EBOLI, Italy (July 5, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team – World University Games squad (WCNT – WUG) faced a challenging match on the first day of volleyball competition at the 2019 Summer Universiade. Despite their best efforts, they fell to the host nation Italy 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-23) at PalaSele Eboli.
Head coach Keegan Cook acknowledged Italy’s well-deserved victory, stating, “I thought it was a very high-level match, and Italy’s execution late in each set was slightly better than ours.” Cook also expressed his admiration for the team’s ability to organize and compete against a formidable opponent on short notice. He commended the entire roster, with ten players making their international debuts and representing themselves exceptionally well.
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Although Italy won all three sets, the U.S. team remained competitive throughout the match. They held leads of 15-16 in the first set and 12-16 in the third. However, Italy managed to rally and secure set wins on both occasions.
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The statistics reflected the closely contested nature of the match. Italy scored two more points on attacks, but the U.S. displayed greater efficiency, converting 36% of their swings compared to Italy’s 32%. Italy out-blocked the U.S. 7-5 and delivered three more aces, but the U.S. team recorded 64 receptions compared to Italy’s 59.
Reflecting on the match, outside hitter Kara Bajema from Washington commented, “There’s a lot of things we can take away, considering we’ve only been playing together for four days. I thought it was a really fun and competitive match with lots of long rallies. As we move forward, we can focus on improving our communication as a team. I have high hopes for what this team can achieve, and I’m excited for the rest of the tournament.”
Bajema stood out with 14 attacks, the highest among all players in the match. She also contributed two block points. Stephanie Samedy, the team’s opposite, added nine kills, and five other players made significant contributions with at least two kills each.
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Adanna Rollins, an outside hitter, led the USA Team with 22 serve receptions, while Meghan McClure added 14. Libero Lauren Barnes received 13 serves, with a positive rate of 54%, and Bajema recorded 12 receptions with a positive rate of 58%.
With this loss, WCNT – WUG is now 0-1 in Pool D, tied for third place with Switzerland. Italy and Japan currently lead the group with a 1-0 record. The U.S. team’s next match will be against Switzerland on Saturday, July 6, at 2:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time) at PalaSele Eboli.
Looking ahead, Coach Cook expressed his anticipation for the team’s performance in the tournament, stating, “[I’m] looking forward to seeing this group play again. They have the potential to go far in the tournament, but we must take care of business in this tough pool.”
FAQs
Q: How did the U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team – World University Games squad perform in their first match?
A: The U.S. team faced a tough opponent in the host nation Italy and unfortunately fell 3-0 in sets. Despite the loss, the American team showcased their competitive spirit and stayed close throughout the match.
Q: Who were the standout players for the U.S. team in the match against Italy?
A: Kara Bajema, an outside hitter, stood out for the U.S. team with 14 attacks, the highest among all players in the match. Stephanie Samedy, the team’s opposite, also had a notable performance with nine kills.
Q: What were the key statistics of the match between the U.S. and Italy?
A: The match was closely contested, with Italy scoring two more points on the attack. However, the U.S. team displayed greater efficiency, scoring on 36% of their swings compared to Italy’s 32%. Italy out-blocked the U.S. 7-5 and delivered three more aces, but the U.S. team recorded more receptions.
Summary
The U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team – World University Games squad put up a good fight in their first match against Italy at the 2019 Summer Universiade. Though they faced a tough opponent and fell 3-0 in sets, the U.S. team showed their competitive spirit and remained close throughout the match. Kara Bajema emerged as a standout player with 14 attacks, the highest among all players. Stephanie Samedy also contributed significantly with nine kills. Despite the loss, the team remains optimistic and looks forward to their upcoming matches. They have shown great potential and are determined to make their mark in the tough pool they compete in.
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