COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Volleyball selected 48 athletes with collegiate eligibility remaining to participate in this summer's U.S. Women's National A2 Team Program. The list of 48 includes seven repeat selections, including South Dakota State standout Kelli Fiegen.

"Kelli worked very hard in the fall, as well as in the offseason, and truly earned this honor," SDSU head volleyball coach Phil McDaniel said. "I know that she's proud to represent both SDSU and the state of South Dakota, and we're excited for her to once again have the opportunity to train and compete with some of the best in the country!"

The 48 U.S. Women's National A2 Team Program players hail from 34 different collegiate programs. The A2 program includes eight liberos, 12 middle blockers, 14 outside hitters, six opposites and eight setters.

Training begins June 26 at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, while the matches will be held June 30 to July 4 during the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships (GJNC) at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. During the pre-tournament training session, the 48 athletes will be divided into four teams of 12 players that will play one match per day during the GJNC. All matches will be A2 competing against each other in a round-robin format followed by a semifinal and final round.

What does A2 Mean?
A2, as with many other sports in the international scene including volleyball and soccer pro leagues, is a method to say the second level team. As for USA Volleyball, the A2 team must be made of athletes with collegiate eligibility. After college, they become part of the U.S. Women's National Training Team until they actually make roster (then U.S. Women's National Team).