By Sue DePassio
C & G Sports Writer

Sports fans in the Fraser area know 2004 Fraser High graduate Angie McGinnis as the volleyball phenom that helped the Ramblers to two straight state championships in 2003 and 2004.

Since McGinnis left Michigan four years ago and headed to the University of Florida, she’s racked up too many accolades to list.

Now that her collegiate career is over, McGinnis has been spending her time in Colorado Springs,  Colo., training with the U.S. Women’s National Team full time. Her ultimate goal is to make the Olympic team and head off to China wearing red, white and blue.

She recently returned home from China with the national team after a three-week competitive trip (March 17-April 6).

“It’s definitely a great experience,” McGinnis said about traveling with the national team. “You get to see different parts of the world.”

With the 2008 Summer Olympics on the horizon, McGinnis got a taste of what the historic event entails and what it would be like to play on that platform.

“I saw the Olympic stadium when I was over there, and we got to see where the opening ceremonies are,” McGinnis said. “It just seems like the ultimate place to play. You’re playing with the top players in the world. It would be an incredible experience.”

While none of the players in training will find out if their Olympic dreams have come true until the official Olympic roster is released in mid-July, there are still two major tournaments the national team will compete in — the Pan American Cup in Mexico (May and June), and the World Grand Prix in Asia (June and July).

With McGinnis’ name on the roster for the summer tournaments, she knows it will take a top performance to earn a position on the Olympic team.

“I’m on the 19-man roster right now,” said McGinnis. “For me, I’ve been training for so long, it would be dream come true to make the (Olympic) team.”

For McGinnis, the physical toll she endures — practicing six hours a day, six days a week — is worth it if it means a place on the podium.

“I’m done playing in college, because my eligibility is done. So if I want to keep playing the sport that I love, this — or playing professionally — is all I have left,” she said. “I’m not sick of it yet, so I definitely want to keep playing. This will give me a better opportunity to get better offers and have more options if I do decide to go play professionally.”

Volleyball fans can keep up with McGinnis and the U.S. Women’s National team by visiting www.usavolleyball.org

You can reach Sports writer Sue DePassio at sdepassio@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107.