Information courtesy of volleyball.org.au
The 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women starts next week in Manila, Philippines with a 14-strong Volleyroos team selected for the tournament.
The side will be once again led by captain Mikaela Stevens as one of 10 players returning to the side which played last year’s competition in Indonesia.
The tournament will see the senior international debuts of Cameron Zajer (SA) and Elysse Hislop (WA).
Zajer has had an incredible 12 months in both forms of the sport. She performed strongly for Adelaide Storm in the 2023 Scape Australian Volleyball Super League, won a silver medal for Australia with Jasmine Rayner at the Commonwealth Youth Games before the pair claimed the Asian U19 Beach Volleyball crown less than two weeks ago.
Hislop was a dominant force in the Super League last year, taking her game to another level. The middle blocker’s performances were central to the WA Steel team success has they dropped just one regular season match before going on to claim the title.
Allysha Sims (SA) and Caitlin Tipping (VIC) have been recalled to the national team, with selections made following last week’s camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
“The camp held at the AIS which preceded this selection gave players the opportunity to play their way onto the team and for that they should be congratulated,” said Craig Marshall, National Performance Director.
“Now they have the opportunity to pull on the national colours and compete on the international stage, the level goes up another notch and the entire team has a fantastic opportunity to do themselves and their country proud.”
Coach Russ Borgeaud believes the team’s experience from last year’s tournament stands them in good stead for further improvement when competition starts on Wednesday.
“After an impressive sixth at last year’s tournament, I’m hoping to build on that momentum with this talented group of women at this year’s tournament in the Philippines,” he said. “We have been able to put in some great training blocks with the team in the lead up to this event and I’m excited to see how we can put this together for some good results.”
For captain Stevens, the Challenge Cup provides a rare opportunity to bring the nation’s best players back together, many of whom have advanced their game for their respective sides around the world.
“I’m really excited for the tournament,” she said. “The squad has been working hard in their respective college and professional seasons and have come back bringing more experience and confidence to the squad.
“After some close matches last year, we are looking forward to pushing ourselves and are gunning for a top four finish. I’m looking forward to seeing how the team gels and how our improvements compare to some of the best in Asia.”
In addition to team staff, George Chalhoub will be the Australian referee representative at the tournament.
The 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women takes place in Manila, Philippines from 22-29 May with the Volleyroos meeting Chinese Taipei on the opening day of competition.
2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women
Manila, Philippines | 22-29 May 2024
Pool A
Wed 22 May – Australia v Chinese Taipei
Thu 23 May – Australia v Philippines
Sat 25 May – Australia v India
Sun 26 May – Australia v Iran
Knockout rounds to follow
Australian Women’s Volleyroos Team
Mikaela Stevens (c) (NSW) S
Emma Burton (QLD) OPP
Sarah Burton (WA) L
Lauren Cox (VIC) MB
Cassandra Dodd (WA) MB
Elysse Hislop (WA) MB
Kasey Hogan (QLD) PH
Kara Inskip (QLD) MB
Ella Schabort (WA) PH
Allysha Sims (SA) L
Caitlin Tipping (VIC) OPP/PH
Caitlin Whincup (WA) PH
Cameron Zajer (SA) –PH/OPP
Alexia Zammit (WA) S
Head Coach – Russell Borgeaud
Assistant Coach – Kathryn Chen
Statistician – Hugh Nguyen
Physio – Alana Hassell
Referee – George Chalhoub
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