Capezio Named to U.S. Collegiate National Team

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State rising senior outside hitter Ciara Capezio has been selected for the U.S. Collegiate National Team that will tour Italy and Croatia in July, USA Volleyball announced Monday.

Capezio and her 11 teammates, who consist of other college volleyball players from across the country, were selected through the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held Feb. 19-21 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. This is the second-straight year that ISU has had a CNT team member, as Morgan Kuhrt made the team that toured China last June.

The CNT-Europe will be in Europe from July 6-16, during which they will play a trio of matches against an Italian Federation Team from July 7-9 in Milan, Italy. Capezio played with Iowa State's team that traveled to Italy and played in Milan in the summer of 2014.

From July 11-14, the CNT-Europe will compete in the Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia. Capezio and her Team USA teammates will take on competition from Junior National Team's in the region.

Capezio had been a six-rotation staple of the Iowa State lineup since arriving in Ames. The William Bay, Wisconsin native ranked third on the team with 235 kills at 2.47 per set and 241 digs at 2.54 per frame in her junior season. She also ranked second on the squad with 29 service aces in 2015. For her career, Capezio has 785 kills, 657 digs, 112 total blocks and 84 service aces.

The CNT-Europe roster is one of three programs within USA Volleyball's High Performance U.S. Collegiate National Team program. USA Volleyball announced the 12-player roster for its tour of China last week. An additional 36 players, which will be announced by the end of the month, will train and compete in conjunction with the 2016 USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships.

The CNT-Europe coaching staff will be announced at a later date.

Capezio and the Iowa State volleyball team continue the 2016 spring season next Saturday, April 2, at Creighton. The match between the Cyclones and Bluejays will begin at 4 p.m.