BLACKSBURG – It hasn't it hit her yet, but rising senior Jaila Tolbert is ready to go to work in Detroit.
The right-side hitter leaves on Friday for the trip of a lifetime as she is set to compete on the U.S. Collegiate National Team, following her successful tryout in March in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
"To be honest, it still really hasn't hit me yet on making the national team," Tolbert shared. "I don't think it will until I see the jersey, put it on and get on the court with them."
Tolbert is one of 24 student-athletes who made the prestigious team and will represent the red, white and blue.
The CNT-Detroit squad, which is part of USA Volleyball's High Performance pipeline and is considered a second tryout for the U.S. Women's National Team, will train from June 22-26 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Afterward, the athletes will be assigned to one of two 12-member teams that will play three exhibition matches against each other at the Cobo Center from June 27-28 and June 30. The matches are being held in conjunction with the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships under the same roof.
"I think it's about just getting that experience of playing with and against the best in the country," Tolbert commented when asked on what she's hoping to get out of it. "Also, just hard training and getting the most of what I can out of the coaches and learning to play at that level – then hopefully bringing that back to Tech."
This summer will be her final time preparing for her last season wearing the maroon and orange.
"It's hard, I'm like dreading the season in a sense but I'm also super excited. It's too bad it's almost over, but hopefully this last go at it will be our team's and my best season yet."
A leader on and off the court, Tolbert seeks to make some strides in her game following her trip to Detroit and getting back to Blacksburg with a sense of urgency in the weight room and training. A second-team All-ACC selection, Tolbert led the league with the highest hitting percentage among non-middle blockers, but is hoping to take her game to the next level this fall.
"I just want to learn how to score as efficiently as I can. I think when I'm at USAs, it's going to teach me how to do that against a bigger block, some bigger girls and more experienced players. I think if I can hone in on that a little bit, that will really help our team come this fall."
Though she won't be making the trek back to her hometown of Minneapolis, the Minnesota native will be back in the Midwest and is happy to be in the region where she grew up.
"I am super excited, like, my entire family is going to be there, which is really awesome. They are going to make the long drive from Minneapolis (laughing). But they are going to be there to support me. Also, seeing some club teammates and all that will be great."
To follow along on all of the action, be sure to follow the team's Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat accounts as Tolbert takes over. USA Volleyball will be posting pictures and videos, too.
Hokies Volleyball
Twitter - @hokiesvb
Instagram - @hokiesvb
Snapchat - @vt_vball
USA Volleyball
Twitter - @usavolleyball
