May 30, 2018
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – San Diego State rising junior Ashlynn Dunbar (Seabrook, Texas) has been named to the Mountain West touring all-star volleyball team that will participate in the 2018 Global Challenge later this summer in Europe.
The conference's fifth straight trip is scheduled for July 4-15 and will allow 12 student-athletes from eight of the MW's 11 institutions to train and compete against junior national and club teams in Europe. This year's league all-star squad will be guided by New Mexico head coach Jeff Nelson, along with San José State assistant Alex Luna.
The opening ceremony is slated for July 9 in Pula, Croatia, where the MW all-star team, comprised of five outside hitters, four middle blockers, two setters and one libero, will compete for four days. In addition, the group will be afforded the opportunity to visit London and Venice during the excursion.
With her selection, Dunbar becomes the eighth Aztec volleyball player to partake in the Global Challenge, joining current teammate Deja Harris, who was chosen in 2016.
Dunbar, who started 23 of 30 matches for SDSU last season, ranked fourth on the team with an average of 2.52 kills per set, surpassing the double-digit plateau in put-aways 13 times. She also occupied the third spot on the squad in three different categories, including points (2.97/set), digs (1.78/set) and blocks (0.65/set).
A native of Seabrook, Texas, Dunbar finished with four double-doubles (kills-digs) on the year and was named to the all-tournament team at the Denver Invitational last September after averaging 2.36 kills, 2.14 digs and 0.79 blocks per set in three matches, helping the Scarlet and Black capture the event title.
Last year, SDSU head coach Deitre Collins-Parker led the Mountain West all-star squad to a second-place finish at the Global Challenge, which also featured recent Aztec alumnae Baylee Little and Indigo Thompson.
San Diego State opens the 2018 campaign on Friday, Aug. 24, when it plays host to CSU Bakersfield in the Aztec Invitational.
2018 Mountain West Global Challenge Team
Ashlynn Dunbar, San Diego State, OH
Shanleigh Conlan, Air Force, S
Sabryn Roberts, Boise State, OH/OPP
Cassedi Simon, Boise State, S
Breana Runnels, Colorado State, OH
Aubrey Folk, Fresno State, OH
Hailey Rubino, New Mexico, OH
Yasmin Tan, New Mexico, MB
Thaliana Grajeda, San José State, MB
Laura Parts, San José State, MB
Bailey Downing, Utah State, MB
Tasia Taylor, Utah State, L
Head Coach: Jeff Nelson, New Mexico
Assistant Coach: Alex Luna, San José State