. In addition, they were both named to the All-ACC First Team AVCA East Region Team. Babcock notched ACC Freshman of the Year and AVCA East Coast Region Freshman of the Year honors while Fairbanks earned her first AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year award.