Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Erienne Barry/Bring it Promotions
Winder-led MW All-Stars face Iran in historic match at Global Challenge
7/19/2019 3:51:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
PULA, Croatia – The MW All-Star team, led by Fresno State head coach Jonathan Winder and senior setter Madelyn Halteman, was among the first teams to ever play volleyball against women from Iran as they competed in the European Global Challenge this week in Croatia.
The MW team faced Iran on Wednesday, recording a 2-1 (25-23, 16-25, 25-22) win during the group play stage of the tournament. The Iranian women, who went on to win the tournament title, were competing in the Global Challenge for the first time, as the country did not allow women to participate in sports in public until recently.
The Iranian squad was comprised of the country's senior national team and the MW All-Stars had a very unique experience in playing and interacting with women who historically have been unable to compete in athletics publicly.
"Not many American teams, in any sport, have had the opportunity to play against an Iranian delegation, and to do so here on the coast of Croatia is an incredible experience," said Erienne Barry, a former Boise State volleyball player who works for the host of the Global Challenge, Bring it Promotions (BIP).
The Mountain West has fielded a team at the Global Challenge for each of the last five years and is the only NCAA conference that sends its own squad to Europe. The conference provided Halteman and her teammates a rare opportunity to play internationally and see first-hand how sport can bring people with very different backgrounds and life experiences together in competition.
The MW team completed play in the Global Challenge on Friday having played seven matches over a four-day stretch. The MW All-Stars faced teams from Japan, Croatia, Finland, Hungary, and Iran while also playing one match against a fellow American team organized by BIP. The group began its European trip in London and will also visit Venice, Italy before returning home on Sunday.
Halteman said she has met so many fun and talented girls during the trip and is blessed to have made new friends around the world.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
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The MW team faced Iran on Wednesday, recording a 2-1 (25-23, 16-25, 25-22) win during the group play stage of the tournament. The Iranian women, who went on to win the tournament title, were competing in the Global Challenge for the first time, as the country did not allow women to participate in sports in public until recently.
The Iranian squad was comprised of the country's senior national team and the MW All-Stars had a very unique experience in playing and interacting with women who historically have been unable to compete in athletics publicly.
"Not many American teams, in any sport, have had the opportunity to play against an Iranian delegation, and to do so here on the coast of Croatia is an incredible experience," said Erienne Barry, a former Boise State volleyball player who works for the host of the Global Challenge, Bring it Promotions (BIP).
The Mountain West has fielded a team at the Global Challenge for each of the last five years and is the only NCAA conference that sends its own squad to Europe. The conference provided Halteman and her teammates a rare opportunity to play internationally and see first-hand how sport can bring people with very different backgrounds and life experiences together in competition.
The MW team completed play in the Global Challenge on Friday having played seven matches over a four-day stretch. The MW All-Stars faced teams from Japan, Croatia, Finland, Hungary, and Iran while also playing one match against a fellow American team organized by BIP. The group began its European trip in London and will also visit Venice, Italy before returning home on Sunday.
Halteman said she has met so many fun and talented girls during the trip and is blessed to have made new friends around the world.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
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