Check Out the Video of Lauren Wicinski's Trip to Croatia for US Junior National Team

Geneva's Lauren Wicinski and fellow Northern Illinois volleyball sophomore Sarah Angelos became the latest Huskies to represent the U.S. overseas. The duo took part in the seventh annual European Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia, July 17-22 as members of the USA Volleyball A2 Junior National Team, and took the NIUHuskies.com camera along to share their unique experience.

Fronted by Utah head coach Beth Launiere, Long Island head coach Kyle Robinson, and Texas Christian associate head coach Jason Tanaka, the A2 team participated in a three-day training camp with Great Britain’s Senior Women’s National Team prior to the Global Challenge. Facing some of the world’s top national, collegiate and club teams, A2 played exceptionally well at the Global Challenge by taking fifth place with a 6-1 record.

Coming off a highly-successful 2010 campaign, the then-freshman were two large reasons that the Huskies posted their most wins (27) since 1998 and reached the Mid-American Conference Championship for the first time since winning it 2001.

Individually, both Huskies had outstanding rookie seasons. Middle blocker Angelos compiled the second best all-time single season hitting percentage (.367) in program history and ranked 29th in the nation. Outside hitter Wicinski became the first player in MAC history to claim the league’s Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors in the same season. 

With stops along the way in Serbia, Italy, and Slovenia, Angelos and Wicinski did a lot more than represent the Huskies well on the court. The pair also had the opportunity to go sight-seeing, shopping, and more. To catch a glimpse of their experience, watch the video below:

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/080511aab.html

This article and screen shot are courtesy of NIU.