2013 USA Volleyball Cup Press Kit

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U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Press Kit

USA Volleyball Cup

July 10 * at UC San Diego, La Jolla, Calif. * 7 p.m. PT

July 12 * at Long Beach State University, Long Beach, Calif. * 7 p.m. PT

July 13 * at JSerra Catholic High School, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. * 7 p.m. PT

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Table of Contents

Cover Page ........................................................................................................................................... 1

Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. 2

2013 USA Volleyball Cup Rosters for U.S. Women and Japan ................................................................. 3

Notes on USA Volleyball Cup ..............................................................................................................4-5

2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Season Statistics ............................................................. 6

2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Schedule ......................................................................... 7

2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Season in Review .......................................................8-17

2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Player Bios ...............................................................18-40

2012 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Player of the Year/Most Improved Player ........................ 41

2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Staff Bios ..................................................................42-47

2012 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Stats .............................................................................. 48

2012 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Results .......................................................................... 49

2012 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Season in Review ...................................................50-107

2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Photo Chart .................................................................. 108

2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Statistcs (Olympic Games only) .................................... 109

Glossary of Volleyball Terms .............................................................................................................. 110

U.S. All-Time Versus International Competition .................................................................................. 111

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Past Olympians ..................................................................... 112

All-Time U.S. Women’s Olympic Volleyball Team Members in Pictures ............................................... 113

All-Time U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Results .............................................................114-115

International Volleyball Fact Sheet ..............................................................................................116-118

USA Volleyball Fact Sheet .................................................................................................................. 119

Credits: This 2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Press Kit for the USA Volleyball Cup is a copyrighted publication produced by USA Volleyball.Design and Contents: Bill Kauffman, USA Volleyball Senior Manager of Communications

USA Volleyball, 4065 Sinton Road, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80907Phone: (719) 228-6800 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.usavolleyball.org

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United States# Name Match* Pos Ht Spike Block Hometown College1 Alisha Glass 1, 2 S 6-0 10-0 9-10 Leland, Mich. Penn State University2 Danielle Scott 2, 3 MB 6-2 10-8 9-11 Baton Rouge, La. Long Beach State University3 Courtney Thompson 2, 3 S 5-8 9-0 8-8 Kent, Wash. University of Washington5 Tamari Miyashiro 3 L 5-7 9-4 8-9 Kaneohe, Hawaii University of Washington6 Nicole Davis 1, 2 L 5-4 9-4 8-9 Stockton, Calif. University of Southern California7 Cassidy Lichtman 1, 2, 3 OH 6-1 9-10 9-2 Poway, Calif. Stanford University8 Lauren Gibbemeyer 1, 2 MB 6-2 10-1 9-7 St. Paul, Minn. University of Minnesota10 Jordan Larson-Burbach 2, 3 OH 6-2 9-11 9-8 Hooper, Neb. University of Nebraska12 Kayla Banwarth 1, 2, 3 L 5-10 9-8 9-3 Dubuque, Iowa University of Nebraska14 Nicole Fawcett 1, 2, 3 OPP 6-4 10-2 9-7 Zanesfield, Ohio Penn State University17 Lauren Paolini 1, 2, 3 MB 6-4 10-5 9-10 Ann Arbor, Mich. University of Texas18 Regan Hood 1 OH 6-2 10-3 10-0 Dallas, Texas LSU19 Juliann Faucette 1 OPP 6-2 10-6 10-1 San Diego, Calif. University of Texas20 Jenna Hagglund 1, 3 S 5-10 9-7 9-6 West Chester, Ohio University of Washington22 Rachael Adams 1, 2, 3 MB 6-2 10-5 10-1 Cincinnati, Ohio University of Texas24 Kristin Hildebrand 1, 2 OH 6-1 9-10 9-4 Orem, Utah Stanford University25 Kelly Murphy 2, 3 OPP 6-2 10-4 10-1 Wilmington, Ill. University of Florida26 Kim Hill 1, 2, 3 OH 6-4 10-6 10-2 Portland, Ore. Pepperdine University28 Cursty Jackson 1, 3 MB 6-2 10-6 10-2 Los Angeles, Calif. University of Arizona39 Sonja Newcombe 3 OH 6-1 10-0 9-10 Lake Arrowhead, Calif. University of Oregon

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly Assistant Coaches: Reed Sunahara, Tom BlackTechnical Coordinator: Joe Trinsey Athletic Trainer: Jill Wosmek

NOTE: Match 1 = at UC San Diego; Match 2 = at Long Beach State; Match 3 = at JSerra Catholic High School

