June 4, 2009
RUSTE LANDS SPOT ON NATIONAL WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM
LONDON, Ont. - Women's volleyball libero and purple blanket winner Andrea Ruste has been named one of four liberos selected to be a part of the Canadian senior women's national teams.
Following a selection camp in late May, 30 players were named for the senior women's indoor A and B national teams. These players will form Canadian teams which will compete at two events over the summer: qualification for the world championship in 2010 and competition at the FISU games in Belgrade, Serbia, July 1-12.
Members of this group will also be considered for Canada's qualification entry for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England.
"It is a really exciting opportunity to have been selected and it's a privilege to train with this talented group of athletes and such a knowledgeable coaching staff," said Ruste. "The selection camp was a tough week both physically and mentally, so I really have to thank everyone at Western who helped me prepare for it."
"I'm looking forward to learning and improving and just trying to make the most of this experience."
In mid June, athletes will be selected for either the Senior A or B National Team programs.
Those selected for the Senior A Team will train throughout the summer with the main objective of qualifying for the 2010 World Championship. The senior women’s team will be competing in an exhibition series against Peru from June 9-12 in Winnipeg as well as the Pan Am Cup in Miami, Florida, from June 26 - July 4, before heading to the World Championship Qualification event in Puerto Rico from July 8-10.
The team will then continue training for the 2009 NORCECA Championship which is scheduled for Sept. 20-28 in Puerto Rico.
Athletes selected to the FISU team will train together through to the end of June when they will depart for the World Universiade Games in Belgrade, Serbia from July 1-12.
Western's head coach Dean Lowrie said "this is a proud day for Western and one of the truly great people to touch our program."
"First and foremost, the entire team is really proud of Andrea," Lowrie said. "She is the perfect representative of our program. She is a good student, a great person and a great volleyball player."
"Two years ago Andrea and her teammates made a commitment to change the culture of our program. And as a group, they have been putting in the time and effort to be on the same stage as all the national powerhouses. The wins in league and against Top 10 teams have come and I think we will soon be rewarded with another provincial championship."
"Andrea's selection to the national team is very rewarding for her and the program, and shows that if we can get the right people in our program, we can successfully compete at the national level."
Lowrie passed along congratulations to Western's strength and conditioning coach Jeff Watson. He said Canada's national team coach, Arnd (Lupo) Ludwig, commented on how physically prepared Ruste was and that he really liked her passing platform.
"During her selection meeting with the new national team coach, he mentioned that he was very happy with her physical and technical preparation for the camp," Lowrie said. "It just confirms what we already know and that is what a difference Jeff Watson has made to the athletic programs here at Western."
Source: Western Mustangs
Photo Credit: Michael P. Hall
Following a selection camp in late May, 30 players were named for the senior women's indoor A and B national teams. These players will form Canadian teams which will compete at two events over the summer: qualification for the world championship in 2010 and competition at the FISU games in Belgrade, Serbia, July 1-12.
Members of this group will also be considered for Canada's qualification entry for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England.
"It is a really exciting opportunity to have been selected and it's a privilege to train with this talented group of athletes and such a knowledgeable coaching staff," said Ruste. "The selection camp was a tough week both physically and mentally, so I really have to thank everyone at Western who helped me prepare for it."
"I'm looking forward to learning and improving and just trying to make the most of this experience."
In mid June, athletes will be selected for either the Senior A or B National Team programs.
Those selected for the Senior A Team will train throughout the summer with the main objective of qualifying for the 2010 World Championship. The senior women’s team will be competing in an exhibition series against Peru from June 9-12 in Winnipeg as well as the Pan Am Cup in Miami, Florida, from June 26 - July 4, before heading to the World Championship Qualification event in Puerto Rico from July 8-10.
The team will then continue training for the 2009 NORCECA Championship which is scheduled for Sept. 20-28 in Puerto Rico.
Athletes selected to the FISU team will train together through to the end of June when they will depart for the World Universiade Games in Belgrade, Serbia from July 1-12.
Western's head coach Dean Lowrie said "this is a proud day for Western and one of the truly great people to touch our program."
"First and foremost, the entire team is really proud of Andrea," Lowrie said. "She is the perfect representative of our program. She is a good student, a great person and a great volleyball player."
"Two years ago Andrea and her teammates made a commitment to change the culture of our program. And as a group, they have been putting in the time and effort to be on the same stage as all the national powerhouses. The wins in league and against Top 10 teams have come and I think we will soon be rewarded with another provincial championship."
"Andrea's selection to the national team is very rewarding for her and the program, and shows that if we can get the right people in our program, we can successfully compete at the national level."
Lowrie passed along congratulations to Western's strength and conditioning coach Jeff Watson. He said Canada's national team coach, Arnd (Lupo) Ludwig, commented on how physically prepared Ruste was and that he really liked her passing platform.
"During her selection meeting with the new national team coach, he mentioned that he was very happy with her physical and technical preparation for the camp," Lowrie said. "It just confirms what we already know and that is what a difference Jeff Watson has made to the athletic programs here at Western."
Source: Western Mustangs
Photo Credit: Michael P. Hall
