USA Women Open USAV Cup with 3-2 Win
On Wednesday at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, the U.S. Women’s National Team triumphed over a challenging start, securing a 3-2 victory (22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-10, 15-12) against the Netherlands at the USA Volleyball Cup presented by Hoag.
The two teams, gearing up for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris beginning July 26, will face off again at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
MATCH STATISTICS
On Wednesday, U.S. outside hitter Avery Skinner, leading all scorers with 27 points on a match-high 25 kills (.561 hitting percentage) and two blocks, came through in the clutch for the U.S. Women.
Overall, leading the Netherlands in kills (67-48) and blocks (14-12), the U.S. also saw the Netherlands holding a 4-3 edge in aces, but being charged with 18 service errors compared to 11 for the U.S.
“This,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly said, “was a perfect example of why these matches are so helpful. It wasn’t always pretty, sometimes ugly on our side, sometimes on the Netherlands’ side. Both sides were playing to win, using these matches to prepare to be our best in Paris.”
Opposite Jordan Thompson, starting the final three sets in a pre-planned switch with opposite Annie Drews, scored 13 points on 12 kills and one ace. Similarly, middle blocker Dana Rettke contributed 13 points with nine kills (.500 hitting percentage), three blocks, and one ace.
Outside hitter Kelsey Robinson Cook concluded with 10 points, including eight kills, one block, and one ace. Middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu totaled nine points from six kills and three blocks. Annie Drews contributed eight points from six kills and two blocks before exiting the match after the second set.
Setter Lauren Carlini scored four points, including three blocks and one kill. She set the U.S. to a .325-hitting efficiency. Libero Justine Wong-Orantes finished with 15 receptions, 68 percent positive, while Cook led in receptions with 33, 61 percent positive.
In the fifth set, tied 11-11, Carlini scored on a kill off the block, followed by kills from Thompson and Skinner. Cook secured the final kill of the match, clinching the win for the U.S. Women.
