Lemont Teen Selected For USA Volleyball's National Team Program

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School freshman April Rice had quite the winter break. The teen trained as part of the USA Volleyball Women's Junior Olympics team in California.

April trained with the National Team Development Program at the women's Olympics training center in Anaheim, California, from Dec. 26-30, her mom, Lynn, told Patch. April has also participated in summer and fall sessions of the program.

According to USA Volleyball, there are no tryouts for the program. Athletes are selected via a nationwide scouting network.

April has been playing club volleyball since she was in fifth grade, Lynn said. She currently plays for Adversity Volleyball Club in Vernon Hills, and played for Lemont High School in the fall.

"She hopes to play Division 1 volleyball in college like her older sister," Lynn said.

Lynn said April was the only player for all age groups (U16 through U19) at her setter position that was selected for the training, and will be in attendance from the Great Lakes Volleyball Region.

Sixty-two players from across the country were selected for the U16/U17 age group, Lynn said.