A pair of Peacock volleyball student-athletes, Madelyn Rettler and Zoe Semelroth, are competing with the USA D-2 Volleyball Team on a Brazil Tour. Teammates Maggie Streightiff and Nicole Pozorski competed with the prestigious team last summer and alum Kaitlin Niedert competed prior to last year's duo in 2019. 

The USA D-2 Volleyball Team features players from NCAA Division II members from across the country. This year's squad is comprised of 10 players from six different institutions and the players hail from eight different home states.

The pair of Peacocks were a huge piece of the UIU offense this season in their first competitive season on the court; Semelroth and Rettler registered 252 and 206 kills, respectively. Semelroth hit .264 from the middle averaging 3.21 points per set thanks to her kills, 77 blocks and 39 aces. Rettler averaged 1.94 kills/set and added 308 digs (second-most for UIU), 36 aces, and 21 assists.

The USA D-2 Volleyball tour runs from May 15 through May 24.  The team began with orientation in Orlando, Florida on May 15th and then departed for Sao Paulo, Brazil. The team's competition schedule includes matches against both professional and club teams. The team will be a part of an "International Challenge" on Saturday, May 21 in Rio de Janeiro. 

During their time in Rio, the team will be conducting a youth clinic at the Marina Barra Clube/Ripper Volei as part of their social project.  This popular outreach opportunity for the USA D-2 Volleyball Team is already filled to capacity. 

While in Brazil the team will experience educational, cultural and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits.  While in Rio the team will be staying on the famous Copacabana Beach (location for the 2016 Rio Olympic Beach Volleyball Stadium) and touring the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.  The team will visit the popular international market in Ipanema and Ipanema Beach.

USA D-2 Volleyball Roster
Emily Grace Calhoon - Union University
Allie Dishman - Montevallo University
Adriana Lopez - Rollins College
Gracie McGee - University of Alabama Huntsville
Lydia Paulette - Mississippi College
Kendall Platt - Mississippi College
Madelyn Rettler - Upper Iowa University
Sav Roys - Montevallo University
Zoe Semelroth - Upper Iowa University
Jordan Vick - Union University

USA D-2 Volleyball Coach
Mika Robinson (Rollins College - Head Volleyball Coach)