The U.S. Women’s National Team encountered a challenging match against their NORCECA zonal rivals, the Dominican Republic. This exciting encounter took place in Conegliano, Italy, during the FIVB Volleyball Nations League. Despite their best efforts, the U.S. team fell short, losing 3-2 in a thrilling battle.
The U.S. team, previously unbeaten in the tournament, now stands at 5-1 with 15 points in the 2019 VNL. However, they have an opportunity for redemption as they return to their home soil in Lincoln, Nebraska, next week. The Americans will face Korea on June 4, followed by matches against Germany on June 5 and Brazil on June 6. All three matches will be held at Pinnacle Bank Arena, with start times set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
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It is worth noting that the U.S. team was the last remaining undefeated squad in the VNL before this defeat. Nevertheless, Dominican Republic put up an impressive performance, improving their record to 3-3 with eight points, currently placing them in ninth position in the VNL standings. The competition has been fierce, with 10 teams boasting records at or above .500 through the first six matches.
Now, let’s delve into the details of this intense match. In the first set, Dominican Republic secured a convincing victory, winning 25-10 after a remarkable 17-3 run. However, the U.S. team fought back in the second set, showing great resilience and determination, and ultimately prevailing with a score of 25-16.
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The third set saw Dominican Republic regain their momentum, with a 25-19 win. But the U.S. team rallied once again, demonstrating their strength in the fourth set, which they won decisively with a score of 25-19. This forced a fifth and final set, where Dominican Republic proved to be the stronger team, securing a 15-11 victory to clinch the match.
Several standout performances deserve recognition. Middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu led the U.S. team’s offensive efforts, earning an impressive 16 points, including 14 kills, one block, and one ace. Dana Rettke, another middle blocker, made significant contributions with 10 kills, one block, and one ace, while outside hitter Madi Kingdon Rishel added 11 points, with nine kills and two blocks.
Annie Drews, who started in the final two sets as the opposite hitter, made a significant impact, scoring 10 kills and blocking effectively. Jordan Thompson, also an opposite hitter, contributed 10 kills and a block. Other players who made valuable contributions include Sarah Wilhite Parsons with three blocks, Simone Lee with five kills, and setters Micha Hancock and Jordyn Poulter, who orchestrated the team’s offense effectively.
In terms of overall team performance, the U.S. achieved a 36% kill percentage and a .206 hitting efficiency. Conversely, Dominican Republic converted 43% of their attacks into points, with a .306 hitting efficiency.
Defensively, libero Mary Lake, making her first-ever start for Team USA, handled 25 receptions with an impressive 40% reception rate in the first three sets. Megan Courtney, who started the final two sets, had an 80% positive reception on 10 attempts.
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While the U.S. team had a slight advantage in kills, with a 61-56 margin, Dominican Republic outperformed them in blocks (15-10) and aces (8-5). The U.S. team also committed more errors, with 21 compared to Dominican Republic’s 14.
The U.S. team’s starting lineup for this match consisted of Jordyn Poulter at setter, Sarah Wilhite Parsons and Madi Kingdon Rishel as outside hitters, Jordan Thompson as the opposite hitter, and Chiaka Ogbogu and Dana Rettke as middle blockers. Mary Lake served as the team’s libero.
Looking ahead, the U.S. Women’s National Team will continue their journey in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League, with matches against a variety of formidable opponents from around the world. The league consists of 16 countries for both genders, with each country playing 15 pool matches spread over five consecutive weeks. The top five teams from the preliminary round will advance to the VNL Final Six, hosted by China, from July 3-7, with the winning team receiving a prize of $1 million.
In conclusion, while this loss is undoubtedly disappointing for the U.S. Women’s National Team, it provides an opportunity for growth and improvement. The team’s resilience and determination are evident, and they will undoubtedly come back stronger in their upcoming matches. Fans can look forward to supporting their favorite players and witnessing some thrilling volleyball action as the tournament progresses.
FAQs
Q: What is the FIVB Volleyball Nations League?
A: The FIVB Volleyball Nations League is an international tournament featuring 16 countries for both men and women. Each country competes in 15 pool play matches spread over five consecutive weeks, with the top five teams advancing to the VNL Final Six.
Q: Who are the standout performers for the U.S. Women’s National Team in this match?
A: Chiaka Ogbogu, Dana Rettke, and Madi Kingdon Rishel made significant contributions to the team’s offense. Annie Drews and Jordan Thompson also had strong performances as opposite hitters. Defensively, Mary Lake and Megan Courtney demonstrated their abilities as liberos.
Q: What are the upcoming matches for the U.S. team in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League?
A: The U.S. team will face Korea on June 4, followed by matches against Germany on June 5 and Brazil on June 6. All matches will take place in Lincoln, Nebraska, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Summary
In this thrilling encounter, the U.S. Women’s National Team faced a tough loss against their NORCECA zonal rivals, the Dominican Republic. The match took place in Conegliano, Italy, during the FIVB Volleyball Nations League. While the U.S. team had previously been undefeated in the tournament, this defeat provides an opportunity for growth and improvement. The team’s next matches will be held in Lincoln, Nebraska, where they will face Korea, Germany, and Brazil. Fans can eagerly anticipate supporting their favorite players and witnessing some captivating volleyball action in the upcoming matches.
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