The U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team (GYNT) is gearing up for the biennial NORCECA Women’s U18 Continental Championship, taking place from September 2 to 7 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The team will be vying for one of the two spots up for grabs in the 2017 FIVB Women’s U18 World Championship.
Pool Assignments
The GYNT has been placed in Pool B, alongside Barbados, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. In Pool A, we have Costa Rica, French St. Martin, Mexico, and host Puerto Rico. All matches will be held at the Pedrin Zorrilla Stadium.
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Tournament Schedule
Team USA will kick off the tournament against Guatemala on September 2 at 4 p.m. ET. They will then face Barbados on September 3 at 2 p.m. ET and Dominican Republic on September 4 at 6 p.m. ET.
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The top team from each pool will advance directly to the semifinals on September 6. The second and third-place teams will play crossover quarterfinals on September 5. The tournament will conclude on September 7 with the final classification matches, including the medal round matches. The two teams that finish in the top two positions will secure their spots in next year’s age-group FIVB World Championship.
Goal and Strategy
“Our goal at this U-18 NORCECA Championship is to qualify for the 2017 FIVB World Championship,” U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team Head Coach Erin Virtue stated. “To achieve this, we must finish in the top two in the tournament. Our team understands the importance of focusing only on the match directly in front of us. We take it one day at a time, giving each opponent our utmost respect.”
Previous Success
The U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team has been a force to be reckoned with in the U18 age group. They have emerged victorious in seven out of the nine NORCECA Women’s U18 Continental Championships since the event’s inception in 1998. The team to break their streak of six consecutive titles was Dominican Republic, the defending champion of the event.
Team Composition
The GYNT roster consists of six pin hitters (outside hitters/opposites), three middles, two setters, and one libero. The pin hitters are Logan Eggleston, Skylar Fields, Mia Grunze, Allison Martinez, Brooklyn Schirmer, and Haley Warner. The middles are Sophia Dorsch-Summers, Serena Gray, and Kendall Kipp. The setters are Erin O’Leary and Ella Powell, and the libero is Brooke Nuneviller.
Road to NORCECA
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The 12-player GYNT roster was selected after a training camp involving the entire U.S. Girls’ Youth National Training Team in July. These players then participated as a team in the 2016 USA Volleyball High Performance Championships, which took place from July 19 to 23 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Competing in the international Women’s U20 Division, the GYNT finished fifth, going up against teams with players two years older.
First-Ever International Event
All 12 members of the GYNT are making their debut appearance in a NORCECA or FIVB international event. Last year, they were part of USA Volleyball’s Girls’ Select age group.
Coaching Staff and Support Team
Erin Virtue serves as the Head Coach of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team, with Stacy Sykora and Kayla Cole as Assistant Coaches. Nicki Holmes is the Technical Coordinator, Molly Mattea is the Physiotherapist, and Denise Sheldon is the Team Leader.
Conclusion
The U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team is ready to take on the competition at the NORCECA Women’s U18 Continental Championship. With a history of success in the U18 age group, the team aims to secure their spot in the 2017 FIVB World Championship. Stay tuned for thrilling matches and watch as these talented young athletes compete for glory.
FAQs
Q: How many spots are available for the 2017 FIVB Women’s U18 World Championship?
A: Two spots are up for grabs in the NORCECA Women’s U18 Continental Championship.
Q: How can I follow the GYNT’s progress in the tournament?
A: You can keep up with the team’s journey on the official Alpinetgheep website.
Q: Has the GYNT participated in international events before?
A: No, this is the first time the GYNT members are competing in a NORCECA or FIVB international event.
Q: Who is the Head Coach of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team?
A: Erin Virtue is the Head Coach of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team.
Q: How many players are on the GYNT roster?
A: The GYNT roster consists of 12 players.
Q: When does the tournament conclude?
A: The tournament concludes on September 7 with the final classification matches, including the medal round matches.
Q: What is the goal of the GYNT in this tournament?
A: The goal of the GYNT is to qualify for the 2017 FIVB World Championship by finishing in the top two positions in the tournament.
Q: How many NORCECA Women’s U18 Continental Championships has the GYNT won?
A: The GYNT has won seven out of the nine NORCECA Women’s U18 Continental Championships held since 1998.
Nguồn: https://www.alpinetgheep.com
Danh mục: Volleyball