Japan# Name Birthdate Ht Spike Block Club1 Miyu Nagaoka July 25, 1991 5-10 10-1 9-8 Hisamitsu Springs3 Saori Kimura Aug. 19, 1986 6-1 10-0 9-7 VakifBank Istanbul4 Kanako Hirai April 15, 1984 6-0 10-2 9-6 Hisamitsu Springs5 Naoka Hashimoto July 11, 1984 5-7 9-5 8-10 JT Marvelous6 Haruka Miyashita Sept. 1, 1994 5-9 9-7 9-1 Okayama Seagulls7 Mami Yoshida June 5, 1986 5-2 8-11 8-6 Pioneer Red Wings8 Kotoki Zayasu Jan. 11, 1990 5-2 8-11 8-4 Hisamitsu Springs9 Mizuho Ishida Jan. 22, 1988 5-9 9-11 9-2 Hisamitsu Springs10 Nana Iwasaka July 3, 1990 5-9 9-10 9-4 Hisamitsu Springs12 Yuki Ishii May 8, 1991 5-11 9-11 9-5 Hisamitsu Springs13 Risa Shinnabe July 11, 1990 5-8 9-8 8-10 Hisamitsu Springs14 Yukiko Ebata Nov. 7, 1989 5-9 10-0 9-6 Hitachi Rivale18 Saori Takahashi Dec. 9, 1992 5-10 9-9 9-2 Hitachi Rivale19 Riho Otake Dec. 23, 1993 6-0 10-0 9-6 Denso Airybees20 Aimi Kawashima April 15, 1990 5-11 9-10 9-6 Okayama Seagulls

Head Coach: Masayoshi Manabe Assistant Coaches: Gen Kawakita, Shigekazu Okubo, Kenji SaitoDoctor: Daisuke Araki Trainers: Keiji Wakamiya, Yosuke Kotani, Aya TakemasaAssistant Trainer: Satomi Miyazaki Analyst: Keita Watanabe

Rosters for 2013USA Volleyball Cup

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Pan American CupLima, Peru

June 10: def. Trinidad & Tobago 3-0June 11: def. Puerto Rico 3-2June 12: def. Argentina 3-0June 15: def. Brazil 3-0June 16: def. Dominican Republic 3-0

USA Volleyball CupJuly 10: vs. Japan at San Diego, Calif.July 12: vs. Japan at Long Beach, Calif.July 13: vs. Japan at San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool A Campinas, Brazil

Aug. 2: vs. RussiaAug. 3: vs. PolandAug. 4: vs. Brazil

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool FBelgrade, Serbia

Aug. 9: vs. AlgeriaAug. 10: vs. NetherlandsAug. 11: vs. Serbia

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool MSendai, Japan

Aug. 16: vs. Czech RepublicAug. 17: vs. JapanAug. 18: vs. Bulgaria

FIVB World Grand Prix Final RoundSapporo, Japan

Aug. 28-Sept. 1: Top 5 Preliminary Teams + Japan

Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship

Omaha, NebraskaSept. 16-21: Match Schedule TBA

FIVB Grand Champions CupJapan

Nov. 12-17: Match Schedule TBA

2013 U.S. Women’s NationalVolleyball Team Schedule

Quick Team InformationCurrent FIVB World Ranking: 1stHead Coach: Karch Kiraly (1st year)2013 Record: 5-0Assistant Coach: Reed SunaharaAssistant Coach: Tom BlackTechnical Coordinator: Joe Trinsey

Additional Team USA FactsUSA Volleyball CEO: Doug BealTraining Site: Anaheim, Calif.Media Contact: Bill KauffmanE-Mail: [email protected] Site: www.usavolleyball.orgConfederation: NORCECA

2013 USA Volleyball Cup

U.S. Women's National Volleyball TeamQuick Information and Storylines

ABOUT THE USA VOLLEYBALL CUP: The USA Volleyball Cup is a new initiative that will draw elite teams to the United States to compete in an annual tour series with the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams. Such events will help foster local community ties to the two National Team programs and the City of Anaheim where the teams train. It is foreseen that there will be one U.S. Women’s match each year in Southern California and a second one to be held in different venues each year throughout the country – and the same for the U.S. Men’s Team.

MATCH LOCATIONS AND TIMES: The USA Volleyball Cup series opens July 10 in San Diego on the campus of UC San Diego, followed by a July 12 contest at the Walter Pyramid on the campus of Long Beach State University in Long Beach. The two teams conclude the series on July 13 at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano. All three matches have start times of 7 p.m. PT.

PURCHASE TICKETS: General admission ticket prices are $20 for adults and $5 for youth ages 18-and-under for each match, online or at the door. Children 3-and-under will be admitted free. To purchase tickets online for any of the three USA Volleyball Cup series matches or for more information, visit www.usavolleyballcup.com.

RANKINGS: The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team is ranked No. 1 in the world by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), while Japan is ranked No. 3.

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES RESULTS: The 2013 USA Volleyball Cup has two of the top three teams from the most recent Olympic Games. The U.S. finished with the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games, while Japan earned the bronze medal.

U.S. RECORD: The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team is 5-0 in 2013 following a 30-2 record in 2012. Since 2011, Team USA is 74-12.

ABOUT JAPAN: Japan, ranked No. 3 in the world, has been one of the most storied volleyball programs, including hosting the first-ever Olympics for the sport in 1964. The Japanese Women’s Volleyball program medaled in the first four Olympic Games, including gold medals in 1964 and 1976 with silver medals in 1968 and 1972. The squad gained additional glory last year by winning the bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and has three 2012 Olympians competing in this week’s USA Volleyball Cup series. Japan has also medaled seven times in the FIVB World Championships since 1960. The USA-Japan series has been one of the most respected rivalries through the years. Since 1983, the U.S. Women and Japan have played 211 matches – the most with any U.S. opponent - with many of the contests in the 1980s and 1990s taking part in similar tours in either the United States or Japan. Since 2000 without a USA-Japan Tour series on the schedule, the U.S. holds a 13-7 record with most of the matches coming in FIVB events during the 13-year period.

