Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 15, 2018) – Karsta Lowe, a 2016 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, has made the decision to rejoin the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team after taking a break to focus on her master’s degree at the University of Southern California.
Lowe, a 6-4 opposite, played a vital role coming off the bench during the 2016 Rio Games, contributing 41 points and delivering standout performances against Serbia and Italy. After her time away from the program, she expressed her longing for the competition and physical challenges that come with being an athlete.
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“I truly enjoyed my coursework at USC, but I missed the energetic atmosphere and level of competition that volleyball provides,” Lowe said. “The USA 6 vs. 6 practice play is incomparable to anything else I’ve experienced. The energy and competition are unrivaled.”
Lowe made her debut with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2015 during the USA Volleyball Cup matches against China and quickly made an impact, helping the team secure gold at the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix. She was named the tournament’s most valuable player, an impressive achievement for her first representation of Team USA.
“We are delighted to welcome Karsta back to our program,” said U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly. “During her previous tenure, Karsta demonstrated the potential to become an exceptional international opposite. After spending time reflecting on her priorities, she is now ready to resume her journey of growth and development in the sport.”
Lowe sought advice from former teammates and discussed her decision at length with Coach Kiraly before committing to rejoin the squad. She has been training diligently since early May and is ready to face the physical challenges that lie ahead.
“When making the decision to return to the team, I consulted with some former teammates and had extensive conversations with Karch,” Lowe revealed. “After careful consideration, the plan was set into motion. I’ve been training since May 4, and I haven’t looked back. The physical training has been demanding, as expected.”
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Lowe believes that she still has room for improvement in volleyball and is eager to contribute to the success of the U.S. Women’s Team in any way possible.
“When I left the team after the Rio Olympics, I felt like I hadn’t reached my full potential,” Lowe explained. “This time around, I want to see how much I can improve and do everything I can to help the team win the gold in Tokyo. Of course, making the roster is a challenge, but I’m excited and prepared for whatever lies ahead.”
Lowe has also played a significant role in the team’s success, including winning bronze at the 2015 FIVB World Cup and capturing gold at the 2015 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship.
Before representing Team USA, Lowe was selected as an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America First-Team member during her senior year at UCLA. Despite initially being a walk-on athlete without a scholarship, she quickly developed into a top player during her college career.
Lowe has put her pursuit of a master’s degree in landscape architecture on hold for now, focusing on her ability to compete at an elite level in international volleyball.
“While I may eventually finish my master’s degree, if I am physically capable of competing at a high level internationally, I am willing to postpone those plans,” Lowe asserted.
The U.S. Women’s Team will participate in the 17th Annual Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where they will face strong teams from NORCECA and South America. Group B will include matches against Trinidad & Tobago (July 8), Cuba (July 9), and Puerto Rico (July 10). The tournament will conclude on July 14 with the final classification matches.
As part of their preparation for the Pan American Cup, the U.S. Women’s Team will hold a Red-Blue intrasquad scrimmage on June 22 at 7 p.m. at Irvine Valley College. The match will showcase players vying for spots on the Pan American Cup roster. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5, one hour before the match.
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The final roster for the Pan American Cup will be announced by USA Volleyball at the end of June.
FAQs
Q: What are Karsta Lowe’s achievements in volleyball?
Karsta Lowe is a 2016 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist and a valuable member of the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team. She played a crucial role during the 2016 Rio Games, contributing 41 points and delivering standout performances against Serbia and Italy.
Q: Why did Karsta Lowe decide to return to the U.S. Women’s National Team?
After taking a break to focus on her master’s degree at the University of Southern California, Lowe expressed her longing for the competition and physical challenges that come with being an athlete. She missed the energetic atmosphere and level of competition that volleyball provides.
Q: What is Karsta Lowe’s goal for her return to the U.S. Women’s National Team?
Karsta Lowe aims to continue her growth and development in volleyball. She believes she still has room for improvement and is determined to contribute to the team’s success, with a focus on winning the gold at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Conclusion
Karsta Lowe’s decision to return to the U.S. Women’s National Team is a significant development for both her and the team. With her past achievements and determination to excel further, Lowe brings a valuable skill set and a strong competitive spirit. Her return adds depth and talent to the team’s roster, increasing their chances of success in future tournaments. Volleyball fans eagerly await her comeback and look forward to seeing her continued growth and contributions to the sport. To learn more about Karsta Lowe and her journey, visit Alpinetgheep.
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Danh mục: Volleyball
