Athletes begin journey to Poland

Fifteen athletes begin their journeys Saturday for the Women's Junior National Team trip to play some of Europe's top U21 nations at the Silesia Cup in Poland.

The trip, a result of USA Team Handball's burgeoning relationship with the Polish National Federation, will pit the 15 Americans against Norway, the Czech Republic and host Poland at the Olympic Training Center in Szczyrk. The European teams will provide stiff competition
for Team USA; the Norwegian U19 women's team recently won the European championships.

"This tournament is a great opportunity for new players on the team to see where we stand," said Marko Brezic, the head coach of the trip. "Because we are playing against national teams that are advanced in team handball today, so for our players it will be a great opportunity to learn and play against those teams."

The team's match schedule is as follows:

11/17: USA vs. Polish Senior National Team
11/20: USA vs. Norway
11/21: USA vs. Czech Republic
11/22: USA vs. Poland

Brezic will be assisted by Anca Stevens, former USA National Team goalkeeper. The trip's delegation also includes athletic trainer Dan Bush and referee Robert Michalik with the team as a translator and USATH administrator.

ROSTER

First	Last	Age
Diva	Desai
Whitney	Gelin	24
Molly	Augustine	20
Sarah	Whitley	24
Stephanie	Hesser	15
Kate	Louthan	15
Taylor	Proctor	15
Amber	Turner	15
Julia	Sayer	22
Sophie	Fasold	15
Karoline	Borg	19
Morgan	Thorkelsdottir	14
Holly	Mikulas	17
Toni	Ernst	18
Jennifer	Haubrich	25