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University of Houston Athletics
Paine Named to Australian National Team
5/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON â€" Senior setter Sophie Paine has been selected to the Australian National Team to compete at the upcoming Women's Volleyball Grand Prix in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
"When I was selected it was so surreal. It's always been a dream of mine," Paine said. "It's truly an honor to represent my home country and continue playing at the international level."
The HelloWorld Volleyroos will take on Sydney Olympic gold medalists Cuba, Colombia and Croatia in the prestigious event from June 3 until June 5.
"I've coached Sophie before and she shows an incredible maturity in running the court and makes confident setting decisions in transition which will only benefit our attack. After four years at the University of Houston, we feel that Sophie is ready to take the next step and challenge herself at the international level," Australian National Team Head Coach Shannon Winzer said. "While we expect it to be sharp learning curve, as it is for all our new players in the squad, we have no doubt Sophie will rise to the challenge and continue to improve past her graduating year."
"Most importantly Sophie has a strong work ethic and is a great teammate. We think she fits in well with the Volleyroos program culture we're trying to build," Winzer said.
The squad will head to Colombia the following weekend for the second leg of the World Grand Prix circuit, in hopes of qualifying for the final round in Kazakhstan June 17-19.
From October through December, Paine will compete in the Australian Volleyball League on the Victorian University Blues.
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