Wong-Orantes Selected for Big Ten Foreign Tour

Lincoln – For the first time in conference history, a Big Ten volleyball student-athlete from each of the 14 schools, including Nebraska junior libero Justine Wong-Orantes, will travel overseas to take part in a foreign tour to feature not just competition on the court, but also community service initiatives and the opportunity to experience new cultures in some of the world’s greatest cities. The Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour Team will travel to Croatia, Slovenia and Italy from June 13-25.

Northwestern’s Keylor Chan will serve as the head coach of the Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour Team. Indiana’s Paul Koncir and Rutgers' Phuong Louong will travel as assistant coaches, while Michigan State athletic trainer Lianna Hadden will also accompany the team.

"I am thrilled to be getting this opportunity to represent Nebraska and the Big Ten and get to travel the world doing so," Wong-Orantes said. "I think this will be a great experience because I will get to be playing against high-level teams while bonding with players from other teams in the Big Ten. I am so fortunate to be getting this opportunity and cannot wait to be a part of it."

Specific details of the tour’s itinerary will be announced at a later date. In addition to competition on the court, the 14 student-athletes will have the opportunity to partake in community service initiatives, study foreign languages with local students and visit some of Europe’s most historic cities, including Ljubljana in Slovenia, Istra, Pula, Rovinj and Porec in Croatia, and Padova and Venice in Italy.

2015 Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour Team
Jocelynn Birks, Illinois, Outside Hitter, Sr.
Megan Tallman, Indiana, Setter, Jr.
Jess Janota, Iowa, Middle Blocker, So.
Hailey Murray, Maryland, Middle Blocker, So.
Adeja Lambert, Michigan, Outside Hitter, So.
Halle Peterson, Michigan State, Setter, Sr.
Alyssa Goehner, Minnesota, Outside Hitter, So.
Justine Wong-Orantes, Nebraska, Libero, Jr.
Maddie Slater, Northwestern, Middle Blocker, Jr.
Taylor Sandbothe, Ohio State, Middle Blocker, Jr.
Aiyana Whitney, Penn State, Outside Hitter, Sr.
Annie Drews, Purdue, Outside Hitter, Sr.
Meme Fletcher, Rutgers, Outside Hitter, So.
Kelli Bates, Wisconsin, Outside Hitter, So.

Head Coach: Keylor Chan, Northwestern
Assistant Coaches: Paul Koncir, Indiana; Phuong Louong, Rutgers
Athletic Trainer: Lianna Hadden, Michigan State