STORIED HISTORY BETWEEN USA-JAPAN WOMEN: The USA-Japan series has been a storied rivalry among friendly countries. Since 1983, the U.S. Women and Japan have played 211 matches – the most with any U.S. opponent - with many of the contests in the 1980s and 1990s taking part in similar tours in either the United States or Japan. The U.S. has played Cuba 148 times since 1983, which ranks as the second most matches in an all-time series. Since 2000 without a USA-Japan Tour series on the schedule, the U.S. holds a 13-7 record with most of the matches coming in FIVB events during the 13-year period.

MOST RECENT USA-JAPAN TOUR: The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team hosted Japan most recently during the spring of 2000 with matches in Burleson, Texas, Pueblo, Colo., Colorado Springs and Denver. Japan won three of the four matches with three of the matches extending to a fifth set. In the second contest in Pueblo, Japan won the match with a thrilling 25-23 fifth-set score, while the U.S. bounced back in Colorado Springs with a five-set victory for its lone victory.

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FIVB World Ranking (as of Jan. 23, 2013)

1. USA ........................................... 3302. Brazil ......................................... 3153. Japan ........................................ 2664. Italy ........................................... 2385. China ......................................... 2266. Russia ....................................... 1607. Turkey ....................................... 1488. Germany .................................... 1339. Serbia ........................................ 13210. Dominican Republic ................... 12711. Republic of Korea....................... 12512. Thailand ...................................... 8113. Cuba ............................................ 8014. Algeria ......................................... 7115. Poland ......................................... 6916. Kenya .......................................... 5817. Peru............................................. 5018. Puerto Rico .................................. 4419. Argentina ..................................... 4220. Netherlands ................................. 3821. Great Britain ................................ 3722. Egypt ........................................... 3222. Canada ........................................ 3224. Czech Republic ............................ 3025. Mexico......................................... 29

USA National Team Center andCity of Anaheim

USA Volleyball and the City of Anaheim are pleased to announce the agreement to bring the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to Anaheim from Colorado Springs was finalized in April 2009. The agreement also designates Anaheim as the Exclusive Official Host City for the USA Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams through 2016. The team trains at the USA National Team Center within the American Sports Centers in Anaheim.

FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH: Karch Kiraly, a legendary volleyball player in the indoor and beach disciplines who turned to coaching as the assistant for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team that earned the silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games, is the new head coach for Team USA. Kiraly is off to a 5-0 start as head coach following the Pan American Cup held in June 2013. He will be making his head coaching debut on American soil during the USA Volleyball Cup. For full bio, check out the coaching section.

U.S. ROSTER FOR USA VOLLEYBALL CUP: The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team will have six players with Olympic Games experience headlining its 23-player USA Volleyball Cup roster of available athletes. The team will utilize a different roster for each of the three matches. Olympians on the roster include five-time Olympian Danielle Scott (Baton Rouge, La.) and two-time Olympian Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.), who both won silver medals at the past two Olympic Games. Joining them on the roster are 2012 Olympic silver medalists Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.), Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.), Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) and Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.). The setters include Thompson, Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio). The liberos are Davis, Miyashiro and Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa). The opposites are Alaina Bergsma (Chandler, Ariz.), Juliann Faucette (San Diego), Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) and Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.). The outside hitters are Larson-Burbach, Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah), Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.), Regan Hood (Carrollton, Texas), Alix Klineman (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) and Sonja Newcombe (Lake Arrowhead, Calif.). The middle blockers are Harmotto, Scott, Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio), Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.), Cursty Jackson (Los Angeles) and Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.).

JAPAN ROSTER: The Japan 15-player roster for the USA Volleyball Cup includes three 2012 Olympians highlighted by captain Saori Kimura, Risa Shinnabe and Yukiko Ebata who led their country to the silver medal in London.

RARE CHANCE TO WATCH THE U.S. WOMEN ON HOME SOIL: The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team has had rare opportunities to host major international competitions on American soil due to international scheduling and professional league commitments. During the last Olympic quadrennial, the U.S. Women hosted its first-ever Pan American Cup held in Miami in 2009, followed two days later with the four-team FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament for NORCECA in Orlando. Team USA also hosted Bulgaria a three-match challenge series in July 2012 in final preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games. From 2005 to 2008, the U.S. Women played only seven contests against foreign teams in front of a home crowd. The only other women’s senior-level international tournament hosted in the United States was the 1998 FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament for NORCECA.

LAST USA TOURNAMENT RESULTS: The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team opened its 2013 season and Olympic quadrennial by winning the XII Women’s Pan American Cup for the second consecutive year. Team USA won its pool with victories over Trinidad & Tobago (3-0), Puerto Rico (3-2) and Argentina (3-0), followed by a sweep of Brazil in the semifinals and blanking Dominican Republic in the title match on June 16 in Lima, Peru. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) was named the most valuable player and best server, while Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) was selected best spiker and Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) was chosen best receiver.

