July 12, 2011
Later today, NUsports.com will officially release the 2011 Northwestern Volleyball schedule. Stay tuned!
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern rising junior libero Julie Chin (Naperville, Ill./Naperville) traveled to China last month with a USA Volleyball/Bring It Promotions two-team contingent of top-level collegiate volleyball players, competing in a pair of tournaments in the country.
The two-week trip began June 7-8 with a pair of training days at the Anaheim Sports Center in Anaheim, Calif., home to the USA Men's and Women's National Teams. The squads then flew to Shandong, China, for the first of two tournaments, taking on professional Chinese teams Shandong Province, Shandong Normal University and Army Youth.
"The first day we were in China we did some sightseeing and practiced," said Chin. "The second day was the first match of our tournament. The stadium was sold out and packed, probably the biggest crowd and the best atmosphere I've ever played in."
Chin's team went 1-2 in that tournament, enjoying tourism activities in the morning and matches each night. After the Shandong event, the team went to Beijing for a second tournament, again going 1-2 against all professional opponents.
"This was a great experience," said Chin. "It was interesting to see all of the different cultural changes. The competition was great, too. The Chinese run a very quick offense and their defense was phenomenal."
Among the places the team visited were the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and Pearl Market.
Chin started 32 matches at libero for Northwestern as a sophomore in 2010, compiling 437 digs -- the ninth-best single-season total in school history. She earned Academic All-Big Ten honors last season.
Chin is not the lone Wildcat to earn international experience this summer. Rising sophomore Stephanie Holthus (Burlington, Ill./Central) will represent the United States with the U.S. Women's Junior National Team at the FIVB Women's Junior World Championship (U-20) July 20-31 in Peru.
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