SAINT PETER, Minn. – Macie Malchow of the No. 24 nationally ranked Gustavus volleyball team is competing on the USA D-3 Volleyball Women's Team for their 2026 Brazil Tour this month. The Gustie sophomore setter was selected to join this elite team as one of just 10 women's volleyball student-athletes from across the county, representing the best of Division III volleyball on the international stage.
"This is an outstanding group of young women & men," says Ron Smith, the Owner and Director of USA Sports Tours & Events. "Many of the players on this year's USA D-3 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 international volleyball experience while providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for educational, cultural and social growth."
The USA D-3 Volleyball Teams tour runs from June 8 through June 17. The team began with orientation in Orlando, Florida on June 8 before departing for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The team played doubleheaders on Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11 and will be a part of an "International Challenge" on Saturday, June 13 at the Marina Barra Clube in Barra Tijuca.
During the team's time in Rio, the teams will be conducting a youth clinic at the Marina Barra Clube, hosted by Ripper Volei as part of their "social outreach project". This popular outreach opportunity for the USA D-3 Volleyball Teams 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. In Rio, the team will be staying on the world 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 also visit the popular international market in Ipanema and Ipanema Beach.
Malchow led the Gusties this past fall with 588 assists with 7.08 assists per set. The sophomore also had 37 serves aces and had 78 kills with a .337 hitting percentage
This past season, Gustavus went 24-8 overall with a 9-2 record in the MIAC to tie for second in the conference. The Gusties advanced to the NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid and won their opening round match against Edgewood, 3-1.
USA D-3 Volleyball Women's Team - Roster
Riley Borrowman | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Sophia Feeney | Illinois Wesleyan University
Ava Gummer | Juniata College
Maggie Hayes | Juniata College
Andrea Hurt | Berry College
Nia Jones | Washington University
Grace Juergens | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Keira Kruk | Berry College
Macie Malchow | Gustavus Adolphus College
Madie Whitehead | Berry College
USA D-3 Volleyball Women's Team – Co-Head Coaches
Molly Bergin | Berry College
Rachel Ford | Berry College