AFTER USA VOLLEYBALL CUP: Both the U.S. and Japan will compete in the FIVB World Grand Prix that begins on Aug. 2. The Americans are the three-time reigning champions of the premier annual international volleyball tournament for women. The U.S. opens the preliminary round versus Russia, Poland and host Brazil held Aug. 2-4 in Campinas, Brazil. Team USA travels to Belgrade, Serbia, to face Algeria, Netherlands and Serbia from Aug. 9-11. The Americans move on Sendai, Japan, for the third preliminary round weeknd to play Czech Republic, Japan and Bulgaria from Aug. 16-18. The top five teams plus host Japan will qualify for the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round that takes place Aug. 28-Sept. 1 in Sapporo, Japan.

LATER THIS YEAR: The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team will host the Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship Sept. 16-21 at the Ralston Arena in Nebraska. The event is expected to bring up to 10 teams from the North America, Central America and Caribbean region. Among the top women’s teams in NORCECA are the United States (#1 FIVB, #1 NORCECA), Dominican Republic (#10, #2), Cuba (#13, #3), Puerto Rico (#18, #4), Canada (#22, #5) and Mexico (#25, #6). The 2013 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship gold-medal team qualifies for the 2013 FIVB Grand Champions Cup to be played Nov. 12-17 in Japan. The NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship is held every other year. Team USA is the defending champion after winning the event in 2011 at Caguas, Puerto Rico, without dropping a set in five matches.

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2013 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Stats Kills/ Kill Attack Total Attack Aces/ Blocks/ Digs/ Assts Points/

Name Sets Kills Set PCT Errors Attack Eff. Aces Set Blocks Sets Digs Set Assts Set Points Set

Alisha Glass 12 0 0.00 0.0 1 2 -.500 2 0.17 7 0.58 15 1.25 113 9.42 9 0.75

Cassidy Lichtman 6 6 1.00 60.0 0 10 .600 2 0.33 0 0.00 9 1.50 0 0.00 8 1.33

Lauren Gibbemeyer 15 35 2.33 55.6 4 63 .492 2 0.13 10 0.67 9 0.60 1 0.07 47 3.13

Megan Hodge 15 47 3.13 55.3 6 85 .482 4 0.27 3 0.20 18 1.20 2 0.13 54 3.60

Kayla Banwarth 17 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 32 1.88 12 0.71 0 0.00

Nicole Fawcett 15 48 3.20 44.0 14 109 .312 16 1.07 7 0.47 18 1.20 1 0.07 71 4.73

Kim Hill 4 8 2.00 44.4 2 18 .333 1 0.25 2 0.50 6 1.50 1 0.25 11 2.75

Lauren Paolini 6 10 1.67 71.4 1 14 .643 2 0.33 4 0.67 0 0.00 1 0.17 16 2.67

Jenna Hagglund 13 0 0.00 0.0 0 2 .000 0 0.00 2 0.15 6 0.46 87 6.69 2 0.15

Rachael Adams 17 19 1.12 57.6 6 33 .394 2 0.12 16 0.94 4 0.24 3 0.18 37 2.18

Kristin Hildebrand 15 39 2.60 49.4 13 79 .329 2 0.13 9 0.60 27 1.80 2 0.13 50 3.33

Kelly Murphy 11 14 1.27 42.4 3 333 .333 1 0.09 2 0.18 3 0.27 0 0.00 17 1.55

TEAM 17 226 13.29 50.4 50 448 .393 34 2.00 62 3.65 147 8.65 223 13.12 322 18.94

Opponent 17 176 10.35 36.0 98 489 .160 12 0.71 25 1.47 116 6.82 165 9.71 213 12.53

Pan American CupLima, Peru

June 10: def. Trinidad & Tobago 3-0June 11: def. Puerto Rico 3-2June 12: def. Argentina 3-0June 15: def. Brazil 3-0June 16: def. Dominican Republic 3-0

USA Volleyball CupJuly 10: vs. Japan at San Diego, Calif.July 12: vs. Japan at Long Beach, Calif.July 13: vs. Japan at San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool A Campinas, Brazil

Aug. 2: vs. RussiaAug. 3: vs. PolandAug. 4: vs. Brazil

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool FBelgrade, Serbia

Aug. 9: vs. AlgeriaAug. 10: vs. NetherlandsAug. 11: vs. Serbia

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool MSendai, Japan

Aug. 16: vs. Czech RepublicAug. 17: vs. JapanAug. 18: vs. Bulgaria

FIVB World Grand Prix Final RoundSapporo, Japan

Aug. 28-Sept. 1: Top 5 Preliminary Teams + Japan


Omaha, NebraskaSept. 16-21: Match Schedule TBA

FIVB Grand Champions CupJapan

Nov. 12-17: Match Schedule TBA

All stats are unofficial team stats provided through DataProject’s DataVolley softwareDataPoject is Official & Exclusive Provider of Statistical Software Systems of USA Volleyball

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2013 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Schedule (5-0)Date Opponent (Record) Result City Pts Leader (*DataVolley) Attend

Pan American Cup

6/10 Trinidad & Tobago W, 25-13, 25-12, 25-13 Callao, Peru Lauren Gibbemeyer - 12 200

6/11 Puerto Rico W, 28-30, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-13 Callao, Peru Nicole Fawcett - 31 225

6/12 Argentina W, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 Callao, Peru Nicole Fawcett - 15 225

6/15 Brazil (semifinals) W, 25-11, 25-20, 25-22 Lima, Peru Rachael Adams - 12 1,800

6/16 Dominican Republic (final) W, 25-12, 25-20, 25-18 Lima, Peru Nicole Fawcett - 14 1,800

FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round Standings: Gold - USA; Silver - Dominican Republic; Bronze - Argentina; 4th - Brazil; 5th - Puerto Rico; 6th - Cuba; 7th - Canada; 8th - Peru;

9th - Colombia; 10th - Trinidad & Tobago; 11th - Costa Rica; 12th - Mexico.

