2015 Global Challenge

STONY BROOK, N.Y. - Members of the Stony Brook University volleyball team will represent the United States of America over the next few weeks in Croatia for the 2015 European Global Challenge.

Seawolves' head coach Coley Pawlikowski and associate head coach Dan Pawlikowski will coach the BIP/USA Development Team with seniors Nicole Vogel (Costa Mesa, Calif.) and Stephanie McFadden (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) on the roster, while sophomores Cydney Bowman (Lake Mary, Fla.) and Courtney Scanlan (Salamanca, N.Y.) will play for Team BIP (Bring it Promotions, LLC).

"My staff and I are incredibly excited to have four of our athletes represent Stony Brook and the America East at the 2015 Global Challenge," Coley Pawlikowski said. "They will be competing against teams from around the world, including the USA Junior National Team. This opportunity provides our student athletes another avenue to continue growing as players at a high level.

"Dan and I are fortunate to be leading the BIP/USA team and not only representing Stony Brook but also USA volleyball with our group," Coley added. "Dan will be the head coach for the team and this will be the first time that we are leading a team in this event. We are looking forward to getting in the gym with the athletes we have, improving everyday as a group and representing well in the Global Challenge."

Both the USA Development Team and Team BIP will tour around Europe for training and friendly matches prior to the opening ceremonies of the 2015 European Global Challenge that will take place in Pula, Croatia, on Sunday, July 12. Watch the opening ceremonies live at http://livestream.com/accounts/9015567/events/4168340.

Team BIP will begin competition in the Global Challenge on Monday, July 13 against Slovenia Select. The Development Team opens against the Italian Junior National Team on Monday.

"The exposure to the international game coupled with experiencing other cultures has been extremely beneficial for our group upon return as we continue to strengthen our program," Coley concluded. "This group will mark eight total athletes that we have sent to compete in this tournament and we are excited for Stephanie, Cydney, Nicole, and Courtney with reap the benefits of the trip, bringing back and translating what they each will experience into our gym."

Throughout the experience overseas, the four Stony Brook Student-Athletes will be blogging about their experiences. Here are a few pre-trip comments.

Nicole Vogel
" I'm really excited to have this opportunity to go to Europe and play volleyball with other volleyball players that I have played against before and be able to compete with them. Also to experience a different type of volleyball that is played in Europe. I especially can't wait to visit historic sights along the way."

Stephanie McFadden
"It is almost unreal that I will be in a different country in a few days, but I am ecstatic to be able to represent America playing volleyball all while being able to explore different countries. It is going to be the experience of a lifetime."

Courtney Scanlon
""Words cannot explain how thankful I am to be given this great opportunity to go overseas to play the sport that I love. It's such a crazy feeling knowing that I leave for Europe in a few days to represent the USA. I'm hoping that I can show my skills and make Stony Brook proud."

Cydney Bowman
" I'm truly thrilled and honored to have an opportunity to play the game I love in, and have invested so much time and effort in to in Europe. I'm excited to see how this experience helps to elevate my play by competing against other styles of volleyball that are different in the States. With this being the third year Stony Brook has sent players overseas it definitely adds to the Stony Brook Volleyball culture as a whole."

 For all the information on the 2015 Global Challenge visit http://www.bringitusa.com/gc15/. In addition to the opening ceremonies being streamed live the matches on courts one and two at Dom Sportiva will also be live.
Court one: http://livestream.com/accounts/9015567/events/4145497
Court two: http://livestream.com/accounts/9015532/events/4145520