Kimm and LaPlant Selected to USA D2 Volleyball Team for 2026 Brazil Tour
4/27/2026 4:29:00 PM | Volleyball
Duo named to Blue Team, will take part in international event from May 11-20
SANFORD, Fla. – St. Cloud State Volleyball junior outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) and sophomore setter Braya LaPlant (Grand Rapids, Minn.) have been selected to the USA D-2 Volleyball Team for the Brazil Tour 2026, as announced by Ron Smith of USA Sports Tours & Events on April 18. The duo was named to the Blue Team and will take part in the international event from May 11-20.
The USA D-2 Volleyball Teams are invited NCAA Division II women's players from across the country. The teams are comprised of players recognized nationally, regionally and by their conferences. The Blue Team is made up of 10 players representing seven different colleges and universities from nine different home states.
"This is an outstanding group of young women," said Smith. "Many of the players on this year's USA D-2 Volleyball Team - Brazil Tour had great individual seasons and led their teams into post season play. This tour is designed to expose players to a great volleyball experience while providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for educational, cultural and social growth."
The USA D-2 Volleyball Team tour will run from May 11-20. The team will begin with orientation in Orlando, Florida on May 11 before the team departs for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The teams will play doubleheaders in each city/club. The teams will practice on Tuesday at the Barra Marina Clube in Barra Tijuca. The teams will play on Wednesday and Thursday vs. Brazilian teams (to be determined). In Rio the teams will be a part of the "International Challenge" on Saturday, May 16th. The USA teams will play 2 matches each vs. Fluminense and Barra Mansa Volei Clube.
During the team's time in Rio the TEAM will be conducting a youth clinic at the Marina Barra Clube, hosted by the Ripper Volei Clube as part of their "social outreach project". This popular outreach opportunity for the USA D-2 Volleyball Team is already filled to capacity.
While in Brazil the team will experience educational, cultural, and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits. While in Rio the team will be staying on the famous Copacabana Beach (location for the 2016 Rio Olympic Beach Volleyball) and touring the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. The team will visit the popular international market in Ipanema and Ipanema Beach.
"Shelby and Braya have continued the tradition of Huskies Volleyball excellence, and this is another opportunity that has come along because of our team's success," said head coach Chad Braegelmann. "We are excited they get to travel and play international volleyball - this experience will only help their development and growth going forward and we look forward to hearing their stories and travels."
In 2025, Kimm had a breakout season on the court, earning her first all-America honors after being named an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Second Team All-American. She also earned the first all-region and all-conference recognition of her career, being named to the AVCA All-Central Region First Team, the Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Central Region Second team and the All-NSIC First Team.
The North Liberty, Iowa native was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC All-Tournament Team (second consecutive season). The junior outside hitter averaged 3.88 points, 3.47 digs, 3.40 kills and 0.46 blocks per set this season.
In the classroom, Kimm, who boasts a 3.95 GPA as a Statistics and Accounting double major, was named to the CSC Academic All-America® Third Team, becoming just the fourth player in program history to become a CSC Academic All-America® recipient. Prior to that, Kimm earned her second consecutive/overall CSC Academic All-District® honor. She is also a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree and a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team choice.
LaPlant flourished in 2025 after becoming the team's full-time setter early in the season, earning the first national, regional and conference awards of her career. She was named an AVCA Second Team All-American while also being named to the AVCA All-Central Region First Team and the D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team and the All-NSIC First Team.
The sophomore setter was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team and the NSIC All-Tournament Team. She became just the fifth player in program history to be named AVCA DII Player of the Week and was the lone Husky to earn weekly NSIC honors this season after being named Setter of the Week twice (her first career weekly awards). LaPlant was named the SCSU Wolters Kluwer Athlete of the Month for September. The Grand Rapids, Minnesota native averaged 11.69 assists, 2.21 digs, 1.23 points, 0.62 kills and 0.49 blocks per set this season. LaPlant's 1,309 assists this season rank No. 8 on the program's single season top 10 list and she produced three of the top 10 single match assist performances this season.
