DeKALB — A member of the volleyball team is looking to represent NIU for the United States Women’s National Volleyball team.

Junior middle blocker Meg Wolowicz will participate in the 2018 U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryout Friday through Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Wolowicz will be the first Huskie to take part in in the tryout since Maddie Hughes, Kristin Hoffman, Allison McGlaughlin and Meagan Schoenrock in 2009. Approximately 240 athletes will participate in the tryouts. All of the participants will attempt to earn a spot on one of the U.S. Women’s National Team Programs, according to the USA Volleyball’s official website.

“It’s been pretty surreal for a while because when I registered in January, March felt so far away,” Wolowicz said. “I’m super excited about it. I think it’s a really good opportunity to not only represent myself, but NIU and not only NIU, but NIU Athletics.”

Head Coach Ray Gooden said it’s great Wolowicz has the opportunity to represent NIU on the national level.

“When you’re given the opportunity to do this, I think it’s a very cool thing,” Gooden said. “It’s not a common thing to make it out to the tryout. So, it’s a good thing for her to go do that and embrace the experience that’s going to come upon her.”

Gooden has been involved with team USA for over 10 years and played a significant part in encouraging Wolowicz to sign up for the tryouts.

Gooden said he hopes NIU is represented in future tryouts.

“For us, our sport, it’s a good way to get more experience,” Gooden said. “It’s a good way to get in front of our national team coach and be around good coaches and really good players as well.”

Wolowicz said she hasn’t thought a lot about making the team and is trying to keep her focus on making the most of the experience.

“I think right now I’m just going into it trying to keep an open mind about it,” Wolowicz said. “It’s an overall good opportunity to just play and compete against these people. I can’t really imagine the feeling if I made a team, but I think it would probably be one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever went through to represent something so much bigger than myself and NIU.”

Wolowicz earned All-MAC First Team honors and ranked No. 7 in blocks through MAC conference play this past season. She was named to the all-tournament team at the NIU Holiday Inn Express Invitational, Oregon Classic and Buckeye Invitational Sept. 7.

“I’m just super grateful to be able to represent NIU, NIU athletics and the volleyball team,” Wolowicz said. “It’s really awesome having so much support going into this. It’s going to be a really good weekend. I’m super excited for it.”