Richmond's Katie Miyazaki is among 15 players invited to this week's Development Women's National Team (DWNT) tryout camp in Abbotsford.
The DWNT is heading to Shenzhen, China. to compete at the Summer Universiade from Aug. 12-23. This marks the 26th time the International University Sports Federation (FISU) will host the Summer Universiade, which is the second largest multi-sport event in the world, next to the Olympic Games.
Miyazaki is coming off another outstanding season at the CIS level, this time with the University of Saskatchewan where she helped the Huskies reach the national championship game and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. The 5-foot-9 guard was also named the CIS Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.
She averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game and led the Canada West in steals (3.6 per game). She also ranked fourth in the conference in assists (4.2).
The Hugh Boyd graduate transfered to Saskatchewan to continue her CIS eligibility after SFU opted to play at the NCAA Division II level. She had helped the Clan win back-to-back national championships before their move to the American division.
The DNWT tryout by invitation roster consists of talent from coast to coast with no shortage of international experience.
Of the 15 players invited, seven have played internationally as part of Canada's National Team Program, including B.C.'s Megan Pinske and Julie Seabrook (North Vancouver, B.C.). Kelsey Hodgson (Fredericton) and Zara Huntley (Halifax) are the only returning members from the last World University Games in 2009, when Canada finished 15th in Belgrade, Serbia.
Univerisity of Saskatchewan head coach Lisa Thomaidis will be guiding the Canadian team.
The tryout camp concludes on Friday.
