July 3, 2018
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- San Diego State junior transfer Delaney Taylor will participate on the Mountain West all-star volleyball team that will participate in the 2018 Global Challenge in Europe, which is set to begin this week.
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, three 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.
Taylor, who is set for her first season with the Aztecs in 2018 after transferring from Oregon State, will join junior Ashlynn Dunbar on the team. Taylor is the ninth Aztec volleyball player to play in the Global Challenge and will be one of three active Aztecs to have participated in the event, with rising senior Deja Harris having previously played on the team during the summer of 2016.
With the Beavers last season, Taylor appeared in five matches and totaled 21 assists, including a season-high 12 in a win at California on Nov. 23. Taylor was a part of an OSU squad that went 21-12 and reached the NCAA tournament.
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.
ABOUT BRING IT USA
The 14th annual Global Challenge will return to Pula, Croatia to host under 17 and under 23 divisions from around the world. The opening ceremonies will take place on July 9th and competition will take place on July 10, 11, 12 & 13th. The mission of the Global Challenge is to provide teams international playing experience and exposure. Past tournaments participants have included club and country federation teams from Slovenia, Russia, Romania, Germany, Bosnia, Montenegro, China, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Denmark and Puerto Rico, plus USA regional HP, youth national, junior national, and collegiate national teams.
2018 Mountain West Global Challenge Team
Ashlynn Dunbar, San Diego State, OH
Delaney Taylor, San Diego State, S
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