In the classroom, LaPlant is an Elementary/K-6 Education major with a 3.74 GPA and earned her first CSC Academic All-District® honor after previously being named as a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Academic Team of Excellence member and a NSIC All-Academic Team selection.
USA Sports Tours & Events Release
USA D-2 Volleyball Team Rosters - 2026
USA D-2 Volleyball BLUE TEAM
Emerson Ahsmuhs Carson-Newman University (TN)
Emily Campbell Anderson University (SC)
Ana Colon University of West Florida (FL)
Mia Elder Anderson University (SC)
Hayley Hillman Spring Hill College (AL)
Shelby Kimm St. Cloud State University (MN)
Braya LaPlant St. Cloud State University (MN)
Maddie Mire University of West Florida (FL)
Lillia Neill Lynn University (FL)
Tory Vitko Bentley University (MA)
USA D-2 Volleyball BLUE TEAM – Head Coach
Lauren Tekavec (Florida Southern College)
USA D-2 Volleyball RED TEAM
Mackenzie Casey Adelphi University (NY)
Addison Cunnagin Trevecca Nazarene University (TN)
Kayla Dulgar Wayne State University (MI_
Cam Grange Rollins College (FL)
Holly Heldt Missouri Western State University (MO)
Henley Hooks Arkansas Tech University (AR)
Alex McGeehan University of Alabama-Huntsville (AL)
Molly Morris Rollins College (FL)
Katerina Stout Wayne State University (MI)
Anna Weberg Missouri Western State University (MO)
USA D-2 Volleyball RED TEAM – Head Coach
Bentley Odom (Mississippi College)
A LOOK BACK AT THE FALL SEASON
The Huskies are coming off another historic season in which they:
The USA D-2 Volleyball Teams are invited NCAA Division II women's players from across the country. The teams are comprised of players recognized nationally, regionally and by their conferences. The Blue Team is made up of 10 players representing seven different colleges and universities from nine different home states.
"This is an outstanding group of young women," said Smith. "Many of the players on this year's USA D-2 Volleyball Team - Brazil Tour had great individual seasons and led their teams into post season play. This tour is designed to expose players to a great volleyball experience while providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for educational, cultural and social growth."
The USA D-2 Volleyball Team tour will run from May 11-20. The team will begin with orientation in Orlando, Florida on May 11 before the team departs for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The teams will play doubleheaders in each city/club. The teams will practice on Tuesday at the Barra Marina Clube in Barra Tijuca. The teams will play on Wednesday and Thursday vs. Brazilian teams (to be determined). In Rio the teams will be a part of the "International Challenge" on Saturday, May 16th. The USA teams will play 2 matches each vs. Fluminense and Barra Mansa Volei Clube.
During the team's time in Rio the TEAM will be conducting a youth clinic at the Marina Barra Clube, hosted by the Ripper Volei Clube as part of their "social outreach project". This popular outreach opportunity for the USA D-2 Volleyball Team is already filled to capacity.
While in Brazil the team will experience educational, cultural, and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits. While in Rio the team will be staying on the famous Copacabana Beach (location for the 2016 Rio Olympic Beach Volleyball) and touring the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. The team will visit the popular international market in Ipanema and Ipanema Beach.
"Shelby and Braya have continued the tradition of Huskies Volleyball excellence, and this is another opportunity that has come along because of our team's success," said head coach Chad Braegelmann. "We are excited they get to travel and play international volleyball - this experience will only help their development and growth going forward and we look forward to hearing their stories and travels."
In 2025, Kimm had a breakout season on the court, earning her first all-America honors after being named an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Second Team All-American. She also earned the first all-region and all-conference recognition of her career, being named to the AVCA All-Central Region First Team, the Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Central Region Second team and the All-NSIC First Team.
The North Liberty, Iowa native was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC All-Tournament Team (second consecutive season). The junior outside hitter averaged 3.88 points, 3.47 digs, 3.40 kills and 0.46 blocks per set this season.
In the classroom, Kimm, who boasts a 3.95 GPA as a Statistics and Accounting double major, was named to the CSC Academic All-America® Third Team, becoming just the fourth player in program history to become a CSC Academic All-America® recipient. Prior to that, Kimm earned her second consecutive/overall CSC Academic All-District® honor. She is also a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree and a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team choice.
