National Championship Gets Underway This Weekend

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The 2011 Senior Women’s National Championship gets underway this weekend in Washington, D.C., and five members of the Virginia field hockey program will compete for the Mid-Atlantic High Performance squad.

The event is slated for May 20-27 at American University and features the top field hockey athletes in the United States, including collegiate all-stars and current national team members. They are all competing for a highly coveted spot on the national team roster and the opportunity to represent the United States on the world’s biggest stage in the Pan American Games (this fall) and Olympic Games (next summer). The week-long showcase event is the only opportunity for athletes to gain selection to the national team.

Two current national team members, Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese, highlight Virginia’s five selections. They are rising fourth years at UVa and will be joined by rising second year Hadley Bell, as well as Haley Carpenter and Kim Kastuk, who each completed their eligibility at UVa in 2010.

Athletes attending the Women’s National Championship will play in six matches, including the finals. USA Field Hockey’s National Coaching staff will be evaluating athlete performances throughout the week and selecting a handful of the most elite to fill the Women’s National and Development Squad rosters.