Johnson, Keefe to Attend Women’s National Team Open Program

DURHAM – Gracie Johnson and Kerry Keefe are set to participate at the USA Volleyball’s Women’s National Team Open Program (WNTOP), which will be held at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and runs Friday through Sunday.

The WNT Open Program is used for consideration for selection to both the U.S. Women’s National Team and the U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team. In 2023, members of the U.S. Women’s National Team will compete in the following events: Volleyball Nations League, Paris Olympic Qualifier, Pan American Cup and NORCECA Continental Championship.

“We are very excited for Gracie and Kerry to be invited to the USA Women’s National Team Open Program,” head coach Jolene Nagel said. “It is a great honor for them to have received an invitation and we at Duke support them enthusiastically to take advantage of the opportunity. This program allows them to be in consideration for both the Women’s National Team and the Women’s Collegiate National Team. Both Gracie and Kerry were very productive on the court for us this past season and were integral in our offense.”

Led by U.S. women’s head coach Karch Kiraly, the Women’s National Team staff and volleyball coaches from around the country, athletes will participate in skill-specific activities and match play throughout the Open Program.

Johnson and Keefe will be two of 24 student-athletes representing the ACC.

Johnson was Duke’s engine the entire fall season, but that’s no surprise with her impressive numbers on both sides of the ball. This fall, she saw her best offensive output since her arrival in Durham with 462 kills and a .203 hitting percentage. She also owned 53 aces, 217 digs and 43 blocks, proving she’s more than just an offensive threat. She finished the season ranked in the top 50 of eight national categories and in the top five of eight statistical categories in the ACC. She led the conference in total aces and was second in total kills and total points.

The Virginia Beach, Va., native tallied 10 or more kills 23 times this season, including a career-high 29 against Wake Forest (11/16). She also racked up 20 or more kills 13 times this fall and finished the year with 20 or more in six of the final seven matches. With one of the toughest serves in the nation, she had at least one ace in 20 matches, including a career-high…