This week Utah volleyball gets the experience of hosting the world.
From Monday until Thursday, the Global Challenge is taking place at the Intermountain Volleyball Association Training Center in Salt Lake City.
Twelve of the 16 players on next year's Utes are competing for junior or senior level teams and are playing hosts to teams from around the United States, Russia, Slovenia, China and Canada.
U head coach Beth Launiere is coaching the Intermountain Junior Team, which features U players Emillie Toone, Kate Robison, Lori Baird and Kathryn Lovell. Launiere says the experience so far has been a good one.
"We took the Russian team up to Park City over the weekend. The bus broke down and the Russian girls were singing folk songs, with our girls teaching them Old McDonald," Launiere said. "You can't put a price on experiences like that."
While cultural exchanges are a part of the event, there is no lack of volleyball being played. The teams are playing five matches over three days, with playoffs on Thursday. The constant playing is viewed as a valuable tool, especially for the young players.
"The more you play in the summer, the better you [will be] in the fall," said sophomore Emillie Toone, who is moving to middle blocker this season. "It's a great time."
With international teams comes international style of play. The American players noted the differences in defensive schemes, as well as stricter refereeing and an all-around different feel to the game.
"It's different in other countries," Launiere said. "There are some adjustments that have to be made. They play a different style that we aren't used to."
The Global Challenge has been around in various forms since 2000, but this installment is the first one with a high amount of organization. The Challenge is expected to now be held annually, with the event taking place in Europe and the United States on an alternating basis.
The Utes open the season at Crimson Court on Aug. 26 when they host Idaho State.
jbeatty@chronicle.utah.edu
