April 15, 2005

MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine junior middle blocker Sophia Milo has received an invitation by USA Volleyball to train with the Women's National Team next month in Colorado Springs, Colo., under new head coach "Jenny" Lang Ping.

"This is a dream come true," said Milo. "I never really saw myself being able to do something like this. As a child it is one of those things you dream about but never really think it is going to happen to you. I am very grateful for this opportunity and am excited to be going to Colorado. I think this will be a great experience for me to grew, both physically and mentally."

The 6-foot-4 Portland, Ore., native will be competing with 33 other athletes, including seven members of the 2004 US Olympic Team, as Team USA is set to enter a pair of teams in the women's open division of the USA Volleyball Championships in Denver from May 28-June 4. The teams competing at the Open will be comprised of collegiate players.

The women will also have teams scheduled to compete at the Montreux Volley Masters in Switzerland, the Pan American Cup in the Dominican Republic and the month-long World Grand Prix in Asia.

"I think it is absolutely fantastic that Sophia is being recognized and rewarded for all her hard work and abilities," commented Pepperdine head coach Nina Matthies. "It will be a wonderful experience for her to get to train and compete with highly skilled athletes such as the members of the Olympic Team. She will see some great competition this summer. I am really excited for her."

The final rosters for the various events will be determined based on the athlete's training performance.

Milo is on pace to become the school's all-time blocks leader having recorded 249 total blocks in just two seasons, while recording 525 kills in 193 games.