Eleven Virginia Players on USA Field Hockey High Performance Training Squads

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May 14, 2014

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Eleven Virginia field hockey players have earned spots on 2014 USA Field Hockey High Performance Training squads and will be vying for spots on teams competing at the Women’s National Championship June 16-21, 2014 at Spooky Nook Sports, in Lancaster, Pa.

Beginning in the early spring, High Performance Centers serving the New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, South, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions conduct open trials for college-age and older athletes. Once selected to a High Performance Center, athletes receive elite-level training from some of the nation’s top coaches over the course of the spring.

At the conclusion of the program, each High Performance Center selects a team to represent its region at the National Championships. Athletes competing in the tournament have the opportunity for selection to the U.S. National Squads.

Caliegh Foust, Megan Kelly and Katie Kelly have been selected to train at the Pennsylvania High Performance Center. Emilia Tapsall will be working out with the New Jersey squad. Tollie Bell, who has an internship in Bay Area this summer, will be training with the California squad. Jeannie Blackwood, Emily Faught, Macy Peebles, Riley Tata, Carissa Vittese and Kelsey LeBlanc will be training with the Mid-Atlantic squad.

Last season, Vittese, playing alongside Virginia alumnae Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese, was a member of the Mid-Atlantic/South team that won the Women’s National Championship. The three also played together on the 2012 Mid-Atlantic team.

USA Field Hockey’s High Performance Training Centers identify and train potential National Team athletes through comprehensive training and skill enhancement sessions, as well as premier level competitions. High Performance Centers allow athletes to train in regional areas close to their homes by some of the country’s top coaches.