Cougar volleyball rising junior McKenna Woodford is a member of the select U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team - Thailand Tour (CNT-Thailand). Below are her personal thoughts at the beginning of the May 19-30 trip followed by recaps of the first two matches provided by USA Volleyball.
"I'm not really sure where my day started, or when it ended but what I do know is that after a 3 hour practice in LA, a 6 hour waiting period, a red-eye 14 hour flight to Hong Kong (where both dinner AND breakfast were served on the plane), and another 2 and a half hour flight, we finally ended up here, in Bangkok, Thailand where the time was 11 a.m. and our day was only beginning. We grabbed some lunch before heading off to practice, then ate dinner and tried desperately to keep ourselves from falling dead asleep at 7 p.m. Yes, the leg space is limited, travel is long, the heat and humidity is intense, the gym could very well be a hot yoga studio, tap water is not quite drinkable, rolls of toilet paper are hard to come by, and my inner body clock is all sorts of messed up, but I am loving every minute of it. Travel is not always luxurious or relaxing or anything close to what many would consider "a vacation," but as I've been told, the most growth occurs when we learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And I am so grateful for another opportunity to expand my horizons and embrace what is unfamiliar. Trips like this are very humbling and remind me of how fortunate I am to have what I have and to be here experiencing all of this. Not to mention what an honor it is to be representing the USA with a great group of highly talented volleyball players and staff from around the country who have already challenged my level of play and pushed me to make changes. Our first match is in 4 hours, Go Cougs and go USA!!" ~ McKenna Woodford
MATCH RECAPS FROM USA VOLLEYBALL
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 22, 2017) – The U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team - Thailand Tour (CNT-Thailand) opened its five-match competition schedule in Bangkok with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-22, 26-24, 15-10 loss to Supreme, the champions of the Thai professional league that includes several Thai national team players and two foreigners. The match was scheduled for five sets instead of the typical best-of-five format.
Opposite Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani (Los Angeles, California, University of Texas) tallied a team-best 13 points with nine kills on 24 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Middle Chiaka Ogbogu (Coppell, Texas, University of Texas) added 10 points with six kills on 12 errorless attacks and a team-leading four blocks. Middle Kaz Brown (Waterloo, Iowa, University of Kentucky) contributed nine points with six kills on 12 swings and three blocks.
Middle Morgan Johnson (DeSoto, Texas, University of Texas) pocketed seven points with four kills, two aces and a block. Outside Madison Rigdon (Pflugerville, Texas, University of Kansas) was credited with six kills on 19 attacks and an ace for seven points. Opposite Jordan Thompson (Edina, Minnesota, University of Cincinnati) tallied five kills, one block and one ace for seven points.
Outside hitter Micaya White (Frisco, Texas, University of Texas), outside hitter McKenna Woodford (Chandler, Arizona, Washington State University) and outside hitter Lily Johnson (Wildwood, Missouri, Missouri State University) all tallied six points each. Setter Taylor Hughes (Carroll, Ohio, Ohio State University) tallied five points, and setter Taylor Nelson (Granite Bay, California, Cal Poly) rounded out the scoring with a block.
Libero Brittany Witt (Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton University) handled 21 of the team's 107 receptions with a 62 positive reception percent.
All 12 players on the CNT-Thailand roster started at least two sets.
The U.S. out-blocked Supreme 15-6 for the match. Supreme took advantage of the CNT-Thailand team's struggles in passing. Supreme tallied 12 aces as the Americans held a 51 positive reception percent on 107 reception chances.
The CNT-Thailand team will face the Thai National Team on May 23. The U.S. squad will face Bangkok Glass Professional Team on May 24 before wrapping up the tour challenging the Thai National Team on May 25 and May 29. All matches are scheduled for 4 p.m. Thai Time and held at the FIVB Development Center in Bangkok.
