Issue date: 6/29/09 Section: News

Sophomore libero and outside hitter Kelsey Black is playing for the U.S. women's junior national team while preparing for the upcoming season. [Click to enlarge]

Senior Sarah Ammerman spikes the ball in a 3-1 loss to Texas in October. Ammerman played for the U.S. Women's National A2 Blue team in May. [Click to enlarge]

As the Texas A&M volleyball team waits for its opportunity to end its three-year hiatus from the NCAA tournament, sophomore libero/outside hitter Kelsey Black and senior outside hitter Sarah Ammerman have had the opportunity to spend their offseason playing for various U.S. National teams.

In a freshman campaign where libero duties were placed upon her mid-season, Kelsey Black took the opportunity in stride. Now, she's getting the opportunity to play for the U.S. Women's Junior team at the FIVB World Championships in Mexico starting July 16.


Black, recruited as an outside hitter, will be in competition with Pepperdine's Lilla Frederick for the libero position on the squad. However, the consensus seems to be that whoever doesn't win the spot will see time at outside.

To Black's benefit, Aggie assistant coach John Corbelli will be along for the ride.

"It'll be nice to have someone with an understanding of my game," Black said. "It makes the learning process smoother."

Black, who averaged three digs per set in Big 12 play last season and led the team with four 20-plus dig matches, is looking at the next couple of weeks as an opportunity to improve all facets of her game for fall.

"I really want to improve my serve-receive," Black said. "I want to pick up my serving as well and figure out some ways to get around the block."

Ammerman earned a spot on the U.S. Women's National A2 Blue team. That spot allowed her to win a bronze medal at the USA Adult Volleyball Championships in Minnesota in May. It was the second consecutive time for her to earn the spot, and it was also the second consecutive time that she won a bronze medal.

"I was in volleyball heaven," Ammerman said. "I was able to compare my style to other player's styles and mold my game into something similar."

With her heavenly experience over, Ammerman is now able to concentrate on the upcoming season, her last in Aggieland. Her junior year was one of many accomplishments. Ammerman was awarded A&M's MVP and Best Offensive Player awards. She was also seventh in the conference in both kills and points and was an honorable mention all-conference selection. However, personal accolades aside, the three big tournaments in a row are at the forefront of her mind, and fall can't get here soon enough.

"The goal is to win the Big 12, get to the NCAAs, and make a deep run," Ammerman said.

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