Kozon selected for Polish National Team

WARSAW, Poland - After taking part in a training camp earlier this month, former Blue Raider standout and 2010 Sun Belt Player of the Year Izabela Kozon will be participating in the World University Games next month in Shenzhen, China, as a member of the Polish National Volleyball Team.

"Representing Poland is the highest honor that I can receive as an athlete," Kozon, a native of Warsaw, said. "I love playing for my country. Wearing the national team jersey always makes my heart beat faster and I think I compete even harder."

"It's really exciting for us to see Izabela get selected to represent her country," Blue Raider head coach Matt Peck said. "We are so proud of her and the accomplishments that she's achieved. We wish her the best of luck, and I know that she will represent Middle Tennessee in a great way."

Kozon was called into camp after a great senior campaign for the Blue Raiders, becoming the second player in school history to earn both Sun Belt Player of the Year and Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. Kozon credits her time wearing the Blue and White as helping her earn a spot on the Polish team roster.

"Going through national team camp was tough, but to be honest, I don't think anything is as tough as Middle Tennessee preseason camp," Kozon said. "I think my experience at MT along with the experiences of the other girls here helped us push each other though the toughest moments of camp."

Kozon is now the fourth current or former Blue Raider to compete at the 2011 Universiade, slated to begin on August 12 in Shenzhen, China. She will be joining golfer Jason Millard (USA) and track athletes Sarah Nambawa (Uganda) and Rosina Amenbede (Ghana) at the event, as each punched their tickets for their respective sports earlier this year.

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