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SPRINGFIELD -- For most college students, a late February visit to Colorado means a Spring Break ski getaway, but for Missouri State's Emily Butters, Lily Johnson and Lynsey Wright, a recent trip to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs meant a chance to compete for spots on the USA Volleyball Women's National Team and the U.S. Collegiate National Team.

Johnson and Wright, who will be juniors at MSU this fall, and Butters, a sophomore-to-be, were joined by over 200 other athletes from across the country at the tryouts, which were conducted by the U.S. Women's National Team staff, led by three-time Olympic gold medalist and head coach Karch Kiraly.

Evaluations were not only for the U.S. National Team, but for three additional Collegiate National Team opportunities. Separate groups of 12 players each will be selected for summer trips to Europe and China for training and matches, while a projected 36 additional athletes will be invited to Indianapolis in June for a program that includes competing at the USA Girls' Junior National Championships. Selections will be announced in late March.

"It was cool to represent MSU and the MVC and show what we have to offer. The MVC is stronger now than it has been before," said Johnson, the first two-time All-American in MSU volleyball history. "In college you have to be passionate, but looking around with all the other All-Americans on the court is something you don't see. Only the best of the best can represent the U.S. If you weren't on and giving it everything, then it wasn't going to be good enough. Everybody was the best player on their team."

The journey began Feb. 19 with a flight to Denver and drive to the Olympic Training Center, where the players checked in and got settled in their dorm room before the night's training session.

Athletes at the tryout were divided into three groups of roughly 75 players apiece, and participated in one training session Friday evening and two on Saturday. Each practice drill was evaluated under the watchful eyes of coaches and statisticians, as the top college players in the nation worked side-by-side.

The Bears even turned a few heads with their performances, drawing some interesting reactions when they revealed what school they attended after going toe-to-toe with players from some of college volleyball's traditional powers.

"I got a boost of confidence digging balls from players who were in the Final Four," Butters said of her biggest takeaway from the weekend. "Playing as the libero there, that confidence boost helped me to take control. Now I'm more mentally experienced, and that will help (at Missouri State)."

Added Wright: "Being around the top people in the country, and getting to play next to them was cool. You learn so much seeing what the next level can look like, and then you see the difference between college teams and the national team. I hope it's something I get to do again. You're not only representing Missouri State, but the U.S., which is amazing. To be in that small group is awesome."

Sunday, the games began, and the Bears each played in four 15-minute contests before heading back to the airport for an evening arrival in Springfield in time for Monday classes.

When asked how the experience will translate on to the court at MSU, Wright said: "Everyone was giving 110 percent every drill, and that is something we can bring back here. It takes it to another level, you're giving your heart to everything."

"We're all three thankful to everyone who supported us and allowed us to go," Johnson concluded. "We're extremely grateful to have had the chance."

"It was great being able to watch Lily, Lynsey and Emily representing our program in Colorado Springs," added MSU Head Coach Melissa Stokes, who took the Bears to their eighth NCAA Tournament since 2003 last fall. "Every opportunity an athlete gets to train and compete not only helps them grow as individual players, but also helps our program. I was very proud of the way they carried themselves throughout the weekend long tryout and that in itself made for a great experience."