Monday, 30 Dec 2024

USA Volleyball Announces U.S. Olympic Women’s Team

USA Volleyball is thrilled to reveal the 12-player roster for the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team set to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games from August 6-20. Head Coach Karch Kiraly and his staff have carefully selected a team consisting of four Olympic veterans and eight first-time Olympians. The team is determined to make history and bring home the gold in Rio.

Introducing the Team

The roster includes four returning players from Team USA’s 2012 Olympic Games silver-medal finish in London: Middles Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Florida) and Christa Dietzen (Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania), outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Nebraska), and setter Courtney Thompson (Kent, Washington). Joining them are newcomers Kim Hill (Portland, Oregon) and Kelsey Robinson (Bartlett, Illinois) as outside hitters, Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) as a middle, Karsta Lowe (Rancho Santa Fe, California) and Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Illinois) as opposites, and Alisha Glass (Leland, Michigan) and Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, California) as setters. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) completes the roster as the libero.

The team is well-balanced, with three outside hitters, three middles, three setters, two opposites, and one libero, averaging 27.0 years of age. Thompson, at 32 years old, is the oldest member of the team, while Lowe, at 23 years old, is the youngest.

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Aiming for Gold

Head Coach Karch Kiraly expressed his confidence in the team, stating, “We aspire to be a team that adds up to far more than the sums of our parts. We believe we have assembled a group that is capable of embracing the challenges a tournament like the Olympics will surely present.”

The U.S. Women’s National Team has already achieved several milestones in the current Olympic cycle, including winning their first-ever FIVB World Championship gold medal in 62 years in 2014. However, they are still vying for their first Olympic gold medal. With a core group of experienced players and the addition of talented newcomers, the team is poised to make a strong push for the top podium spot.

Impressive Track Record

The U.S. Women’s National Team has been on a roll in recent years, winning six out of their last eight tournaments since the 2014 FIVB World Championship. Most recently, they captured the silver medal in the FIVB World Grand Prix, losing to 2016 Olympic Games host Brazil in a thrilling five-set match. The team’s impressive performance included wins over second-ranked China and fourth-ranked Russia. The U.S. has consistently reached the medal podium in the eight straight tournaments they have participated in.

Schedule in Rio

During the Olympic Games, Team USA will compete in Pool B, facing off against China, Italy, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, and Serbia. The top four teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals, where the winners will move on to the semifinal medal round. The tournament concludes with the gold- and bronze-medal matches on August 20.

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FAQs

Q: Who is the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team?
A: The head coach is Karch Kiraly, the only person to have won Olympic gold as both a volleyball player and coach.

Q: How many newcomers are on the team?
A: There are eight first-time Olympians on the team.

Q: What are the team’s chances of winning gold?
A: With a strong roster and a track record of success, the team is well-positioned to compete for the gold medal.

Conclusion

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team is ready to make their mark in Rio. With a perfect blend of experience and fresh talent, the team is aiming for their first Olympic gold medal. Stay tuned for their exciting journey as they compete against the world’s top teams, showcasing their skills and determination on the grandest sporting stage. For more information about the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, please visit the official Alpinetgheep website.