LaPlant flourished in 2025 after becoming the team's full-time setter early in the season, earning the first national, regional and conference awards of her career. She was named an AVCA Second Team All-American while also being named to the AVCA All-Central Region First Team and the D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team and the All-NSIC First Team.
The sophomore setter was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team and the NSIC All-Tournament Team. She became just the fifth player in program history to be named AVCA DII Player of the Week and was the lone Husky to earn weekly NSIC honors this season after being named Setter of the Week twice (her first career weekly awards). LaPlant was named the SCSU Wolters Kluwer Athlete of the Month for September. The Grand Rapids, Minnesota native averaged 11.69 assists, 2.21 digs, 1.23 points, 0.62 kills and 0.49 blocks per set this season. LaPlant's 1,309 assists this season rank No. 8 on the program's single season top 10 list and she produced three of the top 10 single match assist performances this season.
In the classroom, LaPlant is an Elementary/K-6 Education major with a 3.74 GPA and earned her first CSC Academic All-District® honor after previously being named as a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Academic Team of Excellence member and a NSIC All-Academic Team selection.
USA Sports Tours & Events Release
USA D-2 Volleyball Team Rosters - 2026
USA D-2 Volleyball BLUE TEAM
Emerson Ahsmuhs Carson-Newman University (TN)
Emily Campbell Anderson University (SC)
Ana Colon University of West Florida (FL)
Mia Elder Anderson University (SC)
Hayley Hillman Spring Hill College (AL)
Shelby Kimm St. Cloud State University (MN)
Braya LaPlant St. Cloud State University (MN)
Maddie Mire University of West Florida (FL)
Lillia Neill Lynn University (FL)
Tory Vitko Bentley University (MA)
USA D-2 Volleyball BLUE TEAM – Head Coach
Lauren Tekavec (Florida Southern College)
USA D-2 Volleyball RED TEAM
Mackenzie Casey Adelphi University (NY)
Addison Cunnagin Trevecca Nazarene University (TN)
Kayla Dulgar Wayne State University (MI_
Cam Grange Rollins College (FL)
Holly Heldt Missouri Western State University (MO)
Henley Hooks Arkansas Tech University (AR)
Alex McGeehan University of Alabama-Huntsville (AL)
Molly Morris Rollins College (FL)
Katerina Stout Wayne State University (MI)
Anna Weberg Missouri Western State University (MO)
USA D-2 Volleyball RED TEAM – Head Coach
Bentley Odom (Mississippi College)
A LOOK BACK AT THE FALL SEASON
The Huskies are coming off another historic season in which they:
- Advanced to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament/11th in program history
- Advanced to their second consecutive/fourth overall NCAA region championship in program history (also third in last four seasons).
- En route to the region championship, the Huskies beat the No. 17 team in the nation before taking down the No. 2 team and tournament host, Nebraska Kearney, on their home court.
- Tied the program record for NCAA Tournament wins in a season (two – 4x; 1995, 2022, 2024, 2025)
- Won their second consecutive/fourth overall NSIC Tournament championship (all in last five years) after taking down the No. 13, No. 2 and No. 5 teams in the country
- Were ranked inside the top 16 of the AVCA Poll every week and finished the season ranked No. 5 for the second straight season (third time ever)
- Earned wins over 13 ranked opponents including four against top-five teams
- Had three AVCA Second Team All-Americans
- Had three All-Central Region performers (AVCA – 3x first team; D2CCA – 1x first team, 2x second team)
- Earned one AVCA DII National weekly honor
- Had four NCAA Central Regional All-Tournament Team selections
- Had four NSIC All-Tournament Team selections
- Had a player earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award for the first time in program history (10th Husky overall)
- Had four All-NSIC performers (3x first team, 1x second team)
- Earned two NSIC weekly awards
- Had one College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America® selection (fourth in program history)
- Had four CSC Academic All-District® selections
- Had 10 NSIC All-Academic Team selections (nine also named to All-Academic Team of Excellence)
Players Mentioned
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