Feb. 26, 2008
Army junior Elizabeth Lazzari was one of 113 athletes from around the country and the first volleyball player ever to represent Army at the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Open Tryouts at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs last weekend. The participants will be notified by March 11 as to who will be invited to train with the U.S. Women's National Team or compete as a part of the USA A2 Team at the USA Open Championships in Atlanta during the week of May 18-28.
"Liz is one of the most dedicated players that I have ever coached, and her drive to make the national team has been evident since the first day that I met her," said Army head coach Alma Kovaci. "She puts her heart and soul into playing each time that she steps onto the court. While recruiting Liz four years ago, she mentioned to me that her dream was to try out for the national team and accelerate her game to the next level. I am extremely happy that she was able to realize that dream and compete against the country's elite players on a national stage."
The tryouts were held to determine spots on the U.S. Women's National and Olympic Teams, along with the Senior A2 Team. The USA A2 Team will tentatively be made up of two teams of 10 members each. Team USA already held an invitation-only tryout earlier this year with 13 players participating. Eleven went on to accept invitations to train with the U.S. National team this spring, leaving just two slots empty.
The open event, which included four training sessions, began on Friday, Feb. 22, and concluded Sunday, Feb. 24. Due to major snowfall and wintery conditions in the Northeast, Lazzari was delayed flying out to Colorado and missed Friday's session and returned to West Point in time for Army's usual afternoon practice session. While Lazzari was lifting after practice, Kovaci and assistant coach Jeremy Sands booked a second flight in order to get her out in time for the remaining portion of the tryout. Lazzari arrived at the Denver International Airport at 3 a.m. PT and made it to the Olympic Training Center for the start of the 8 a.m. morning session.
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Lazzari, whose power in the front row allows her to play outside hitter for the Black Knights, tried out as a libero throughout the weekend. She has consistently been one of Army's top defensive players, leading the team and ranking sixth in the Patriot League with 359 digs (3.53 per game) last fall. Lazzari has 999 career digs, which ranks seventh in the Army career record books, heading into her senior season this fall.
A two-time all-conference player for the Black Knights, Lazzari served as a junior co-captain for the 2007 season and was an integral part of Army's 24-5 run, marking the top winning percentage in program history.
Lazzari is no stranger to the national stage after making the 2004 Junior National Championship game as a standout on one of the top club teams in the country, TCA Volleyball Club out of southern California. She was a captain and All-America selection that same season.
Since arriving on the Banks of the Hudson, Lazzari has made her mark as one of the best all-around players in the Patriot League. She was named "Rookie of the Year" in 2005 and went on to earn first team all-conference plaudits the following season. She has been named to the Patriot League All-Tournament Team in each of the last two years.
Lazzari was one of two Patriot League athletes at the open tryout, as Jackie Adlam of Colgate also tried out at the libero position.
