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KARLEY Hynes believes the Australian Volleyroos are better placed to match it with some of the sport's big guns than at any time since the joined the national team.
The former Bendigo volleyballer was this week named in a 14-player squad to represent Australia at the Women's Volleyball Grand Prix in June.
Adding to the excitement for Hynes, the round-robin tournament involving the Volleyroos, world number nine ranked Cuba, Croatia and Olympic qualifying hopefuls Colombia will be contested in Bendigo.
The 24-year-old pass hitter said it would be great to be representing Australia in the very stadium where her career launched as a teenager
"I can't wait - it's going to be awesome," Hynes said.
"My dad still lives in Bendigo, so I get back every now and then - just on and off for a few events.”
The Australian line-up comprises a blend of experienced and fresh and emerging talent.
Hynes was expecting a bold and competitive showing from the team, coached by former national Shannon Winzer.
"Each personality in the team is quite strong and independent - it seems each player really wants to work for one another," she said.
A former beach volleyballer, who won on a bronze medal at the 2009 World Youth Beach Championships, Hynes said the Volleyroos had steadily increased during her roughly four years in the squad.
Her assessment is backed by the world rankings which has the Volleyroos in 41st.
As recently as three-years ago they were ranked 100th.
Coach Winzer is preaching a more aggressive approach from the Volleyroos and Hynes is confident her and teammates can rise to the occasion.
"That's a real driving point for us, we can't afford to be timid or intimidated by these teams," she said.
“We can’t play safe.
"This year and this team has a real feel about it. It's exciting and unknowing the level we can actually compete at.”
Hynes, who grew up in Maiden Gully, continued to be thankful for the development opportunities gained through her early years involvement in the Bendigo Academy of Sport volleyball program.
“I know there is a couple of juniors away (overseas) at the moment involved in the national youth and junior teams,” she said.
“(And) I know when I was involved in the Bendigo academy I was looking up to the people in the senior team.
“Hopefully, being a local, I can be the person people look up to now. You can only hope.”