Wingate's Abernathy and Schaff selected to represent USA in European Global Challenge
Santa Barbara, Calif.---- Bring It Promotions, LLC has selected 11 student-athletes, including Wingate University rising juniors Anne Abernathy and Sophie Schaff to compete with the U23 BIP All-Star Team in the 2019 European Global Challenge, taking place July 16-19 in Croatia. Abernathy and Schaff now give the Bulldogs 19 players who have traveled internationally to play volleyball since 2011.
The tour of Europe will begin July 10 and go through July 21. It will begin in Budapest, Hungary where the team will have four days to spend site seeing, practicing and training with the top teams in Hungary. That is followed with a journey to Maribor, Slovenia where the teams will have another opportunity to train and play against local teams.
The squad travels to Pula, Croatia for the Global Challenge Opening ceremonies. The four-day tournament will then begin on July 16 and will feature national-select teams from the United States as well as junior national teams and elite women's club teams from all across Europe.
"I am so pleased that Anne and Sophie will be making this trip in July," head coach Shelton Collier says. "It is an awesome opportunity for them to compete internationally, while at the same time have a special cultural experience. We have had so many players make this trip over the years, and in each case they had an exceptional experience in addition to having a unique opportunity to prepare for the fall season."
Abernathy on traveling to Europe for the Global Challenge:
"I am very excited to have this opportunity to play in Europe and even more excited to be able to do it with Sophie. I can't wait to be there and experience everything. What a great opportunity for both of us."
Schaff on traveling to Europe for the Global Challenge:
"I'm super excited to have the chance to compete with these girls, especially Anne. Having her back with us this summer and this upcoming season will be awesome! I'm looking forward to playing at a high level and learning from different players and coaches in this experience!"
Wingate Volleyball International Experience:
Abernathy and Schaff join a long list of Wingate players that have competed overseas in international competitions. Phoebe Havenaarand Treslyn Ortiz were a part of the 2018 European Global Challenge last summer. Kimberly Hovey was a part of the 2017 Global Challenge, while Rachel Lods, Rachael Cecka and Anna Holmquist competed in the 2016 tournament. Katie Bludau participated in the same event in 2015. Abby Saehler and Kori Adams have also played internationally in the past years. Alison Cooke and Anna Hilton both played for the AVCA All-American team that traveled to Costa Rica. Hilton, along with Iris Brewer, Shelly Stumpff, Lexi Potter, Susie Murach, Cory McGowan and Grace Krauser all were selected to USA teams that competed internationally.
Bring It Promotions (BIP)
Bring it Promotions (BIP) is a full service volleyball travel agency with partners and staff across the globe. BIP specializes in international volleyball tours and events as well as professional career development. BIP has been running volleyball tours of all lengths and abilities since 1996, offering club, university and "all-star" tours for both indoor and beach teams of all levels and ages.
Each tour combines competitive volleyball with sightseeing, unique cultural activities and travel to beautiful cities. BIP is the global leader in managing foreign volleyball tours and are now offering tours to more regions of the world than ever before.
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 13 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 112 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 121 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.