Stalls, U.S. National Team Open Pan American Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. ? The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team officially starts its 2007 campaign at the 12-team Sixth Annual Pan American Cup this week in Colima, Mexico.

This week’s competition also marks the return of Husker senior-to-be Tracy Stalls to the U.S. National team. Stalls played for the U.S. National Team in 2003 and 2004 and helped Team USA to a bronze medal at the 2003 Pan American Games before starting her collegiate career.

Stalls, who has been training in Colorado Spring since the end of the spring semester, helped the Huskers to the school’s third national title in 2006, averaging 2.67 kills and 1.41 blocks per game, as she ranked 11th nationally in hitting percentage. She was a second-team AVCA All-American and totaled a career-high 17 kills in NU’s NCAA semifinal victory over UCLA.

Team USA opens pool play against Argentina today and takes on Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico to wrap up pool play on Monday. The tournament runs until June 29.