George Washington University Athletics
Two GW Volleyball Recruits Help Win National Club Championship
7/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
July 10, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC - George Washington University volleyball recruits MacKenzie Knox and Alyssa Valentine helped propel their club team, TCA-18 Third Degree Black, to the National Championship for the 18 Open division in the USA Volleyball 2008 Girls Junior Olympics Volleyball Championships on June 29 in Dallas, TX. The players were teammates at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, CA, and will play for the Colonials beginning this fall.
Both players start for the team which posted an 8-1 match record, their only loss coming in the first match of the tournament to the Northern Lights club. Third Degree Black defeated Hawaii's Imi Ike 18 club, 3-2, in the finals by the scores, 25-14, 25-16, 24-26, 29-31, 15-12.
"Both Alyssa and MacKenzie have worked hard and competed well for this title," GW associate coach Amy Bambenek said. "Playing in a 5-game National Championship match takes a lot of focus and determination. You can't simulate that type of pressure and excitement in practice. Alyssa ran the offense with precision, and MacKenzie scored consistently with her attacking and blocking. We were so proud to witness TCA win the gold and cheer on our two future Colonials!"
GW concluded the 2007 season with a 13-17 overall record, 5-8 in the Atlantic 10 Conference and qualified for the A-10 championship tournament for the first time in three years. The Colonials open the 2008 slate in the DC Challenge on Aug. 29 against American in Fairfax, VA.