USA Volleyball Cup (http://www.usavolleyballcup.com)

7/10 Japan LaJolla, Calif.

7/12 Japan Long Beach, Calif.

7/13 Japan San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round

8/2 Russia Campinas, Brazil

8/3 Poland Campinas, Brazil

8/4 Brazil Campinas, Brazil

8/9 Algeria Belgrade, Serbia

8/10 Netherlands Belgrade, Serbia

8/11 Serbia Belgrade, Serbia

8/16 Czech Republic Sendai, Japan

8/17 Japan Sendai, Japan

8/18 Bulgaria Sendai, Japan

FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Standings:

FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round (must qualify as top five in FIVB World Grand Prix Prelliminary Round)

8/28 TBA Sapporo, Japan





FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round Standings:


9/16 TBA Ralston, Omaha






NORCECA Women’s Continental Championsip Final Standings:

FIVB Grand Champions Cup (must qualify as winner of NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship)

Nov. 12-17 in Japan

FIVB Grand Champions Cup Final Standings:

* Match leaders are based on DataVolley Statistics and not official P-2 stats.

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(Left) Rachael Adams (left) and Nicole Fawcett (14) reach for a block versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

Jenna Hagglund (20) and Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) put up a double block versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

Team USA celebrates a point versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

Team USA photo for the XII Women’s Pan American Cup (NORCECA photo)

6/10 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

TT 13 12 13

U.S. Women Blank Trinidad & Tobago to Open Pan Am Cup

LIMA, PERU (June 10, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team used a stifling block and service game to blank Trinidad & Tobago 25-13, 25-12, 25-13 on June 10 to open its title defense of the Pan American Cup in Callao, Peru.

The Americans controlled both the net and service line during the match with a 13-4 block advantage and 9-0 margin in aces. Team USA benefited from 21 Trinidad & Tobago errors, while limiting its own errors to 11 for the match. As a team, the U.S. converted 54.2 percent of its offensive swings with a .424 hitting efficiency (32-7-59). The Americans limited Trinidad & Tobago to a 31.5 kill percent for the match and .137 hitting efficiency (23-13-73).

Team USA had 10 of its 12 players score at least one point in the match. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) led the United States in scoring with 11 points via seven kills on 12 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Captain Kristin Richards Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) was credited with eight kills on 13 attacks and two blocks for 10 points, while Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) notched six aces and three kills for nine points. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio), playing in her first match with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, recorded four kills on six errorless attacks and four blocks for eight points.

Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) chipped in six kills on 12 swings in the victory, while Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) came in off the bench to score four points with three kills on four errorless attacks and a block in her first international match at the senior level. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) and Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) each pocketed two points in reserve roles in the third set. Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio), starting in her first international senior-level match, and Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with a block each from the setter position.

Hagglund set the U.S. with 10 running sets on 31 total set attempts without a fault, while Glass totaled nine running sets off the bench on 16 attempts. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) recorded a team-high 10 digs and six excellent receptions off 10 errorless chances, while Gibbemeyer notched six digs from her middle blocker position.

The U.S. started Hodge and Richards Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Hagglund at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Murphy subbed into the match in the second set and started in place of Fawcett in the third set. Glass started the third set in place of Hagglund at setter, while Hill and Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) came off the bench in the third set.

“I am very proud of the new players on the team and the way they performed in their first international competition,” Hildebrand Richards said. “We passed and served very well.”

“I liked the way the Trinidadians enjoyed the match,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said. “We have many new players because after the Olympics, some players needed to rest and other players have to step in.”

While both Hagglund and Adams were starting in their first-ever international match with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, Hill also contributed off the bench in her first appearance with the team. Gibbemeyer and Banwarth were also playing in just their 13th match with the team.

Darlene Ramdin paced Trinidad & Tobago with 10 points, while no other player scored more than five points.

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Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Jenna Hagglund (20) block a Trinidad & Tobago attack (NORCECA photo)

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Kristin Hildebrand (24) and Rachael Adams (22) double up on a Puerto Rico attack. (NORCECA photo)

Rachael Adams (22) and Nicole Fawcett (14) form a blocking wall versus Puerto Rico. (NORCECA photo)


Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) blocks a Puerto Rico attack. (NORCECA photo)

6/11 1 2 3 4 5

USA 28 23 25 25 15

PUR 30 25 14 17 13

U.S. Women Rally Past Puerto Rico After Being Two Sets Down

LIMA, PERU (June 11, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team (2-0) rallied from two sets down to defeat Puerto Rico 28-30, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-13 on June 11 during Pool A of the Pan American Cup in Callao, Peru.

