USU Sophomore Rachel Gale to Compete in Europe with MW All-Stars

Utah State [University] sophomore Rachel Gale will compete with a Mountain West all-star women’s volleyball team this summer in a European tour July 7-18. The trip marks the second consecutive year that the Mountain West has sent an all-star volleyball team to Europe.

Gale is the only member of the team from Utah State and one of only four underclassmen on the squad. The group will be under the direction of Jeff Nelson, head coach at the University of New Mexico.

The 12 student-athletes will travel to Maribor, Slovenia, for three days of training sessions and friendly matches against national teams from Croatia, Israel and Slovenia. From July 13-16, the team will compete in the 2015 European Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia, featuring junior national teams from throughout Europe.

“I am so excited for the opportunity to play volleyball internationally this summer and to represent Utah State,” Gale said. “This is a great opportunity, not only for me to improve my skills as a volleyball player and experience new cultures, but also for Utah State to be represented on an international level.

“I am so excited to show what a great program we have here at Utah State!” she continued. “I have always dreamed of having a chance to play internationally and I am honored and thrilled to have this experience.”

Gale appeared in 23 matches with one start for the Aggies last year, playing in a total of 52 sets during her freshman campaign. The Pleasant Grove native finished fifth on the team with 91 kills, averaging 1.75 per set. Gale’s strongest outing came against Fresno State where she recorded her first double-double, tallying 16 kills and 10 blocks.

“I am happy that Rachel was selected for this opportunity,” USU head coach Grayson DuBose said. “It will be a great experience seeing different cultures and countries. I look forward to hearing about her trip.”

2015 Mountain West Global Challenge All-Star Volleyball Team

Name	Institution	Height	2015 Year	Position
Kaitlyn Oliver	Boise State	6-4	Sophomore	MB
Maddy O'Donnell	Boise State	6-1	Junior	RS/MB
Adrianna Culbert	Colorado State	5-10	Senior	RS/OH
Cassidy Denny	Colorado State	5-8	Junior	L/DS
Lyndsey Anderson	Nevada	5-9	Junior	S
Devanne Sours	New Mexico	6-2	Junior	OH/RS
Julia Warren	New Mexico	6-1	Junior	OH
Emma Fuzie	San Diego State	6-1	Sophomore	MB
Tyanna Roy	San José State	6-0	Senior	OH
Bree Hammel	UNLV	6-0	Junior	MB
Alexis Patterson	UNLV	6-0	Freshman	S
Rachel Gale	Utah State	6-0	Sophomore	OH