Volleyball: Bay pair eye world spot

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Hawke's Bay's Laina Samia, left, and Saar Lichtenberg Cloo will travel to Thailand tomorrow to represent New Zealand at the Asian under-17 volleyball championships. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

Hawke's Bay volleyballer Saar Lichtenberg Cloo regularly dreams about scoring a volleyball scholarship in the United States.

During the next 11 days she will get an indication of how close that dream is to becoming reality. Tomorrow Lichtenberg Cloo and fellow Napier Girls' High School student Laina Samia travel to Thailand as the Hawke's Bay representatives in the New Zealand under-17 girls team which will compete in the Asian Championships.

"There's bound to be scouts from the United States there. I know I would have to train a bit more to get up to scholarship standard but it would be cool if it happens," Lichtenberg Cloo said.

The year 12 student pointed out the Kiwis will be among at least 12 teams in Thailand and the top eight will qualify for next year's world championships. An outside hitter, Lichtenberg Cloo will be experiencing her first taste of international duty after being in Kiwi training squads in the past.

With her parents Pete and Wietzke as well as her grandfather regular volleyballers it was only natural Lichtenberg Cloo should become a serious volleyballer from the age of nine. She is grateful for the coaching she has received from her father as well as Samia's father, successful Hawke's Bay age group coach Alani Samia, for the progress she has made in the code.

Regardless of whether or not her dream becomes reality Lichtenberg Cloo is likely to end up in a health-related career.

"I like helping other people," she said.

A versatile post hitter, Samia, took up volleyball during her days at Napier Central School. She will also be pulling on the silver fern for the first time.

The year 11 student has already represented Hawke's Bay at senior nationals level and like Lichtenberg Cloo will miss the Hawke's Bay under-17 team's nationals this week because of international duty.

In addition to playing for the Hawke's Bay women and under-17s, Samia, has also played for her school's senior A and junior teams this year. She is equally as talented at netball and basketball and her selection for the Thailand trip is an indication of which code is likely to get the nod if she eventually has to choose between the three.

Another of her long-term goals is to attend university and study physiotherapy.

"And of course carry on with sport," she added.

Since Sunday the pair have been in camp with their New Zealand teammates.