Rock Hill, S.C. – The Winthrop volleyball program has announced that freshmen Sophia Matthews, Paige Bennett, and redshirt sophomore Rachel McCollum will be participating in the USA Volleyball Women's National Team Open Program from Feb. 21-23. Head Coach Heather Gearhart will also attend the program to assist with court coaching and program evaluator duties. This is the first time Winthrop has had players attend the National Team Open Program.

"I couldn't be more excited for our athletes attending the Open Program and what it means for the program and their teammates," Coach Gearhart said. "They are helping push the trajectory of our program on and off the court, and I'm so happy they will be taking part in this opportunity. It is such a great experience for the players to be involved in and will be so valuable for them. I'm eager to see them grow and what they're able to bring back to our gym after this experience."

The WNT Open Program is 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 (NTDP).

The program is scheduled for Feb. 21-23 at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and is open to current and recently graduated college-age athletes born in the years 2001-2007* inclusive.

In her rookie season, Matthews finished tied 18^th in NCAA D1 in digs per set. She was twice named Big South Libero of the Week, named to the Big South All-Freshman Team, as well as Big South All-Tournament Team. She played in 23 matches and recorded double figure digs in every match she has played as an Eagle. Matthews currently ranks 3rd in single season digs by a freshman in program history (397). Matthews recorded two-30 dig matches, highlighted by 33 in three sets, setting the program record for most digs in a 3-set match.

Bennett played in 19 matches this past season, had two matches with double-doubles and tacked on four matches with double figures in kills and five matches with double figures in digs. Bennett made her debut vs. Virginia Tech at home (Aug. 30) and in her first career match as an Eagle recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 17 digs. She was named to the VCU Invitational All-Tournament Team during non-conference as well. 

McCollum played in all 27 matches, was second on the team in kills with 213 and blocks with 51 and added in 135 digs. She was named to the 2024 Big South Volleyball All-Tournament Team and was named an All-District honoree by the CSC.

Coach Gearhart will be assisting the USAV National Team Staff at the tryout as a court coach and assisting with evaluator duties. Coach Gearhart previously attended the open tryout as a player and competed for the USA Women's Collegiate National Team the following summer.

The 2025 age-group national teams to be organized by the NTDP include Women's U21 (athletes born in 2005 and younger) and Girls U19 (athletes born in 2007 and younger) competing at their respective Pan American Cups and FIVB World Championships. New in 2025, the NTDP will organize a Women's U23 National Team (athletes born in 2003 and younger) that will train and compete at an international event in lieu of the Women's Collegiate National Team, which was a domestic-only training program.