LAKE MARY, Fla. – Earlier this week, Ron Smith of USA Sports Tours & Events announced the tour schedule and teams for the upcoming USA D-2 Volleyball Teams – Brazil Tour 2018.

The organization has announced that two teams (Red team & Black team) will be representing the United States while on tour. Stormi Leonard (Decatur, Texas) and Adrianna Nolly (Denton, Texas) were named to the Black squad.

"This is an amazing opportunity and I am excited that I get to go." Nolly said, "I'm excited that I get to travel and compete with one of my teammates in a different country. I can't wait to experience the Brazilian culture and to compete against high level opponents."

Leonard echoed her teammates' enthusiasm about their upcoming trip. "It's an opportunity that we could not pass up." Leonard replied, "I'll take away an appreciation for both the sport and the culture of Brazil."  

The Black team is made up of ten players representing seven different colleges and universities from around the country.

"I am very excited that Stormi (Leonard) and Adrianna (Nolly) will get to experience playing in Brazil and will get to represent Ouachita Baptist in the process." Ouachita head volleyball coach Allison Frizzell-Kizer said, "For them to play the sport they love in a new culture with new teammates will be a lifetime experience. This exposure of education will give them tremendous growth on the court and in life. We are very proud and honored that these two hardworking student-athletes get to represent Ouachita Baptist."

The 2018 Brazil tour is scheduled for May 14 – May 23, 2018. The teams will have a quick orientation in Orlando, Fla on May 14^th before departing for Sao Paulo, Brazil. The two squads will then practice on May 15^th in the city of Jundiai, before competing in their first matches of the tour on May 16^th and 17^th. On May 19^th the teams will compete in the "International Challenge" in Rio de Janeiro against top U22, adult and professional club teams from the area.

"I think that this will give us a whole new outlook at competition." Leonard replied, "We are going to get to see people that we have never seen get to play, it will also give me and Adri an opportunity to build a stronger connection on the court."

When the two teams are not competing, they will be experiencing the vibrant culture of Brazil while getting to see some of the most iconic landmarks in the world.

Leonard has been a three-time All-Great American Conference selection, finished last season with a team leading 1,206 assists and averaged 10.58 assists per set last year. Leonard has amassed 3,430 assists in her career thus far, which places her second All-Time in the GAC. The junior from Texas is also second All-Time in assists per set with a 10.66 average.

Nolly finished up her sophomore season leading the team in hitting percentage (.327) and blocks (91). The former GAC Freshman of the Year award winner was named to her second All-Conference team following another standout year on the court. In her short career the Lone Star native has amassed 505 kills and 156 blocks in her career.   

Leonard and Nolly will be joined by four other Great American Conference athletes and coaches. Jennifer Eubanks and Hannah Williams will represent Northwestern Oklahoma State University, while Mikayla Watson represents Oklahoma Baptist. The head volleyball coach of the Black team is Brianna Barry of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

"It will be fun getting to make new friends that we will get to compete against during the regular season," Leonard said.
 
 
 
USA D-2 Volleyball Teams' Rosters
 
USA D-2 RED Volleyball Team
Leah Bisignani                                    Seton Hill University
Maddy Bruder                                    Northwest Missouri State University
Cassidy Cason                                    Rollins College
Rachel Fletcher                                   Rollins College
Alyssa Gage                                        Southern Connecticut State University
Haley Hop                                           University of Alabama – Huntsville
Saavy Hughes                                     Truman State University
Rowan Jack                                         Notre Dame de Namur University
Leanna Jadus                                      Southern Connecticut State University
Alicia Pickett                                      Missouri Southern State University
 
USA D-2 RED Volleyball Coach
Head Volleyball Coach                       Lisa Bushman – Rollins College
 
 
USA D-2 BLACK Volleyball Team
Allyson Cappel                                   Ferris State University
Ava Carnley                                        University of North Alabama
Jennifer Eubanks                                Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Malissa LeClaire                                 Upper Iowa University
Stormi Leonard                                 Ouachita Baptist University
Bethany Lovhaug                                Upper Iowa University
Adrianna Nolly                                  Ouachita Baptist University
Courtney Place                                    Augustana University
Mikayla Watson                                  Oklahoma Baptist University
Hannah Williams                                 Northwestern Oklahoma State University
 
USA D-2 BLACK Volleyball Coach
Head Volleyball Coach                       Brianna Barry – Southeastern Oklahoma State University