Selenski, Vittese Named to 2011 Pan American Games Roster

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia field hockey players Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.) and Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) have been named to Team USA’s roster for the 2011 Pan American Games, to be held Oct. 19-29 in Guadalajara City, Mexico.

“Being named to the Pan Am Team is a step in the right direction for Paige and Michelle to fulfill their Olympic dreams,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. “They have put in a lot of hard work to be able to get this far. It is a great honor to be able to represent your country on the international stage.”

Because of their commitment to the United States National Team in preparation for the Pan Am Games and the upcoming London Olympic Games, Selenski and Vittese will redshirt the 2011 season. They will return in 2012 for their final year of eligibility.

“They are missed greatly but the team supports them 100 percent,” Madison continued. “We couldn’t be more proud that they are representing the University of Virginia in front of the world.”

The Pan Am Games will serve as an Olympic qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics, where 16 countries will compete for gold.

Selenski and Vittese have been members of the U.S. National team for a full year, earning their first international caps in the summer of 2010. Team USA completed a European Tour in which it faced Germany and Belgium in August in preparation for the Pan Am Games. Selenski concluded the tour with six goals, including a hat trick in the opening 5-1 win over Belgium. Most recently, the Americans concluded a five-game series against New Zealand in Chula Vista, Calif., which was held Sept. 4-11.

Selenski and Vittese were both selected as first-team All-Americans as juniors in 2010, when Virginia went 18-4 and advanced to the NCAA semifinals for the second straight year.