LOGAN, Utah-Wednesday, the Mountain West Conference announced it will be represented by a pair of student-athletes from Utah State volleyball at the 2018 Global Challenge of Pula, Croatia.

Senior libero Tasia Taylor and sophomore middle Bailey Downing are the Aggies who will be joining other Mountain West volleyball players that will travel to Europe July 4-15. The challenge will consist of matches in England, Italy and Croatia.

Taylor, a Taylorsville, Utah product, is the sole libero representing the Aggies and she led the squad last season with 525 digs, averaging 4.86 per set. Taylor also set the school record for digs in a three-set match amassing 25 in the Aggies’ 3-0 sweep of UNLV October 28.

Downing, a sophomore out of Lucas, Texas, appeared in 26 matches last season and finished fifth on the team with 91 kills, averaging 1.21 kills per set. Downing finished third on the team with 73 blocks, averaging 0.97 blocks per set.

The Global Challenge’s opening ceremonies are slated for July 9 and the competition runs from July 10-13.

The purpose of this event is to provide teams with international playing experience and exposure.