Riley Zuhn has been selected one of 24 players to participate in the U.S. Girls' Youth National Training Team (GYNTT).  Zuhn, a freshman outside hitter for NORCO 16 Black, is the first athlete in NORCO history to be selected to a USA Volleyball National Training Team.

The roster consists of the top high school freshmen and sophomores from around the country.  Zuhn is one of 10 outside/opposite hitters selected.  She is the only player from the Rocky Mountain Region selected to the team.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to compete with the best players in the country,” Zuhn said.  “I know if will be difficult, but I want to represent NORCO and the RMR.”

Erin Virtue, associate head coach at Northwestern University, has been selected to serve as the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team head coach. Stacy Sykora (USA Volleyball) will serve as an assistant coach for the team, while Jared Hazel (formerly of Colorado State University) will serve as technical coordinator. A second assistant coach will be added to the coaching staff in the near future.

“On behalf of the entire coaching staff, we are thrilled to announce this exceptional group as the 2016 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Training Team,” Virtue said. “These 24 athletes are among the best in the nation in their age group and will compete to represent USA at the NORCECA Championship. Our staff is honored to implement and teach the core values, philosophies and strategies of our U.S. Women's National Team to these young athletes. The High Performance pipeline is a critical piece to achieving success at the highest levels in USA Volleyball and we are excited to create a culture of learning within this training group.”

Tentatively, the GYNTT will train July 11-24 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with the final 12-player U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team (GYNT) roster selected on July 19. The squad, along with the alternates, will compete in the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships held July 19-23 in Fort Lauderdale. The team will reconvene in Puerto Rico and compete in the NORCECA Women’s U18 Continental Championship with tentative dates set for Aug. 26-Sept. 5.