Be Careful When Crossing Croson

Candice Kasischke
Intern, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: candice.kasischke@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 18, 2010) – Whether competing on sand or on the indoor court, any opponent facing Jane Croson should expect her to bring the heat from any angle in both national and international play.

Croson (Lakewood, Calif.) is both a beach and indoor volleyball player and demonstrates head-turning versatility when playing either style of the game. At age 16, Croson has already made her mark globally by breaking a world record. In 2008, Croson and beach partner Summer Ross made history as the youngest pair to ever compete at the FIVB Junior (U-21) Beach World Championships. Not only did the then 15-year-olds contend in the elite event, but they also stunned the world with competitive play and a respectable seventh-place finish. The pair improved their standings the following year in the FIVB Youth (U-19) Beach World Championships, ranking fifth in the 2009 competition.

“It was an amazing feeling being out on the court at the FIVB Beach World Championships.” Croson said. “Summer and I got great experience playing the other countries. We loved traveling and playing different countries, even though it was a little intimidating. We just collected ourselves and thought ‘we can actually do this if we just stick to the basics.’”

Croson prefers playing beach over the indoor game because she enjoys the atmosphere and believes that it is more challenging due to the pressure of playing with only one partner.

“In outdoor volleyball, I have to be more aggressive, indoor communication is more important because there are more people,” Croson said. “I prefer beach volleyball because I’m always involved in the game and I can see the court better. There is no feeling like being out on the beach and diving in the sand. I obviously love indoor, too, and am working on that more so right now.”

Earlier this year Croson teamed with Ross to finish 13th at the AVP NIVEA Santa Barbara Open. She has also played in on AVP events in both 2008 and 2009. Croson’s renowned credentials confirm that her skill level is equally impressive on an indoor court as it is on the beach. She was selected 2007 StudentSportsVolleyball.com Freshman of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the Women’s International Division at the 2009 USA Volleyball High Performance Championships.

Copyrighted by: USA Volleyball Jane Croson attacking a ball at U.S. Women's Junior National Training Team Camp in May 2010 Recently, Croson has been working on her indoor game since verbally committing to play at University of Hawaii and being selected to compete on the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team. The U.S. Women’s Junior National Team trained for three days in May as part of the 12-player roster selection process for the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship in Tijuana, Mexico, from July 4-12. U.S. Women’s Junior National Head Coach Rob Browning, who also serves as head coach at Saint Mary’s College (Calif.), highlighted on Croson’s adaptability and effectiveness as a multi-positional attacker.

“Jane is a big-time attacker and can terminate from the right or left side,” Browning said. “She has a great arm and good attacking instincts. Jane also has a wonderful personality that makes it very easy to like her. She is laid back, easy going and does a nice job of rolling with whatever comes her way.”

Croson has enjoyed training under Browning’s coaching and is looking forward to playing internationally with the team in Mexico for the first time.

“I think he is a great coach.” Croson said. “He is very patient and he has taught us good techniques. I’m looking forward to playing for him at the tournament. I also have never been to Tijuana before and am looking forward to experiencing the styles from the different teams. It will also be great playing with the team; we are all such great friends.”

For someone who has created a name for herself internationally on the beach, Croson will have the opportunity to do the same now inside the gym competing on the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team.

Tags: Jane Croson, NORCECA Continental Championship, NORCECA Women's Junior Continental Championship, Rob Browning, U.S. Women's Junior National Team, U.S. Women's Junior National Training Team