The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team showcased their skills and resilience in their recent matches against Russia. Led by Katie Holloway’s impressive 19-point performance, the team had both victories and setbacks throughout the five-match set.
A Strong Start and a Tough Loss
In the opening match, the U.S. dominated Russia with a convincing victory of 25-19, 26-24, 25-19. The team displayed great teamwork and determination, with key contributions from players like Holloway and captain Heather Erickson. However, the afternoon match proved to be more challenging, resulting in a hard-fought loss of 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 25-21, 11-15.
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Despite the loss, Lora Webster pointed out the value of facing adversity. She said, “It’s good when we fail a little bit because then we get to come back, and it shows us how to persevere through that. It’s nice that we can pull ourselves out of that.”
Stellar Performances by Holloway and Erickson
Katie Holloway played an instrumental role in sparking comebacks during the matches, tallying 15 kills, three blocks, and one ace in the second set alone. Captain Heather Erickson also contributed significantly with 14 kills and two blocks, earning a total of 16 points.
Exhibition Matches at the 2016 USA Volleyball Open National Championships
These matches against Russia are part of a best-of-five exhibition series held at the 2016 USA Volleyball Open National Championships. The U.S. team demonstrated their skills and dedication on the court, despite not having extensive preparation time. Head Coach Bill Hamiter commended the team’s response, saying, “You never know how the team is going to react coming in as late as we did, not having great preparation, but they responded well.”
Lessons Learned and Preparation for Paralympics
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The U.S. team used different line-ups throughout the matches, experimenting with various players and positions. This approach was aimed at preparing the team for the upcoming Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. Lora Webster emphasized that these new line-ups shouldn’t serve as an excuse for sloppy play, stating, “We did our triple-outside, and were trying line-ups, but it’s good. We hadn’t lost in a long time, and you have to learn how to lose.”
Looking Ahead
These matches against Russia marked the first time the teams had faced each other in over a year. While Russia had been participating in events to qualify for the Paralympics, the U.S. had already secured their spot and even won a gold medal with an impressive 8-0 performance.
FAQs
Q: How did Monique Burkland’s absence affect the team?
A: Monique Burkland, the starting outside hitter, was unable to play in the matches due to a fractured finger sustained in practice. Although her recovery is expected to be swift, the team’s staff decided to rest her for the weekend to avoid further injury before the Paralympics.
Q: Did any noteworthy incidents occur during the matches?
A: In the first match, there was a lighthearted moment when outside hitter Michelle Schiffler experienced a minor issue with her prosthetic hand. The ensuing delay allowed the U.S. team to regroup, and the Russian server even missed her next attempt.
Conclusion
The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team showcased their talent, determination, and adaptability during their matches against Russia. Despite a tough loss, the team demonstrated their ability to bounce back and learn from their experiences. With the Paralympics on the horizon, the team is focused on refining their strategies and continuing their winning streak. For more information about the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team, visit Alpinetgheep.
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Danh mục: Volleyball