The U.S. committed nine errors in the opening set and saved three set points when down 24-21 to take two set point chances of its own only to fall 30-28 as Puerto Rico scored three unanswered to end the frame on its sixth set point opportunity. The U.S. rallied from a 16-12 deficit in the second set to tie at 16-all, but Puerto Rico pushed to a 20-17 lead en route to winning 25-23.

The third set was a roller coaster with the Puerto Rico scoring the first three points, followed by a 6-0 run by the U.S. After Puerto Rico knotted the score at 12-all, Team USA rolled 10 unanswered points in winning 25-14. The U.S. used a key 4-0 run to take a 19-14 lead in the fourth set as they pushed on to a 25-17 victory sending the match to a tiebreaker. In the fifth set, Puerto Rico came back from a 3-0 deficit to take an 11-10 advantage, but the U.S. scored four of the final five points to win 15-13.

“Puerto Rico played very good volleyball and forced us to play as hard, the hardest we have had to play in 2013,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said. “Our team did a nice job, staying calm and fighting hard.”

U.S. opposite Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) led all scorers with 30 points coming off 25 kills on 60 attacks, three aces and two blocks. She scored six points alone in the deciding fifth set. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) added 16 kills on 36 aattacks and one block for 17 points in the victory. Kristin Richards Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) charted eight kills and a match-high six blocks for 14 points. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) pocketed 11 kills on 24 swings and three blocks for 14 points.

Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) collected three kills on six attacks and two blocks for five points, while Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) produced three blocks and an ace for four points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) added three points with two blocks and a kill coming off the bench. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with a key ace in the fifth set as a reserve.

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) provided the Americans with team-highs of 18 digs and 14 excellent receptions on 25 attempts. Glass was credited with 38 running sets on 91 set attempts in four sets, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added 14 running sets on 38 chances. Fawcett charted 15 digs and Richards Hildebrand added 10 digs.

The U.S. started Hodge and Richards Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Hagglund at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Glass started the final four sets in place of Hagglund, who was a sub in the final two sets. Paolini started the final three sets in Adam’s spot.

Team USA converted 40.4 percent of its attacks into points with a .298 hitting efficiency (65-17-161). Meanwhile, Puerto Rico converted just 36.2 percent of its attacks for kills with a .198 hitting efficiency (64-29-177). The U.S. out-blocked Puerto Rico 19-9 and held slim margins in kills (65-64) and aces (4-3), along with a 64-53 margin in digs. Team USA committed 23 errors in the match, but only 14 after the first set. Meanwhile, the U.S. benefited from 28 errors by Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico was led by Karina Ocasio with 25 points, while Yarimar Rosa added 18 points and Daly Santana contributed 15 points in the loss.

11

Nicole Fawcett attacks over the Puerto Rico block (NORCECA photo)

12

USA and Argentina during the Natonal Anthems. (NORCECA photo)

Rachael Adams (22) and Nicole Fawcett (14) form a blocking wall versus Puerto Rico. (NORCECA photo)


Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Kristin Hildebrand block an Argentina attack. (NORCECA photo)

6/12 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

ARG 17 19 22

U.S. Women Sweep Argentina, Advance to Semifinals

LIMA, PERU (June 12, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team swept Argentina 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 in a battle of previously undefeated teams on the final day of Pool A competition at the Pan American Cup on Wednesday in Callao, Peru.

The U.S., the defending Pan American Cup champions, finished Pool A in first place with a 3-0 record with 13 points. By virtue of winning Pool A and ranking as the second-best pool winner, Team USA advances directly to the Pan American Cup semifinals on Saturday. The three second-place teams plus Pool B winner Cuba will compete in the quarterfinal round on Friday. All 12 teams in the tournament are idle on Thursday.

In addition, Team USA has earned a spot in the 2014 FIVB World Grand Prix by reaching the Pan American Cup semifinals. The top four NORCECA finishing teams in the tournament gain a spot in the prestigious annual event.

Team USA used a 9-2 scoring run to end the opening set and take a 25-17 victory. The U.S. broke a 9-all tie in the second set and climbed to a 25-19 victory to go up 2-0. The Americans overcame a 20-17 deficit in the third set by scoring seven of the next eight points en route to winning 25-22.

“Our players responded well and I would like to improve our serves, and continue to work on our fast offense,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said.

Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) paced the United States with a match-high 15 points that included 12 kills on 28 attacks, two aces and a block. Kristin Richards Hildebrand (Orem,Utah) secured 13 points via 11 kills on 20 swings, one ace and one block. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) chipped in 10 kills on 17 attacks and a block for 11 points. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) contributed 10 points with six kills on eight errorless attacks, three blocks and an ace. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) collected eight points on seven kills via 15 attacks and a block. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) rounded out the scoring with two kills on five swings as a reserve in all three sets.

Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) set the U.S. to a 51.6 kill percent and .398 hitting efficiency (48-11-93) with 28 running sets, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added three running sets in a reserve role. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) tallied a team-high 12 digs. Hodge charted 10 excellent receptions on 30 attempts to go with six digs.

