Making the Olympics is tough in any sport, but to find a spot on the U.S. women's volleyball team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London seems like it is virtually impossible.

"I haven't heard of anyone retiring," said Emillie Toone, who returned from Egypt in April after scrimmaging with the Egyptians as one who has been invited as a candidate to spar for a coveted spot on the U.S. team.

"There are tons of girls competing," said Toone, who has used up all her eligibility at the University of Utah, where she stands at or near the top in a passel of statistical categories.

Officially, Toone competed on the "developmental" team. The trip to Egypt provided an opportunity for U.S. team officials to evaluate prospects competing together rather than starring on their individual teams.

She made several friends with the women that she was competing with.

"There are so many amazing middles that I can learn from," she said, and she realized: "I have a lot of work to do."

The same process will play out next year with even more invitees, and the official team will not be chosen until 2011. Whether Toone gets another crack at the developmental team depends on how she performs in the upcoming season, where she hopes to continue developing her skills in Europe.

She said she immensely enjoyed her experience in Egypt but told of one teammates there who has been trying to make the Olympic team for a long time without success.

"She has been doing this for 12 years," said Toone, "and never made the final cut."

So each year, bigger, faster, stronger and better athletes pour out of the college ranks and compete with veteran players who have hung on to their dream by playing somewhere. And remember, from the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, no one has retired — at least not yet.

The odds are staggering. Indeed, it is a privilege to merely have been invited to vie for a position.

And that is the way Toone feels.

"It was amazing to get to know the girls (from the Egyptian team that they played) there in Egypt," she said. "We were able to exchange jerseys with them."

Next year, the Egyptians will travel to the U.S. to play.

She added, "They want to come to America. That is their dream in life."

Recognizing that spirit and seeing the conditions there, Toone observed, "We are so blessed as Americans. It makes me want to do more for others."

And Toone is well-prepared should her Olympic dream not work out. She finishes up her degree at the U. this summer in health education.

At some point, Toone noted, "I would love to get into coaching."

Ideally, she prefers it would be at the college level, but if it only pans out for high school, she is prepared to teach.

A friend is helping Toone to try to catch on with a European team and she knows her window of opportunity to play is shrinking.

"I don't know how long I want to keep going," she said, "but as long as my health holds up and I can enjoy it."

E-MAIL: wjewkes@desnews.com