OLATHE, Kan. -- Fordham women's volleyball standouts
Brianna O'Neil and
Brennan Delsing have been invited to compete in the 2015 European Metropolis Tour, a series of USA representative volleyball matches across England, France, Belgium and Holland from June 1-10. The duo is part of an 11-team roster constructed by USA Athletes International Volleyball.
"This is such a great opportunity for Brennan and Brianna," Fordham women's volleyball head coach
Gini Ullery said. "Not only will they get a chance to compete against good competition, they are getting to experience different cultures and history in some remarkable countries."
The team will head out June 1 and travel to London, spending time there until the morning of June 4. The team is slated to spend some free time in the city center and receive a first impression of the city by visiting some of the sites before taking part in a practice. The following day the team is to take part on a guided sightseeing tour of the British capital that includes the changing of the guards, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, etc., and following that up with their first match and some free time in the city center.
June 4 is when the team departs London and heads to Paris via the Eurostar Train through the Undersea Channel Tunnel. Once arriving in the French capital, the team will visit the Eiffel Tower and enjoy breathtaking views of the city. For day five, the team is scheduled to play their second match and discover the wonderful city on a guided tour, admiring sights like the Notre Dame Cathedral. They will also have some free time to explore Paris on their own and do some souvenir shopping.
The next morning, June 6, the team will be able to enjoy a free morning before traveling to Ostend, Belgium, where they can visit the beautiful sea side resort of Ostend, before playing their third match of the trip.
The squad then heads to the Netherlands June 7, first traveling to the city of Nijmegen. On the way, they will stop at the Concentration Camp Breendonk to experience the dark side of world history. The team is also scheduled to play its fourth match.
The tour through the Netherlands continues June 8 with a trip to Utrecht, where the team will be able to spend some free time in one of the country's most beautiful cities. The group will play its fifth and final match there.
Amsterdam is the final spot for the tour, as the team will travel to June 9. They will get to visit the city on a city walk, see the famous Heineken Brewery and historical Ann Frank House, before spending some free time in the city center to explore the legendary Dutch city on their own. The team then returns to the United States June 10.
"The experience they are gaining as a part of USAAI is incredible," Ullery said. "I am excited for them and their journey over the next few weeks, both on and off the court."
The team will be coached by Margot Royer-Johnson of Providence. This is going to be her seventh trip with USAAI.
"I think this will be the strongest team I have coached for them (USAAI) based on the quality of the roster." Royer-Johnson said.
Fans will be able to follow O'Neil and Delsing's journey through the FordhamSports.com, Instagram (fordhamathletics, fordhamvb), Twitter (@FordhamRams, @FordhamVB) and Facebook.
Official RosterJordan Wiesler, S from Providence College
Nicole Fletcher, MB/RS from Providence College
Brennan Delsing, RS from Fordham University
Brianna O'Neil, OH from Fordham University
Dakota Hampton, OH from University of South Florida
Samantha Kurtzke, RS from Concordia College
Tori Bowser, MB from Queens College
Madeline Hutchinson, DS/L from East Stroudsburg University
Jenny Martin, S from Concordia College
Gabrielle Gafford, MB from Rhodes College
Coach - Margot Royer-Johnson