The U.S. started Hodge and Richards Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Hagglund and Murphy were part of a double-switch in all three sets, while Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) was a sub in all three sets.

Team USA’s attack netted a 48-35 margin in kills. The Americans held the advantage in blocks (7-4) and aces (4-2) during the match. Further, the Americans produced a 31-26 edge in digs. The U.S. held Argentina to a 35.0 kill percent and .230 hitting efficiency (35-12-100).

“I think USA did a good job tonight with some good contributions from the players off the bench,” said Richards Hildebrand, the U.S. captain. “Our setter did an excellent job to help the balanced offense.”

Lucia Fresco led Argentina with 14 points, while Emilce Sosa added 11 points in the loss.

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Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Nicole Fawcett (14) celebrate a point versus Argentina. (NORCECA photo)

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Megan Hodge hits around the Brazil block. (NORCECA photo)

(Left) Alisha Glass serves versus Brazil. (Right) Jenna Hagglund sets versus Brazil. (NORCECA photos)


Cassidy Lichtman reaches to pass versus Brazil. (NORCECA photo)

6/15 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

BRA 11 20 22

U.S. Women Sweep Brazil, Advance to Pan Am Cup Title Match

LIMA, PERU (June 15, 2013) –The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team used a complete team effort in powering past Brazil 25-11, 25-20, 25-22 on June 15 during the semifinal round of the Pan American Cup in Lima, Peru.

The U.S. built an early 7-2 lead in the opening set and cruised to a 25-11 victory as seven different players scored. The Americans held a 4-0 margin in aces in the first set. Team USA started five new players in the second set and led throughout in a closely contested 25-20 victory. Team USA overcame an 18-17 deficit in the third set by using a 7-2 scoring run to establish a 23-19 advantage and went on to win 25-22.

“I am glad to arrive to this stage,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said. “Our team has played well and united. The Dominicans will be a tough opponent as they have won all their matches, but it will be a good match.”

Team USA had all 11 of its non-libero players score during the match. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati) led the Americans with 12 points and a match-high six blocks to go with six kills on 12 attacks. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) secured 11 points with 10 kills on 14 attacks and an ace, while Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) matched the 11 points with 10 kills on 22 swings and a block. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) charted seven kills on 16 attacks and two blocks for nine points.

Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) chipped in seven points with six kills on 10 errorless attacks and an ace. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) tacked on four kills on nine errorless swings, one block and one ace for six points in just one set of action. Kristin Richards Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) pocketed two kills on three attacks, while Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) served two aces in the first set. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) provided a kill and ace for two points. Setters Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) both turned in one block.

Hagglund provided the U.S. with 30 running sets in relief of Glass, who had five running sets. Hill totaled a team-high nine excellent receptions on 18 errorless attempts, while Banwarth charted a team-high nine digs to go with six excellent receptions on 12 errorless chances. Richards Hildebrand secured seven digs in just one set of action. Lichtman added six excellent receptions on nine errorless chances.

The U.S. started Hodge and Richards Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. After the first set, Hagglund started the rest of the way for Glass, Lichtman and Hill started in place of Richards Hildebrand and Hodge at outside hitter, Paolini stepped in for Gibbemeyer at middle blocker and Murphy spelled Fawcett the rest of the way.

The U.S. convert 48.4 percent of its attacks into kills as part of a .389 hitting efficiency (46-9-95). The Americans held Brazil to a 39.8 kill percent and .227 hitting efficiency (35-15-88. Team USA dominated the net with a 12-5 block advantage, in addition to serving strong with a 6-2 ace margin. The U.S. also held a 46-35 edge in kills as both teams held errors in check with 11 each.

“Today all the players had the chance to participate and it could be seen the team is very united,” said Richards Hildebrand, the U.S. captain. “Dominican Republic will be a tough rival, but we will go out to enjoy the game.”

Brazil’s Gabriela Guimaraes tallied a match-high 14 points as no other teammate scored more than eight points in the loss.

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Kristin Hildebrand hits down the line against Brazil. (NORCECA photo)

16

Team USA celebrates versus Dominican Republic. (NORCECA photo)

Nicole Fawcett was presented with the most valuable player and best server award at the Pan American Cup. (NORCECA photos)

Team USA presented with the Pan American Cup trophy. (NORCECA photo)

Nicole Fawcett hits past the Domincan Republic block. (NORCECA photo)

6/16 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

DOM 12 20 18

U.S. Women Defeat Dominican Republic to Win Pan Am Cup

LIMA, PERU (June 16, 2013) – Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) scored 15 points in sparking the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 25-12, 25-20, 25-18 victory over Dominican Republic on June 16 in Lima, Peru, to capture the Pan American Cup gold medal for the second consecutive year. In addition, she captured the tournament’s most valuable player award.

After Dominican Republic opened the first set with a 4-2 lead, it was all U.S. in the frame as the Americans went on a 9-1 scoring run and later used a 6-0 run en route to a 25-12 victory. The second set was tight until the last six points with 11 lead changes. However, the U.S. changed leads for the final time after trailing 20-19 and scored the final six points for a 25-20 victory. Team USA charged out to a 7-2 lead in the third set, only to have Dominican Republic climb back to within one at 12-11. However, the U.S. regrouped with a 9-3 scoring run to win 25-18.

