Michigan State University Athletics
Poljan, Bishop to Attend USA Volleyball Open Program
2/24/2022 12:00:00 PM | Volleyball
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State volleyball's Rebecka Poljan and Julia Bishop will travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado this weekend for the USA Volleyball Open Program, held February 25-27 at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center.
USA Volleyball's Open Program took a one-year hiatus in 2021 but returns in 2022. Poljan and Bishop will be coached by some of the top volleyball minds in the country, including U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly and his assistants Erin Virtue, Tama Miyashiro and Alfee Reft. A staff of nearly 50 coaches from across the country will be assisting with the coaching throughout the weekend.
"I'm excited to have incredible program ambassadors in Rebecka and Julia representing Michigan State at the USA Volleyball Open Program this weekend," Michigan State head coach Leah Johnson said. "This is a great development opportunity for them, allowing them to compete against the top collegiate players in the country."
The Women's National Team Open Program is part of the selection process for the U.S. Women's National Team, the USA Volleyball NCAA Elite Athlete List and the 2022 U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team. This training experience helps accelerate the development of top collegiate athletes and allows student-athletes a unique opportunity to have an inside look at the culture and training of Olympic gold medalists.
Complete Open Program Roster
"After missing a year, we are excited to bring back our WNT Open Program in 2022," Kiraly said. "The Open Program is an excellent opportunity for our Women's National Team staff to observe USA Volleyball hopefuls under one roof. This country is filled with young volleyball talent, and for our National Team to sustain competitive excellence, our WNT staff must be dialed in to the growing potential throughout our National Team Development Program as well as top NCAA student-athletes."
A senior middle blocker from Bath, Michigan, Poljan is set to enter her fifth season as a Spartan in 2022. Poljan has been a mainstay for the Spartans on and off the court throughout her career as a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. With 79 career starts and 287 career sets played to her name, Poljan will be among the most experienced players in the Big Ten next season.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend the USA Volleyball Open Program," Poljan said. "This gives both Julia and I a great opportunity to represent Michigan State volleyball at the highest level. We are extremely excited to get out to Colorado Springs to compete and show the volleyball community how Spartans fight."
A sophomore setter from Dearborn, Michigan, Bishop played in 67 sets and appeared in 23 matches for Michigan State as a true freshman in 2021. Bishop accumulated 310 assists and 95 digs for the Spartans last season.
"I'm beyond grateful to attend the USA Volleyball Open Program and play alongside my teammate and friend Becka," Bishop said. "We are both so blessed to compete with such high-level athletes and coaches. I can't wait to represent the Spartans."
The Open Program will consist of four training sessions over the course of three days. Both Poljan and Bishop have been placed in the red sessions, which run 2-3:40 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, 8-9:30 a.m. and 2-3:50 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, and 7:30-9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27. All times listed are in Mountain Standard Time. Sessions at the Open Program will be streamed live on BallerTV.
USA Volleyball's Open Program took a one-year hiatus in 2021 but returns in 2022. Poljan and Bishop will be coached by some of the top volleyball minds in the country, including U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly and his assistants Erin Virtue, Tama Miyashiro and Alfee Reft. A staff of nearly 50 coaches from across the country will be assisting with the coaching throughout the weekend.
"I'm excited to have incredible program ambassadors in Rebecka and Julia representing Michigan State at the USA Volleyball Open Program this weekend," Michigan State head coach Leah Johnson said. "This is a great development opportunity for them, allowing them to compete against the top collegiate players in the country."
The Women's National Team Open Program is part of the selection process for the U.S. Women's National Team, the USA Volleyball NCAA Elite Athlete List and the 2022 U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team. This training experience helps accelerate the development of top collegiate athletes and allows student-athletes a unique opportunity to have an inside look at the culture and training of Olympic gold medalists.
Complete Open Program Roster
"After missing a year, we are excited to bring back our WNT Open Program in 2022," Kiraly said. "The Open Program is an excellent opportunity for our Women's National Team staff to observe USA Volleyball hopefuls under one roof. This country is filled with young volleyball talent, and for our National Team to sustain competitive excellence, our WNT staff must be dialed in to the growing potential throughout our National Team Development Program as well as top NCAA student-athletes."
A senior middle blocker from Bath, Michigan, Poljan is set to enter her fifth season as a Spartan in 2022. Poljan has been a mainstay for the Spartans on and off the court throughout her career as a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. With 79 career starts and 287 career sets played to her name, Poljan will be among the most experienced players in the Big Ten next season.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend the USA Volleyball Open Program," Poljan said. "This gives both Julia and I a great opportunity to represent Michigan State volleyball at the highest level. We are extremely excited to get out to Colorado Springs to compete and show the volleyball community how Spartans fight."
A sophomore setter from Dearborn, Michigan, Bishop played in 67 sets and appeared in 23 matches for Michigan State as a true freshman in 2021. Bishop accumulated 310 assists and 95 digs for the Spartans last season.
"I'm beyond grateful to attend the USA Volleyball Open Program and play alongside my teammate and friend Becka," Bishop said. "We are both so blessed to compete with such high-level athletes and coaches. I can't wait to represent the Spartans."
The Open Program will consist of four training sessions over the course of three days. Both Poljan and Bishop have been placed in the red sessions, which run 2-3:40 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, 8-9:30 a.m. and 2-3:50 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, and 7:30-9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27. All times listed are in Mountain Standard Time. Sessions at the Open Program will be streamed live on BallerTV.
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