AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball standout Ashley Diedrich recently participated and performed extremely well in the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts Feb. 20-22 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"It was an amazing experience," Diedrich said. "Whether I make the team or not, being there and competing is something I'll remember forever.

On the first day of tryouts the participants warmed up prior to peppering. After that, they worked on serve and serve/receive. The players worked on hitting lines before playing six on six "Queen of the Court."

"The two hour sessions went by really quick," Diedrich said. "I was able to get in so many reps for hitting and it made the time go by fast.

"I was extremely nervous the first day, but everyone was so supportive of each other that it helped me relax," Diedrich stated. "Everyone had a good attitude and nobody was above anyone else. Even the ones playing the same position had a positive attitude toward one another."

Diedrich not only excelled the first day, but also on the final two days of competition.

"Competing at the tryout boosted my confidence," Diedrich said. "Before I didn't know where I stood at a national level and now I know. By competing against a bigger block, it forced me to see the court more and work on my placement. That is something I'll continue to work on for the 2015 season.

"During one of the hitting drills, everyone was trying to show their power against the block. For the first time, I really saw the block and tipped it to the deep corner where nobody was," Diedrich stated. "That's when I started to really see the court."

Diedrich and the rest of her teammates will continue spring practice and will open the 2015 campaign at a tournament hosted by Armstrong State Sept. 4-5.