Friday, 8 Nov 2024

U.S. Women Save Lone League Loss for Last

The U.S. Women’s National Team faced a setback in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League preliminary round, suffering their only loss to China in Rimini, Italy. Despite this defeat, the team remains confident and focused on their upcoming matches.

Qualification for the Final Round

The world-ranked No. 1 U.S. Women’s team has already secured their place in the final round. They will face Turkey in the semifinals on June 24 at 10:30 a.m. PT. Brazil and Japan will compete in the other semifinal match.

China’s Performance in VNL

China, ranked No. 2 in the world, finished in fifth place with a 10-5 record in the VNL.

The Learning Experience

U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly sees the loss as an opportunity for growth. He considers it another valuable learning experience and acknowledges that there are areas the team needs to improve upon. Kiraly remains confident in the team’s abilities, stating, “The score doesn’t tell us whether we are taking care of our jobs or not. We’ve had some wins (at VNL) that we were pretty disappointed in.”

Team Composition and Individual Performances

Kiraly started Kelsey Robinson and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley as outside hitters, Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson and Hannah Tapp as middle blockers, Annie Drews as an opposite, Micha Hancock as setter, and Kim Hill as libero. Middle Haleigh Washington substituted for Tapp in the third set.

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Despite the loss, several players showcased their skills. Drews led the U.S. scoring with 11 points, followed by Robinson with nine points. Bartsch-Hackley and Akinradewo contributed seven points each. Hill demonstrated excellent defensive abilities with seven digs and 15 successful receptions. Hancock’s setting skills led the team to a .329 hitting efficiency.

China’s Domination

China outperformed the U.S. in kills, blocks, and aces. They secured 45 kills compared to the U.S.’s 36, as well as 9 blocks to the U.S.’s 4, and 7 aces to the U.S.’s 1. China’s outside hitter, Ting Zhu, excelled with 16 points, including 13 kills.

Broadcasting Information

For U.S. viewers, the VNL can be watched on the FIVB’s streaming service, Volleyball World TV.

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster

Here is the roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team on June 20:

  • Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Okla., Penn State Univ.)
  • Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, Aurora, Colo., Univ. of Illinois)
  • Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska)
  • Tori Dixon (M, 6-3, Burnsville, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota)
  • Hannah Tapp (M, 6-3, Stewartville, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota)
  • Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Univ. of Nebraska)
  • Annie Drews (OPP, 6-4, Elkhart, Ind., Purdue Univ.)
  • Jordan Thompson (OPP, 6-4, Edina, Minn., Univ. of Cincinnati)
  • Sarah Wilhite Parsons (OH, 6-2, Eden Prairie, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota)
  • Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (OH, 6-3, Champaign, Ill., Univ. of Illinois)
  • Kim Hill (OH, 6-4, Portland, Ore., Pepperdine, Univ.)
  • Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson (M, 6-3, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Stanford Univ.)
  • Haleigh Washington (M, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colo., Penn State Univ.)
  • Kelsey Robinson (OH, 6-2, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska)
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Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coaches: Luka Slabe, Erin Virtue, Tama Miyashiro
Technical Coordinator: Jeff Liu
Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Team Manager: Jimmy Stitz

Recap of Previous Matches and Upcoming Schedule

The U.S. Women’s National Team has had an impressive performance in the preliminary round, securing victories against the Dominican Republic, Canada, Brazil, Serbia, Netherlands, Thailand, Germany, South Korea, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Turkey, Poland, and Russia.

The semifinals will take place on June 24, followed by the bronze and gold medal matches on June 25.

FAQs

Q: How did the U.S. Women’s National Team fare in the preliminary round of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League?
A: The U.S. Women’s National Team had an outstanding preliminary round, winning 14 out of 15 matches, with their only loss to China.

Q: Who will the U.S. Women’s National Team face in the semifinals?
A: The U.S. Women’s National Team will compete against Turkey in the semifinals on June 24.

Q: What are the U.S. Women’s National Team’s chances of winning the tournament?
A: The U.S. Women’s National Team, ranked No. 1 in the world, has shown exceptional skills and teamwork throughout the tournament, making them strong contenders for the championship.

Summary

The U.S. Women’s National Team faced their first and only loss of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League preliminary round against China. Despite this setback, the team remains focused on their ultimate goal of winning the tournament. They have already secured their place in the final round and will face Turkey in the semifinals. The team’s strong performances throughout the tournament have demonstrated their expertise and competitiveness. Fans can look forward to thrilling matches in the upcoming semifinals and medal matches. Join us in supporting the U.S. Women’s National Team as they strive for victory.

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For more information on the U.S. Women’s National Team and the FIVB Volleyball Nations League, visit Alpinetgheep.com.