MALIBU, Calif. ­Â— Three members of the Pepperdine women’s volleyball squad – Julie Rubenstein, Lilla Frederick and Stevi Robinson – have been invited to take part in USA Volleyball’s National Team Open Tryout, held from Feb. 20-22 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

Approximately 160 athletes have been invited to the tryout, where they will compete for spots on the USA National Team, the Junior National Team and the Senior A2 Team.

 

“It’s great for the program to have our players competing with USA Volleyball,” Pepperdine Coach Nina Matthies said. “It’s great for Julie, who is looking to continue her volleyball career with the USA or somewhere internationally. It’s fabulous that a couple of our young freshmen will get to go back and put themselves up against the best players. They’ve been with the junior team, but it will be a great experience competing against senior team players.”

 

Rubenstein (Camarillo, Calif./Oaks Christian HS) ended one of the top careers in school history last December. The four-year starter earned AVCA All-American third team honors in 2008 and was a four-time All-West Coast Conference selection (including the last three years on the first team). Rubenstein led the WCC in both kills (4.42) and points (5.14) per set in 2008. She finished her Pepperdine career third all-time with 1,743 kills.

 

Frederick (Huntington Beach, Calif./Cornelia Connelly HS), a WCC All-Freshman team selection, was third on the team with 2.39 kills and second on the squad with 2.80 digs.

 

Robinson (Hermosa Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS) was named the WCC's Defensive Player of the Year as well as All-WCC honorable mention and an All-Freshman team pick. She led the conference with 4.81 digs per set.

 

Rubenstein has previously been a member of the USA A2 team. Frederick and Robinson have both been members of the USA Junior National Team.