MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — LSU middle blocker Brittnee Cooper was a contributing member of the U.S. Women’s National A2 Red Team that captured the silver medal at the 80th USA Adult Open Volleyball Championships held at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
The University of Washington, playing under its club name of Huskies VBC, captured the gold medal with a 25-22, 26-24, 25-21 victory over USA A2 Red in the title match. It marks the second consecutive year that Cooper has earned a medal with the USA A2 Red Team. She teamed with former teammate Elena Martinez to win gold in 2008.
The USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline A2 Teams have been competing in the Open Division since 2003. The USA A2 program has won the Open Division championship in 2004 and 2008. The A2 players, all of whom have remaining collegiate eligibility for 2009, were selected as part of the U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryouts held Feb. 20-22 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. A record total of 160 athletes competed in the Open Tryout.
USA Volleyball has showcased its USA Adult Open Volleyball Championships for 80 years since the organization’s founding in 1928. Except for 1943 and 1944 during the height of World War II, the Open has been a mainstay celebrating adult volleyball nationally.
The event is one of the largest national championships in any sport in the United States, and the Open has featured the sport of volleyball from coast-to-coast.
2009 USA Women’s National A2 Red Team
Name (Position, College, 2009 College Eligibility, Hometown)
1 – Christine Tan (Libero, Minnesota, Sr., Safety Harbor, Fla.)
3 – Kaylee Manns (Setter, Iowa State, Sr., Topeka, Kan.)
4 – Sarah Rumely (Setter, Kentucky, Sr., New Palestine, Ind.)
5 – Ashlie Christenson (Outside Hitter, Baylor, Jr., Cleburne, Texas)
6 – Kristy Jaeckel (Outside Hitter, Florida, So., Littleton, Colo.)
7 – Michelle Bartsch (Outside Hitter, Illinois, So., Maryville, Ill.)
8 – Neticia Enesi (Middle Blocker, Oregon, Sr., The Dalles, Ore.)
9 – Naomi Washington (Middle Blocker, Long Beach State, Sr., New Orleans, La.)
11 – Ellen Herman (Outside Hitter, Ohio, Sr., Toledo, Ohio)
12 – Brittnee Cooper (Middle Blocker, LSU, Sr., Houston, Texas)
13 – Ashley Edinger (Libero, Illinois, Sr., Michigan City, Ind.)
16 – Ashleigh McCord (Outside Hitter, Rice, So., Wylie, Texas)
Head Coach: Jason Watson (Arizona State)
Assistant Coach: Aven Lee (Pacific)