Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 08/25/1999 All articles from this issue

Former St. Francis volleyball star makes U.S. Junior National Team

printer friendly version

By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

When the University of Florida women's volleyball team takes the floor this weekend for its first tournament of the season, Niki Hartley won't be there.

The 1998 graduate of St. Francis High has a valid excuse, however. She will be playing for the United States at the FIVB Junior World Volleyball Championships in Canada.

While Hartley knows she's missing valuable time with nationally ranked Florida, the opportunity to compete with and against the best under-20 players in the world was too good to pass up. And then there's that whole patriotic thing.

"It makes it easier to leave my college team because I get to represent my country," said Hartley, who's entering her sophomore year. "I'm very excited."

Teams from 16 countries are taking part in the week-long tournament, which begins Saturday in Edmonton and Saskatoon.

Hartley is one of just 12 women selected to play for the U.S. Junior National Team. More than 60 players were invited to tryout for the squad last May at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. It was Florida head coach Mary Wise who encouraged Hartley to accept the invitation, telling the 5-foot-11 outside hitter she had a good shot at making the cut.

Wise proved to be wise. Hartley was among 20 players who performed well enough to be invited back in July for a month of intense tryouts. The 18-year-old continued to impress U.S. coach Brian Heffernan and was named to the final roster Aug. 6.

Hartley believes her hard work and experience were keys to making the team.

"I was one of the older girls and I talk more on the court," said the 1997 CCS Player of the Year. "It was an advantage to have a year of college under my belt."

Hartley is playing libero - an international position resembling a defensive specialist. But unlike the typical defensive specialist, a libero plays the entire game. The San Jose native said the position suits her.

"It's a lot of fun," said Hartley, primarily used as a back-row specialist her freshman year at Florida. "The rules are different - like you can't set an attacker - but I like it."

As far as playing time goes, Hartley listed herself as "a possible starter." When the Town Crier went to press, Heffernan had not yet announced his starting lineup.