It was only eight months ago, when the then-13-year-old Alexis
Froistad told her mom she wanted to follow in her footsteps and
start playing volleyball.
It came as a welcomed surprise for mom Nancy Froistad, who
thought her daughter was a soccer player, she said.
But in those eight months, Froistad, a 2011 Aromas School
graduate, became a key player on her Monterey-based club team, Imua
Volleyball Club, and now will represent Northern California in the
United States of America Volleyball High Performance Championships
in Tucson, Ariz. starting July 25.
It was only eight months ago, when the then-13-year-old Alexis Froistad told her mom she wanted to follow in her footsteps and start playing volleyball.
It came as a welcomed surprise for mom Nancy Froistad, who thought her daughter was a soccer player, she said.
But in those eight months, Froistad, a 2011 Aromas School graduate, became a key player on her Monterey-based club team, Imua Volleyball Club, and now will represent Northern California in the United States of America Volleyball High Performance Championships in Tucson, Ariz. starting July 25.
The championships will gather more than 40 teams of the best young volleyball players in the country. The purpose of each regional team is to “build a broader and stronger pipeline of coaches and athletes for our U.S. Olympic Teams,” according to the Northern California team’s website.
The tournament is held once a year. Teams are created in April, and only get a handful of practices before competing.
The six-foot tall Froistad, who is only 14, towers over her teammates. Her coach, Glen Cruz, calls her one of the most important players on the team.
“She can play everywhere,” Cruz said. “She is the rare combination of size and skill. Usually when they are that young and tall, they are a little uncoordinated – she isn’t.”
Froistad was one of 18 girls under 15 years old to be selected to the two regional teams – more than 400 volleyball players tried out during four March sessions.
“There was a lot to see, but she really stood out,” Cruz said.
Regardless of what happens in Arizona, Froistad will use the tournament as a learning experience for high school in Salinas, she said.
“I’m kind of in awe,” she said. “It’s the first time I tried out for the team and I made it. This is a really good experience. ”
