Only a select few have the privilege of donning a uniform emblazoned with the letters “USA.” Two Grand Valley State club hockey players, junior center Kendra Myers and sophomore defenseman Corey Robison have been given the opportunity to do just that.

Myers (Cedar Springs, Mich.) and Robison (Lake Isabella, Mich.) were announced as part of the 22-member ice hockey roster that will represent the United States in Granada, Spain from Feb. 4-14 in the Winter World University Games.

“I’m so proud of both of them and it speaks highly of the development we’ve had with our program,” said GVSU coach Darrell Gregorio. “It’s the second time we’ve had players selected for the team and it speaks well for future recruitment.”

In 2009, three players from GVSU were picked when the women’s ice hockey games were first hosted. Although freshman Frankie Wojtylo was also given serious consideration for the team this season, Myers and Robison were the only Lakers selected by Kristen Wright, Team USA’s coach.

“I’m excited to do this because I’ll be able to get so much experience from this opportunity,” Robison said. “Stepping on that ice with that USA jersey is going to be incredible.”

‘Universiade,’ a combination of university and Olympiad, is also known as the World University Games. The event brings top athletes from around the world to compete against one another.

Myers and Robison will join a distinguished squad of athletes from top club hockey programs around the country with a coaching staff to complement.

Wright, the ice hockey coach at the University of Colorado, served as an assistant coach for the 2013 team. Head coach Scott Hicks of Miami University and Shelley Looney, a two-time member of the U.S. Olympics women’s ice hockey team (1998 gold, 2002 silver), will serve as assistant coaches.

“I think the level of hockey in Spain is going to be very high, but that will just mean for better competition,” Myers said. “Battling at a high level always makes you that much better of a player.”

Robison and Myers have developed their level of play since starting their careers at GVSU, proving that hard work pays off. Gregorio said both have become more confident handling the puck and improving their shot.

What makes both of them stand out, Gregorio said, is that Myers has good game sense and leads by example. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, Robison’s height allows her to cover her opponents no matter their size or speed, something Gregorio said the team would need against fast opponents like Team Canada.

“Even though they’ll be gone for a few games, it’s a good motivator for the other girls,” Gregorio said. “Others will have to step up, and, to them, if Myers and Robison can do it, they can too.”

Team USA will break out onto the ice for its first exhibition game against Team China on Feb. 5.

For more information about the team, visit www.usahockey.com.