COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Carson Heilborn and Victoria Spragg, sophomores-to-be on the University of New Mexico volleyball team, have been selected to compete with the 2016 Mountain West All-Star Women’s Volleyball Team.
The team will compete in the 2016 European Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia, from July 10-14, facing off against junior national and club teams from throughout Europe. It’s the third straight year the Lobos have been represented on the team.
“I am very excited for Carson and Vic to have this opportunity,” New Mexico head coach Jeff Nelson said. “It is a great trip and a fantastic tournament that they will have the opportunity to play in. Our players that have went on the past have had great experiences. I have no doubt it will be amazing for Carson and Vic, too.”
Last season, seniors-to-be Julia Warren and Devanne Sours competed with Nelson coaching the team, while in 2014, Warren, Cassie House and assistant coach JJ Glavan made the trip.
Spragg, out of Belen, N.M., is coming off a redshirt season in 2015, and will be entering her redshirt sophomore season in the fall. During her true freshman season in 2014, the 6-foot-5 middle blocker played in 18 matches with four starts as a freshman, finishing with 28 kills and 37 total blocks.
Heilborn, a setter from Auburn, Wash., saw limited action her first season in Albuquerque as she backed up Hannah Johnson, one of the most decorated setters in UNM history. Heilborn did play in six matches, notching 16 assists, three kills and eight blocks. She also posted a 14-11 record playing on the Lobos’ beach volleyball squad.
The 12 Mountain West student-athletes that make up the team will travel to Maribor, Slovenia, for three days of training sessions and friendly matches against national teams from the region.
This year’s squad includes two setters, one libero, four middle blockers and five outside/opposite hitters from 10 of the 11 MW member institutions. Three of those players were 2015 All-Mountain West selections.
Boise State women’s volleyball coach and 2015 MW Coach of the Year Shawn Garus will coach the team along with Colorado State assistant coach Emily Hiza and Nevada volunteer assistant Vish Djurdjevic.
“Shawn Garus is the head coach and I know that they will enjoy Coach Garus too,” Nelson said.
Bring It Promotions, under the ownership of Tim Kelly, is managing the Mountain West all-star trip and has been running the Global Challenge tournament for 12 years. BIP has been coordinating overseas University tours since 1997.
The last two Mountain West squads have each placed third in the Brijuni Division at the Global Challenge.