April 17, 2013
STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford freshman middle blocker Inky Ajanaku will join 11 other Pac-12 players on a conference all-star team heading to China in June 2013, the conference announced today. Leading the trip will be USC women's volleyball coach and 2011 Pac-12 Coach of the Year Mick Haley.
As a freshman, Ajanaku earned AVCA All-America honorable mention honors, was an AVCA All-Pacific Region selection and an All-Pac-12 First Team pick. Also a member of the All-Pac-12 Freshman Team, the Tulsa, Okla., native started 24 matches for the Cardinal in 2012, averaging 2.42 kills per set and 1.23 blocks per set. She ranked third in the Pac-12 and 28th nationally with a .374 hitting percentage and was twice named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (Oct. 15 & Oct. 29).
The summer all-star team will play at least six matches against Chinese Professional Club Teams over two weeks in Beijing and Shanghai. Joining Haley on the coaching staff are fellow Pac-12 coaches Beth Launiere (Utah) and Jen Greeny (Washington State) who will serve as his assistant coaches on the trip.
In addition to the matches, the student-athletes will enjoy cultural and sightseeing visits in China at the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and other attractions.
"This type of tour can be a transformative moment for our student-athletes," said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. "In addition to the competition on the court, they will return to their teams with a meaningful life experience of visiting another country and learning more about another culture."
Competition against Chinese teams competition is not new for Pac-12 women's volleyball players. Stanford was one of four conference teams to host the Jiangsu Volleyball Team from Nanjing, China, one of the leading professional volleyball teams in China, for an exhibition match during the 2012 season. Additionally, current Stanford players Lydia Bai, Mary Ellen Luck, Rachel Williams and Carly Wopat were a part of the Stanford team which toured China in June 2011.
"I think, certainly, our Pac-12 athletes and the Conference will benefit from the competition and the cultural exchange," said Haley. "What's exciting about this trip is the experience of new foods, different rules, differing styles of play and of course the opportunity to make new friends. The quality of play in China should be exceptional. China has over 100,000 club teams and university teams that play in leagues all over the country. Chinese fans are extremely loyal with a great national spirit for competition."
This summer's All-Star team was selected by the coaching staff and Pac-12 liaison, and includes two setters, one libero, three middle blockers, and six outside hitters from Pac-12 teams. The team features some of the top talent in the country and features two freshmen, five sophomores, four juniors and one senior.
2013 Pac-12 Volleyball All-Star Roster
Inky Ajanaku, middle blocker (Stanford)
Liz Brenner, outside hitter (Oregon)
Hayley Crone, setter (USC)
Shelby Dalton, outside hitter (Utah)
Kelcey Dunaway, middle blocker (Washington)
Macey Gardner, outside hitter (Arizona State)
Marcelina Glab, middle hitter (Washington State)
Natalie Hagglund, libero (USC)
Madi Kingdon, outside hitter (Arizona)
Arica Nassar, outside hitter/middle blocker (Oregon State)
Lauren Plum, setter (Oregon)
Kelly Reeves, outside hitter (UCLA)
Head Coach: Mick Haley, USC
Assistant Coaches: Jen Greeny, Washington State & Beth Launiere, Utah