Athletes on the CNT-Thailand roster were selected through the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held March 3-5 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Two other CNT programs are being held this summer, including one on a tour of Europe and the other training and competing in Minneapolis.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 23, 2017) – The U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team – Thailand Tour (CNT-Thailand) defeated the Thai National Team 22-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 15-10 on Tuesday in Bangkok as part of its training and competition tour.
Athletes on the CNT-Thailand roster were selected through the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held March 3-5 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Two other CNT programs are being held this summer, including one on a tour of Europe and the other training and competing in Minneapolis.
Opposite Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani (University of Texas, Los Angeles) tallied a team-best 19 points in starting the first two sets and subbing into the fifth set. She compiled 17 kills on 30 attacks and two blocks. Opposite Jordan Thompson (University of Cincinnati, Edina, Minnesota) turned in 12 points with 10 kills on 19 attacks with just one error, while adding two blocks. Middle Chiaka Ogbogu (University of Texas, Coppell, Texas) contributed 12 points with eight kills on 15 errorless attacks, three aces and a block.
Outside hitter Micaya White (University of Texas, Frisco, Texas) pocketed 10 points with six kills on 13 errorless attacks to go with two aces and two blocks. Madison Rigdon (University of Kansas, Pflugerville, Texas) tallied six kills on 14 swings and three blocks for nine points. Middle Morgan Johnson (University of Texas, DeSoto, Texas) tacked on nine points with five kills on nine errorless attacks, three blocks and an ace.
Outside hitter Lily Johnson (Missouri State University, Wildwood, Missouri) totaled seven points with kills on 15 attacks and two blocks. Outside hitter McKenna Woodford (Washington State University, Chandler, Arizona) scored four kills on 12 errorless attacks and an ace for five points. Middle Kaz Brown (University of Kentucky, Waterloo, Iowa) chalked up four points with two aces, one block and one kill. Setters Taylor Hughes (Ohio State University, Carroll, Ohio) and Taylor Nelson (Cal Poly, Granite Bay, California each scored one point.
Libero Brittany Witt (Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton University) handled 22 of the team's 97 receptions with a 45 positive reception percent.
All 12 players on the CNT-Thailand roster started at least two sets.
The U.S. out-blocked the National Team 17-8 for the match, and held a 63-54 advantage in kills. The Americans converted 46 percent of their attacks with a .326 hitting efficiency. The U.S. held the Thai squad to a .186 hitting efficiency. The Americans held a slim 9-8 margin in aces.
The U.S. squad's match with Bangkok Glass Professional Team on May 24 has been canceled. The tour concludes with matches with the Thai National team on May 25 and May 29 with both matches at 4 p.m. Thai Time at the FIVB Development Center in Bangkok.
Name (Position, School, Height, College Eligibility Remaining, Hometown)
Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani (OPP, University of Texas, 6-4, 2, Los Angeles, California)
Kaz Brown (M, University of Kentucky, 6-4, 1, Waterloo, Iowa)
Taylor Hughes (S, Ohio State University, 2, 6-1, Carroll, Ohio)
Lily Johnson (OH, Missouri State University, 5-11, 1, Wildwood, Missouri)
Morgan Johnson (M, University of Texas, 6-3, 2, DeSoto, Texas)
Taylor Nelson (S, Cal Poly, 1, 6-0, Granite Bay, California)
Chiaka Ogbogu (M, University of Texas, 6-2, 1, Coppell, Texas)
Madison Ridgon (OH, University of Kansas, 6-0, 1, Pflugerville, Texas)
Jordan Thompson (OPP, University of Cincinnati, 2, 6-4, Edina, Minnesota)
Micaya White (OH, University of Texas, 6-1, 3, Frisco, Texas)
Brittany Witt (L, Creighton University, 5-8, 3, Omaha, Nebraska)
McKenna Woodford (OH, Washington State University, 6-4, 2, Chandler, Arizona)
Head Coach: Jerritt Elliott (head coach at University of Texas)
Assistant Coach: Paula Weishoff (head coach at University of Concordia Irvine)
Assistant Coach: Alyssa D'Errico (assistant coach at University of Dayton)
