Alhassan, Holston and Joseph start play in the Dominican Republic Sunday. Team Canada will play Colombia, while Team USA takes on Peru.
Trio of Gators Look to Make Their Mark at Pan Am Cup in DR
Thursday, June 30, 2016 | Volleyball
Rhamat Alhassan, Alex Holston and Shainah Joseph will play in the Pan Am Cup in the Dominican Republic July 2-10.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida middle Rhamat Alhassan and opposite Alex Holston are two of 12 athletes set to represent the United States on the U.S. Women's National Team at the Pan Am Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 2-10.
But that's not all: Gator Shainah Joseph is on Team Canada's senior squad and will represent Volleyball Canada in the Dominican Republic next week as well, totaling three current Florida Gators playing in the elite event. Former Gator Great Aury Cruz, who helped guide Puerto Rico to its first-ever Olympic berth, will also play in the week-long event for PR in the Dominican.
"Besides representing their countries, which alone would be a highlight in anyone's playing career, these three have the opportunity to enhance their future both as Gators and professionally afterwards," said Florida head coach Mary Wise.
Alhassan will keep Gator Nation posted on happenings in the Dominican Republic on her blog. Give it a follow to keep up with the Gators.
"Training has been going great," USA Pan Am Cup coach Dan Fisher said. "We have a lot of players who are new to the USA system, and so there has been a fast learning curve. We are going to get to learn a lot about some younger players for the future of USA Volleyball with this tournament."
The US squad is part of the six-team Pool B with Argentina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Peru and Trinidad & Tobago, while Joseph and Team Canada are in Pool A with Colombia, host Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Play starts Sunday for both teams. Canada will play Colombia at 2 p.m., followed by USA and Peru at 4 p.m. ET.
IN THE GATORS' WORDS
Rhamat Alhassan
"Making this roster and having the opportunity to represent my country in the Pan Am Cup means a lot to me. It is definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to my volleyball goals. What makes it even better is the people that I get to share this great experience with; and we can't forget about Shaïnah also playing for Team Canada. We have talked over the summer and are so excited to play each other and have a good time in the Dominican Republic. Go Gators!"
Alex Holston
"I am so proud to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Cup. I can't even describe how fun it is to play with so many elite-level athletes every single day. Every drill is so competitive and everyone gives their all on literally every play. Having Rhamat here with me makes it all the more better. After spending almost two weeks in California, we are super excited to travel to the Dominican Republic this week – and we'll get to see Shainah. USA Volleyball has taken both of us to some pretty awesome places and the Pan Am Cup in the Dominican Republic is no exception."
Shainah Joseph
"Playing for the Canadian National Team is a great experience and opportunity. It was always my dream to be on the team and to represent my country. This summer I've not only made the team, but I've also earned some playing time. I'm playing volleyball at one of the highest levels against great athletes that I looked up to growing up. What makes it even more amazing and exciting is that I get to share that same experience with my teammates Rhamat and Alex, but we are playing for our own countries. Team Canada is a young and new team, so it has been interesting and exciting to see our different playing styles and personalities meshing together as one team."
The United States has won the Pan American Cup three of the past four years and four total times since the inaugural event in 2002.
Team Canada & Team USA Pool Play Schedule
July 2: Canada vs. Colombia, 2 p.m. | USA vs. Peru, 4 p.m.
July 3: Canada vs. Venezuela, 4 p.m. | USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 4 p.m.
July 4: Canada vs. Puerto Rico, 4 p.m. | USA vs. Cuba, 6 p.m.
July 5: Canada vs. Dominican Republic, 8 p.m. | USA vs. Costa Rica, 4 p.m.
July 6: Canada vs. Mexico, 4 p.m. | USA vs Argentina, 6 p.m.
July 8: Quarterfinals
July 9: Semifinals
July 10: Medal Round
Team USA 12-Player Roster
1 - Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, West Aurora, Illinois, University of Wisconsin)
3 - Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Oklahoma, Penn State)
4 - Megan Courtney (OH, 6-1, Dayton, Ohio, Penn State)
5 - Brittany Howard (OH, 6-3, Los Altos, California, Stanford University)
6 - Madi Kingdon (OH, 6-1, Phoenix, Arizona, University of Arizona)
7 - Taylor Simpson (OH, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colorado, University of Colorado)
10 - Alex Holston (OPP, 6-1, Olney, Maryland, University of Florida)
11 - Nikki Taylor (OPP, 6-3, Honolulu, Hawaii, University of Hawaii)
12 – Carly Wopat (MB, 6-2, Santa Barbara, California, Stanford University)
13 - Rhamat Alhassan (M, 6-4, Glenarden, Maryland, University of Florida)
14 - Kelsie Payne (M, 6-3, Austin, Texas, University of Kansas)
22 - Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, California, University of Nebraska)
Head Coach: Dan Fisher (University of Pittsburgh)
Assistant Coach: Heather Olmstead (BYU)
Assistant Coach/Team Leader: Jon Newman-Gonchar (University of Arkansas)
Scout: Tristan Johnson (Arkansas State University)
Athletic Trainer: Peter Higbie
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FloridaGators.com
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Coach Mary Wise on Twitter | Coach Mary Wise on Instagram
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But that's not all: Gator Shainah Joseph is on Team Canada's senior squad and will represent Volleyball Canada in the Dominican Republic next week as well, totaling three current Florida Gators playing in the elite event. Former Gator Great Aury Cruz, who helped guide Puerto Rico to its first-ever Olympic berth, will also play in the week-long event for PR in the Dominican.
