SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Ron Smith of USA Sports Tours & Events announced the addition of Augustana volleyball student-athlete Courtney Place to his USA DII Volleyball Team that is scheduled to play in Brazil from May 28-June 6.

Place, who's entering her senior season as an outside hitter for the Vikings, was a second team All-NSIC selection in 2017.

The Okabena, Minn. native is among 20 NCAA Division II women's volleyball student-athletes from across the country invited to participate in the 2018 Brazil Tour. Place is a member of the Black Team, which is made up of 10 players representing seven different colleges and universities and comprised of student-athletes recognized as All-Americans, All-Region and All-Conference selections.

"This is an outstanding group of young women," Smith said. "Many of the players on this year's USA DII/Brazil Tour team had great individual seasons and led their teams into postseason play. This tour is designed to expose players to a great volleyball experience while providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for educational, cultural and social growth."

"Any time you have the opportunity to travel abroad while playing the sport you love, you have to take advantage," Augustana head volleyball coach Jennifer Jacobs said. "This is a tremendous opportunity and I am thrilled for Courtney. I can't wait to hear all of the stories she has to share when she returns."

The USA DII volleyball tour, which runs from May 28-June 6, is comprised of two teams (Red and Black team) with both teams beginning orientation in Orlando, Florida on May 28 before departing for Sao Paulo, Brazil that evening. The teams are scheduled to practice on May 29 in the city of Jundiai, before matches on may 30 and May 31 versus professional and club teams. The two USA DII teams will play double headers each night in the cities visited. The teams will then travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 1. In Rio, the teams are scheduled to be apart of an "International Challenge" on Saturday, June 2. The "International Challenge" consists of two matches versus club teams from the city of Rio De Janeiro. USA DII Volleyball will be competing against top U22, adult and professional club teams from the States of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on this tour.

While in Brazil, the teams 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 and touring the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Additionally, the team will visit the popular international market in Ipanema and Ipanema Beach.

USA DII Volleyball Team Rosters

USA DII RED Volleyball Team
Leah Bisignani - Seton Hill University
Maddy Bruder - Northwest Missouri State University
Cassidy Cason - Rollins College
Rachel Fletcher - Rollins College
Alyssa Gage - Southern Connecticut State University
Haley Hop - University of Alabama – Huntsville
Saavy Hughes - Truman State University
Rowan Jack - Notre Dame de Namur University
Leanna Jadus - Southern Connecticut State University
Alicia Pickett - Missouri Southern State University

USA D-2 RED Volleyball Coach
Lisa Bushman – Rollins College

USA DII BLACK Volleyball Team
Allyson Cappel - Ferris State University
Ava Carnley - University of North Alabama
Jennifer Eubanks - Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Malissa LeClaire - Upper Iowa University
Stormi Leonard - Ouachita Baptist University
Bethany Lovhaug - Upper Iowa University
Adrianna Nolly - Ouachita Baptist University
Courtney Place - Augustana University
Mikayla Watson - Oklahoma Baptist University
Hannah Williams - Northwestern Oklahoma State University

USA D-2 BLACK Volleyball Coach
Brianna Barry – Southeastern Oklahoma State University