Four Kansas players to U.S. volleyball tryouts

Four Jayhawks will represent the University of Kansas during the annual U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryouts, Feb. 19-21 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Sophomore All-American setter Ainise Havili, sophomore All-American right-side hitter Kelsie Payne, junior libero Cassie Wait, and sophomore outside hitter Madison Rigdon will tryout with approximately 231 student-athletes from 88 colleges from across the country for spots on the U.S. Women’s National Team and the U.S. Collegiate National Team program.

“This is a great opportunity for our Jayhawks to be around the USA Volleyball coaches and some of the most elite players in the country,” Kansas head coach Ray Bechard said. “Even though it is a short time, they will be able to improve their game and seek a potential future in representing our country on the court.”

Havili, Payne, Wait and Rigdon were all starters on KU’s 2015 squad that reached its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Final Four.