"I'm not really sure where my day started, or when it ended but what I do know is that after a 3 hour practice in LA, a 6 hour waiting period, a red-eye 14 hour flight to Hong Kong (where both dinner AND breakfast were served on the plane), and another 2 and a half hour flight, we finally ended up here, in Bangkok, Thailand where the time was 11 a.m. and our day was only beginning. We grabbed some lunch before heading off to practice, then ate dinner and tried desperately to keep ourselves from falling dead asleep at 7 p.m. Yes, the leg space is limited, travel is long, the heat and humidity is intense, the gym could very well be a hot yoga studio, tap water is not quite drinkable, rolls of toilet paper are hard to come by, and my inner body clock is all sorts of messed up, but I am loving every minute of it. Travel is not always luxurious or relaxing or anything close to what many would consider "a vacation," but as I've been told, the most growth occurs when we learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And I am so grateful for another opportunity to expand my horizons and embrace what is unfamiliar. Trips like this are very humbling and remind me of how fortunate I am to have what I have and to be here experiencing all of this. Not to mention what an honor it is to be representing the USA with a great group of highly talented volleyball players and staff from around the country who have already challenged my level of play and pushed me to make changes. Our first match is in 4 hours, Go Cougs and go USA!!" ~ McKenna Woodford
MATCH RECAPS FROM USA VOLLEYBALL
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 22, 2017) – The U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team - Thailand Tour (CNT-Thailand) opened its five-match competition schedule in Bangkok with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-22, 26-24, 15-10 loss to Supreme, the champions of the Thai professional league that includes several Thai national team players and two foreigners. The match was scheduled for five sets instead of the typical best-of-five format.
Opposite Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani (Los Angeles, California, University of Texas) tallied a team-best 13 points with nine kills on 24 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Middle Chiaka Ogbogu (Coppell, Texas, University of Texas) added 10 points with six kills on 12 errorless attacks and a team-leading four blocks. Middle Kaz Brown (Waterloo, Iowa, University of Kentucky) contributed nine points with six kills on 12 swings and three blocks.
Middle Morgan Johnson (DeSoto, Texas, University of Texas) pocketed seven points with four kills, two aces and a block. Outside Madison Rigdon (Pflugerville, Texas, University of Kansas) was credited with six kills on 19 attacks and an ace for seven points. Opposite Jordan Thompson (Edina, Minnesota, University of Cincinnati) tallied five kills, one block and one ace for seven points.
Outside hitter Micaya White (Frisco, Texas, University of Texas), outside hitter McKenna Woodford (Chandler, Arizona, Washington State University) and outside hitter Lily Johnson (Wildwood, Missouri, Missouri State University) all tallied six points each. Setter Taylor Hughes (Carroll, Ohio, Ohio State University) tallied five points, and setter Taylor Nelson (Granite Bay, California, Cal Poly) rounded out the scoring with a block.
Libero Brittany Witt (Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton University) handled 21 of the team's 107 receptions with a 62 positive reception percent.
All 12 players on the CNT-Thailand roster started at least two sets.
The U.S. out-blocked Supreme 15-6 for the match. Supreme took advantage of the CNT-Thailand team's struggles in passing. Supreme tallied 12 aces as the Americans held a 51 positive reception percent on 107 reception chances.
The CNT-Thailand team will face the Thai National Team on May 23. The U.S. squad will face Bangkok Glass Professional Team on May 24 before wrapping up the tour challenging the Thai National Team on May 25 and May 29. All matches are scheduled for 4 p.m. Thai Time and held at the FIVB Development Center in Bangkok.
Athletes on the CNT-Thailand roster were selected through the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held March 3-5 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Two other CNT programs are being held this summer, including one on a tour of Europe and the other training and competing in Minneapolis.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 23, 2017) – The U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team – Thailand Tour (CNT-Thailand) defeated the Thai National Team 22-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 15-10 on Tuesday in Bangkok as part of its training and competition tour.
