COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Villanova volleyball will have a participant at the USA Volleyball Women's National Team Open Program this weekend as sophomore Abby Harrell will compete in the event from Feb. 21-23.

The two-time All-BIG EAST outside hitter is one of just 160 collegiate athletes that will participate in the event, taking place at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this weekend. 

Harrell joins just four other BIG EAST participants at this year's event as Villanova is one of only four schools sending a student-athlete to the training in the Centennial State.

A native of Ellensburg, Washington, Harrell was the 2023 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and has led the Wildcats in kills during both of her seasons on the Main Line. 

An accomplished student-athlete who's also been named PhillySIDA Academic All-Area and CSC Academic All-District, Harrell has accumulated nearly 750 kills in two years, averaging 3.23 per set for ninth in school history. The 5-foot-10 hitter has added 500 digs, 73 aces and 87 total blocks in just 62 matches played at the collegiate level.

This program is described by USA Volleyball as "a development opportunity used for potential selection to both the U.S. Women's National Team and age-group national teams of USA Volleyball's National Team Development Program."

Representatives from three different professional volleyball leagues will be on hand to discuss opportunities with participating athletes, while a pair of USWNT alums will do a Q&A with athletes.

Each of the sessions of the weekend, which begin on Friday, Feb. 21, will be available to stream on BallerTV with a subscription.