Murray State University Athletics
Sauer Headed for Women's National Team Tryout
2/18/2010 2:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Murray State volleyball sophomore Kayleah Sauer will be trying out for the United State Women's National Volleyball Team this weekend in Colorado Springs, Colo. Tryouts run from Feb. 19-21 at the Olympic Training Center.
"Words cannot describe how excited I am for the opportunity to travel to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs," said Sauer. "To participate in the tryout for the Women's National Team has always been a dream of mine. It will give me a chance to compete with and against some of the best college volleyball athletes throughout the nation. It is such an honor to be able to go to this tryout being run by Hugh McCutcheon, who is the head coach for the Gold Medalists of the 2008 Olympics."
Sauer, the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, has been a standout for the Racers since earning the starting libero position part way through her freshman season (2008). The native of Louisville, Ky., became a member of the 1,000 Dig Club Nov. 10, 2009, and is currently ranked No. 13 on the MSU Career Digs List (1,060).
"Of course I think this is great for our program but honestly," said head coach David Schwepker. "I am more excited for Kayleah and this great opportunity that she has taken."
Sauer was named to the OVC All-Newcomer Team in 2008 and then to the All-OVC Second Team as a sophomore (2009). As a sophomore she averaged 5.01 digs per set and had a .924 serving percentage while leading the team with 26 service aces. The defensive specialist has a .945 serve receive percentage for her career and a .929 serving percentage to go along with a 4.69 digs per set average.
"During this time of the year, our athletes are only able to be coached in volleyball just two hours a week. So consequently we have been doing two one hour sessions weekly," Schwepker added. "However, Kayleah has been going into the gym with the help of her teammates and doing a lot of extra work to prepare for the tryout. As I told her, it would be great if she makes it, but the opportunity and experience is what she will have for the rest of her life; and what an experience it should be!!!"
