The USA Girl’s Youth National Team will be making its third appearance in the FIVB Under-18 World Championships. The United States was previously represented at the prestigious youth tournament in 1989, when they finished ninth, and most recently in 1999, when Team USA placed sixth.

This United States squad earned a berth at the 2003 Girl’s Under-18 World Championships after capturing the gold medal at the 2002 NORCECA Youth Girls Zone Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah, defeating teams from Canada, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

The Americans, coached by Jim Miret, breezed through the NORCECA tournament with a perfect 5-0 record and lost just one set along the way. Three members of the USA contingent captured “Best Player” honors along the way: Cynthia Barboza (Best Serve Receiver), Marcie Hampton (Best Attacker), and Angela McGinnis (Best Setter).

This year’s USA Girl’s Youth National Team will be guided by long-time American collegiate head coach Shelton Collier.