Athletes on the CNT-Thailand roster were selected through the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held March 3-5 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Two other CNT programs are being held this summer, including one on a tour of Europe and the other training and competing in Minneapolis.
Opposite Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani (University of Texas, Los Angeles) tallied a team-best 19 points in starting the first two sets and subbing into the fifth set. She compiled 17 kills on 30 attacks and two blocks. Opposite Jordan Thompson (University of Cincinnati, Edina, Minnesota) turned in 12 points with 10 kills on 19 attacks with just one error, while adding two blocks. Middle Chiaka Ogbogu (University of Texas, Coppell, Texas) contributed 12 points with eight kills on 15 errorless attacks, three aces and a block.
Outside hitter Micaya White (University of Texas, Frisco, Texas) pocketed 10 points with six kills on 13 errorless attacks to go with two aces and two blocks. Madison Rigdon (University of Kansas, Pflugerville, Texas) tallied six kills on 14 swings and three blocks for nine points. Middle Morgan Johnson (University of Texas, DeSoto, Texas) tacked on nine points with five kills on nine errorless attacks, three blocks and an ace.
Outside hitter Lily Johnson (Missouri State University, Wildwood, Missouri) totaled seven points with kills on 15 attacks and two blocks. Outside hitter McKenna Woodford (Washington State University, Chandler, Arizona) scored four kills on 12 errorless attacks and an ace for five points. Middle Kaz Brown (University of Kentucky, Waterloo, Iowa) chalked up four points with two aces, one block and one kill. Setters Taylor Hughes (Ohio State University, Carroll, Ohio) and Taylor Nelson (Cal Poly, Granite Bay, California each scored one point.
Libero Brittany Witt (Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton University) handled 22 of the team's 97 receptions with a 45 positive reception percent.
All 12 players on the CNT-Thailand roster started at least two sets.
The U.S. out-blocked the National Team 17-8 for the match, and held a 63-54 advantage in kills. The Americans converted 46 percent of their attacks with a .326 hitting efficiency. The U.S. held the Thai squad to a .186 hitting efficiency. The Americans held a slim 9-8 margin in aces.
The U.S. squad's match with Bangkok Glass Professional Team on May 24 has been canceled. The tour concludes with matches with the Thai National team on May 25 and May 29 with both matches at 4 p.m. Thai Time at the FIVB Development Center in Bangkok.
Name (Position, School, Height, College Eligibility Remaining, Hometown)
Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani (OPP, University of Texas, 6-4, 2, Los Angeles, California)
Kaz Brown (M, University of Kentucky, 6-4, 1, Waterloo, Iowa)
Taylor Hughes (S, Ohio State University, 2, 6-1, Carroll, Ohio)
Lily Johnson (OH, Missouri State University, 5-11, 1, Wildwood, Missouri)
Morgan Johnson (M, University of Texas, 6-3, 2, DeSoto, Texas)
Taylor Nelson (S, Cal Poly, 1, 6-0, Granite Bay, California)
Chiaka Ogbogu (M, University of Texas, 6-2, 1, Coppell, Texas)
Madison Ridgon (OH, University of Kansas, 6-0, 1, Pflugerville, Texas)
Jordan Thompson (OPP, University of Cincinnati, 2, 6-4, Edina, Minnesota)
Micaya White (OH, University of Texas, 6-1, 3, Frisco, Texas)
Brittany Witt (L, Creighton University, 5-8, 3, Omaha, Nebraska)
McKenna Woodford (OH, Washington State University, 6-4, 2, Chandler, Arizona)
Head Coach: Jerritt Elliott (head coach at University of Texas)
Assistant Coach: Paula Weishoff (head coach at University of Concordia Irvine)
Assistant Coach: Alyssa D'Errico (assistant coach at University of Dayton)