BENNINGTON, Vt. – Capping a stellar senior season for the Southern Vermont College men’s volleyball team, outside hitter Anthony Barahona (Eagle Rock, Calif.) has been selected to play on the USA DIII Men’s Volleyball Team – Brazil Tour 2014, a team made up of the best NCAA Division III volleyball players throughout the United States.
“I am beyond words, and I am truly honored to be chosen to represent the USA in this event,” said Barahona, in-between preparing for final exams. “Above all, it shows me that if you work hard enough, you will be rewarded for your effort.”
Ron Smith, Director of USA Sports Tours & Events announced the roster that is made up of team members recognized as all-Americans, all-region and all-conference players. Barahona was recently named to the All-New England Collegiate Conference First Team after an outstanding season for the Mountaineers.
“This is an outstanding group of volleyball players that come from 16 state and 17 colleges and universities from across the United States,” said Smith. “We feel that we have some of the best of the best representing almost every region in the country.”
Barahona finished his SVC career as the team’s all-time kills leader with 1,080 and service aces leader with 89. He also ranks second for SVC in all-time blocks with 180 and digs with 668. He will be conducting a fundraising effort in order to pay for necessary expenditures.
“I believe that this will test my skills and abilities as I am playing with some of the best athletes that Division III volleyball can offer,” continued Barahona. “This will also open a new gate of opportunities for me whether it be meeting new people and making new connections, or possibly extending my volleyball career beyond college. That would be the dream.”
The USA D-3 Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Teams will begin their Brazil Tour 2014 in Orlando, Fla. on May 17; the tour runs from May 17-26. After team orientation and practice in Orlando, the squad departs for Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday, May 18. The USA D-3 Volleyball Teams will play doubleheader matches (men and women) on May 19, 20 and 21 in the state of Sao Paulo against selected teams from the region. On May 22, the team travels to Rio de Janeiro for a match the next day. The team will then depart Brazil on the evening of May 25 and return to Orlando on May 26.
While in Brazil, the teams will experience educational, cultural and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits. During its time in Rio, the team will be staying on the famous Copacabana Beach and touring the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
“Receiving this opportunity shows me that the SVC volleyball programs are expanding and improving each year,” noted the senior Mountaineer. “The level of competition is so much higher, and it will just keep progressing. This not only opens up options for myself, but the program as well; it provides the possibility of selecting other SVC players to represent the U.S. in the future.”