Fisher to Coach Fairbanks with U.S. Women’s U21 National Training Team
5/3/2022 1:00:00 PM | Volleyball
Pitt Volleyball Head Coach to Direct 20-Player Roster
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Pittsburgh volleyball head coach Dan Fisher will coach rising sophomore setter Rachel Fairbanks as he leads the U.S. Women's U21 National Team in May and June.
"I am honored to be asked to lead the U.S. Women's U21 National Training Team this year," Fisher said. "I'm grateful for the trust that Karch Kiraly and USA Volleyball is putting in me and my staff. I'm excited to work with some of the best players in the United States in this age group and to represent this country with pride."
Fisher's team will train May 26-June 4 at Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport. Twelve players will be chosen to compete at the 2022 Women's U21 Pan American Cup on June 5-13 in Mexico.
While training in Shreveport, the team will spend time with the U.S. Women's National Team as it prepares for and competes in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
"What an opportunity it will be for all of us to train around some of the best volleyball players in the world," Fisher said.
The year 2022 marks Fisher's sixth coaching stint with USA Volleyball over the last decade. For the last two years he was selected to lead the U.S. Women's U20 National Team. Most recently, in July 2021, Fisher guided the U20 team to fifth place at the FIVB U20 World Championship in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Kortrijk, Belgium, finishing with a 6-2 record as the top non-European competitor.
Fairbanks' selection to the U21 National Training Team is the first of her career. The 6-foot setter/hitter combo recently competed her freshman campaign where she earned a starting role during the Panthers' 2021 NCAA National Semifinal run. The Tustin, Calif., native garnered a selection to the Pittsburgh NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team, as voted on by media. She recorded two double-doubles during the NCAA Tournament, with the first coming in the Second Round against Penn State (27 assists, season-best 12 digs) and the second with season-best totals of 10 kills and 28 assists in the Regional Final against Purdue (Dec. 11).
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"I am honored to be asked to lead the U.S. Women's U21 National Training Team this year," Fisher said. "I'm grateful for the trust that Karch Kiraly and USA Volleyball is putting in me and my staff. I'm excited to work with some of the best players in the United States in this age group and to represent this country with pride."
Fisher's team will train May 26-June 4 at Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport. Twelve players will be chosen to compete at the 2022 Women's U21 Pan American Cup on June 5-13 in Mexico.
While training in Shreveport, the team will spend time with the U.S. Women's National Team as it prepares for and competes in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
"What an opportunity it will be for all of us to train around some of the best volleyball players in the world," Fisher said.
The year 2022 marks Fisher's sixth coaching stint with USA Volleyball over the last decade. For the last two years he was selected to lead the U.S. Women's U20 National Team. Most recently, in July 2021, Fisher guided the U20 team to fifth place at the FIVB U20 World Championship in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Kortrijk, Belgium, finishing with a 6-2 record as the top non-European competitor.
Fairbanks' selection to the U21 National Training Team is the first of her career. The 6-foot setter/hitter combo recently competed her freshman campaign where she earned a starting role during the Panthers' 2021 NCAA National Semifinal run. The Tustin, Calif., native garnered a selection to the Pittsburgh NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team, as voted on by media. She recorded two double-doubles during the NCAA Tournament, with the first coming in the Second Round against Penn State (27 assists, season-best 12 digs) and the second with season-best totals of 10 kills and 28 assists in the Regional Final against Purdue (Dec. 11).
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