"Besides representing their countries, which alone would be a highlight in anyone's playing career, these three have the opportunity to enhance their future both as Gators and professionally afterwards," said Florida head coach Mary Wise.
Alhassan will keep Gator Nation posted on happenings in the Dominican Republic on her blog. Give it a follow to keep up with the Gators.
"Training has been going great," USA Pan Am Cup coach Dan Fisher said. "We have a lot of players who are new to the USA system, and so there has been a fast learning curve. We are going to get to learn a lot about some younger players for the future of USA Volleyball with this tournament."
The US squad is part of the six-team Pool B with Argentina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Peru and Trinidad & Tobago, while Joseph and Team Canada are in Pool A with Colombia, host Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Play starts Sunday for both teams. Canada will play Colombia at 2 p.m., followed by USA and Peru at 4 p.m. ET.
IN THE GATORS' WORDS
Rhamat Alhassan
"Making this roster and having the opportunity to represent my country in the Pan Am Cup means a lot to me. It is definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to my volleyball goals. What makes it even better is the people that I get to share this great experience with; and we can't forget about Shaïnah also playing for Team Canada. We have talked over the summer and are so excited to play each other and have a good time in the Dominican Republic. Go Gators!"
Alex Holston
"I am so proud to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Cup. I can't even describe how fun it is to play with so many elite-level athletes every single day. Every drill is so competitive and everyone gives their all on literally every play. Having Rhamat here with me makes it all the more better. After spending almost two weeks in California, we are super excited to travel to the Dominican Republic this week – and we'll get to see Shainah. USA Volleyball has taken both of us to some pretty awesome places and the Pan Am Cup in the Dominican Republic is no exception."
Shainah Joseph
"Playing for the Canadian National Team is a great experience and opportunity. It was always my dream to be on the team and to represent my country. This summer I've not only made the team, but I've also earned some playing time. I'm playing volleyball at one of the highest levels against great athletes that I looked up to growing up. What makes it even more amazing and exciting is that I get to share that same experience with my teammates Rhamat and Alex, but we are playing for our own countries. Team Canada is a young and new team, so it has been interesting and exciting to see our different playing styles and personalities meshing together as one team."
The United States has won the Pan American Cup three of the past four years and four total times since the inaugural event in 2002.
Team Canada & Team USA Pool Play Schedule
July 2: Canada vs. Colombia, 2 p.m. | USA vs. Peru, 4 p.m.
July 3: Canada vs. Venezuela, 4 p.m. | USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 4 p.m.
July 4: Canada vs. Puerto Rico, 4 p.m. | USA vs. Cuba, 6 p.m.
July 5: Canada vs. Dominican Republic, 8 p.m. | USA vs. Costa Rica, 4 p.m.
July 6: Canada vs. Mexico, 4 p.m. | USA vs Argentina, 6 p.m.
July 8: Quarterfinals
July 9: Semifinals
July 10: Medal Round
Team USA 12-Player Roster
1 - Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, West Aurora, Illinois, University of Wisconsin)
3 - Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Oklahoma, Penn State)
4 - Megan Courtney (OH, 6-1, Dayton, Ohio, Penn State)
5 - Brittany Howard (OH, 6-3, Los Altos, California, Stanford University)
6 - Madi Kingdon (OH, 6-1, Phoenix, Arizona, University of Arizona)
7 - Taylor Simpson (OH, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colorado, University of Colorado)
10 - Alex Holston (OPP, 6-1, Olney, Maryland, University of Florida)
11 - Nikki Taylor (OPP, 6-3, Honolulu, Hawaii, University of Hawaii)
12 – Carly Wopat (MB, 6-2, Santa Barbara, California, Stanford University)
13 - Rhamat Alhassan (M, 6-4, Glenarden, Maryland, University of Florida)
14 - Kelsie Payne (M, 6-3, Austin, Texas, University of Kansas)
22 - Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, California, University of Nebraska)
Head Coach: Dan Fisher (University of Pittsburgh)
Assistant Coach: Heather Olmstead (BYU)
Assistant Coach/Team Leader: Jon Newman-Gonchar (University of Arkansas)
Scout: Tristan Johnson (Arkansas State University)
Athletic Trainer: Peter Higbie
FOLLOW THE GATORS
FloridaGators.com
Coach Mary Wise on Twitter | Coach Mary Wise on Instagram
Players Mentioned
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