WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In the midst of its spring slate, Wake Forest volleyball has three of its own primed to take on a major opportunity. Emma Farrell, Paige Crawford, and Ava Carney have each received invites to the 2023 USA Volleyball Women’s National Team (WNT) Open Program, as tryouts are slated to take place this weekend (Feb. 24-26), held at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
The WNT Open Program is used for consideration of selection to both the USA Volleyball Women’s National Team and Collegiate National Team. Staff members of the organization will be on hand to scout the talent through days of competition. Athletes born in 2003 or younger may also be eligible for selection to the U21 Women’s National Team that will compete in the 2023 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) U21 World Championship.
“I am very excited for these three!” said head coach Randi Smart. “They will be training and competing with the best in the country for three days. I love that they have this opportunity and we are really proud of them. Well-earned, Emma, Paige, and Ava!”
Emma Farrell | 5-6 | Libero | Norcross, Ga.
The reigning ACC Freshman of the Year, Farrell made a name for herself in the early stages of the 2022 fall campaign, becoming the conference’s digs-per-set leader in week two and maintaining that mark for 11 weeks and also through the conclusion of regular-season play. Her 4.41 average paced all individuals and she was the only true freshman to place in the ACC’s top-10 list within the statistical category. Collecting a pair of ACC Freshman of the Week nods and an ACC All-Freshman Team selection, Farrell was one of three Deacs to start and compete in all 31 of the team’s matches. Back on Sept. 16, she finished with 22 digs in a sweep over Davidson, which is tied for the third-best total by a Wake Forest individual in a three-set match. The Norcross, Georgia native recorded 20 or more digs on 11 separate occasions, including marks of 21 and 23 in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) tournament versus Coppin State and Davidson, respectively. Farrell’s ACC Freshman of the Year award made her just the second all-time program player to attain such recognition, while also being the first since Christy Williams in 2002.
Paige Crawford | 6-0 | Outside Hitter | Wimberley, Texas
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Wake Forest University Athletics…