Nazareth setter Emma Decker will be well traveled when she begins Nazareth’s preseason practice this month.
The 6-foot-3 senior, who verbally committed to Villanova, was named to USA Volleyball team’s Continental program and was headed to play in the High Performance Championships July 16-26 in Des Moines, Iowa. Club teammate Kaylin Korte, an Illinois-bound outside hitter from Morris, also was selected to the USA team.
Decker said up to 20 girls were picked and the schedule had them practicing for a week, followed by five days of competition.
After returning from Iowa, the La Grange resident was to travel to Villanova to participate in the Wildcats’ team camp July 27-31 with her future teammates.
Decker will begin preparations for the high school season with preseason practice beginning Aug. 10.
Qualifying for the Continental program is a huge national recognition for Decker. She’ll be regarded this upcoming season as one of the top setters in the Chicago area.
“It’s a great opportunity for the girls to play together at that level,” 1st Alliance club director Sue Keck said.
Decker said she qualified for another High Performance team two years ago, but was unable to attend that camp.
Former Nazareth teammate Julia Saunders, an incoming freshman outside hitter at Wisconsin, told Decker what to expect from some of the best competition in the country. Saunders participated in past USA Volleyball camps in the A1 developmental program.
“I’ve been working a lot of (things),” Decker said. “I’ve been jump setting a lot and consistently setting the ball higher to run a faster offense.”
Both Decker and Korte played for 1st Alliance 17U Silver team, which went 7-4 at the AAU Junior Olympics in Orlando, Fla. The 1st Alliance 17U Silver, which also featured Lyons senior defensive specialist Madison Babich, competed in the consolation bracket in Orlando after winning its first four matches in the 17 Open division.
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