“I am really pleased with the team’s performance tonight, and overall with the tournament, especially how we were able to get better with every match,” Kiraly said. “Dominican is a good team with Olympic experience and for the most part we were able to control the match from beginning to end.”

Fawcett collected her match-high 15 points with six kills on 15 errorless attacks, six blocks and three aces. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) charted 11 points with eight kills on 16 attacks and three blocks. Kristin Richards Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) picked up nine kills on 16 swings in the match. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.), the only 2012 U.S. Olympian in the match, pocketed eight points with seven kills on 16 attacks and an ace. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded five kills on 10 attacks and two blocks for seven points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) was credited with two blocks, while Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) rounded out the scoring with a kill as a reserve.

Glass provided 28 running sets and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added seven running sets in leading the U.S. offense to a 45.6 kill percent and .367 hitting efficiency (36-7-79). Fawcett led the American defense with eight digs, while Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) added eight digs and seven excellent receptions on 14 errorless attempts. Hodge added a team-high 12 excellent receptions on 22 chances.

In addition to the MVP award, Fawcett earned the best server honor. Hodge was chosen as best spiker, while Banwarth was selected as best receiver.

“This group is a blend of experienced and young players,” said Richards Hildebrand, the U.S. captain. “I’m really pleased with how we were able to come together to defend our gold medal in this event and show what USA Volleyball is all about: supporting each other, being tough, and playing great--especially when it matters most.”

The U.S. started Hodge and Richards Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Hagglund and Murphy were double subs in all three sets, while Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) was a sub in the final two sets.

Team USA used a stifling 13-4 block advantage to thwart the Dominican Republic offense. Further, the U.S. benefited from 22 other Dominican Republic errors in the match. The U.S. limited Dominican Republic to a 33.3 kill percent and .107 hitting efficiency (28-19-84) for the match. The Americans also held a slim 4-3 margin in aces to go with a 36-28 advantage in kills and a 37-34 lead in digs.

Priscilla Rivera, Yonkaira Pena and Annerys Vargas all scored eight points to lead Dominican Republic.

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Megan Hodge passes with Kayla Banwarth watching. (NORCECA photo)

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Rachael AdamsMiddle Blocker * 6-2

Cincinnati, OhioCollege: Texas

Joined Team: May 2013Last Club: KS Palac Bydgoszcz

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Made senior level international debut at Pan American Cup, starting all five matches and helping U.S. to the gold medal…Scored 37 points with 2.18 scoring average in 17 sets played…Averaged 0.94 blocks in Pan Am Cup and placed third in Best Blocker.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Helped the USA A2 White Team win bronze at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships Women’s Open Division. 2010 – Led USA A2 Blue Team to the gold medal at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships. 2007 – Member of U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team that participated in FIVB Volleyball Girls’ Youth World Championship. 2006 – Member of U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team that won the NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Named AVCA All-America First Team after holding a .388 hitting efficiency to rank 13th in the NCAA Division I. 2010 – Selected AVCA All-America First-Team while ranking No. 1 in NCAA for hitting efficiency (.443)…Ranked sixth in Big 12 in blocks with 1.18 per set. 2009 – Led Texas with .486 hitting efficiency and ranked second with 1.09 blocks per set en route to being named All-Big 12. 2008 – Appeared in 25 matches.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: A 2007 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 recruit ... ranked No. 3 recruit nationally by PrepVolleyball.com ... 2007 PrepVolleyball.com and AVCA All-American ... Ohio High School Volleyball coaches Association Division 1 All-Ohio First Team selection in 2007 and Third Team selection in 2006 ... 2007 District 16 Volleyball Coaches Association First Team, all-city, all-conference and All-Southwest Ohio honoree ... led her club squad, Team Z to the 2007 17-Open Junior Olympic national championship ... paced her Mount Notre Dame High School squad to the 2006 Ohio Division I State Championship in volleyball and basketball ... led Mount Notre Dame in kills (452) and blocks (129) in 2007 and

headlined the squad with 311 kills and 104 blocks in 2006 ... appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” feature in the magazine’s Nov. 26, 2007 issue.

PERSONAL: Born Rachael Alexis Adams on June 3, 1990, in Cincinnati, Ohio…Parents are Robin Mealy-Adams and Richard Adams…Father was drafted in the fourth round of the 1978 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs after a four-year career at University of Illinois (1974-78).

Copyright USA Volleyball

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Kayla BanwarthLibero * 5-10

Dubuque, IowaCollege: Nebraska

Joined Team: January 2011Last Club: Dresdner SC

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Named Best Receiver of Pan American Cup after producing a 67 positive reception percent in five matches helping the U.S. win second straight event title…Totaled 32 digs in 17 sets. 2012 – Starting U.S. libero in all seven matches of the Pan American Cup in which the U.S. captured the gold medal…Averaged 3.14 digs per set during the Pan American Cup, including a tournament-best 24 digs versus Brazil in the gold-medal match. 2011 – Played in 12 sets during the Pan American Games helping the U.S. to the bronze medal.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 – Named All-Big 12 honorable mention and served as Nebraska’s team co-captain…Finished four-year career with 1,706 digs…Averaged 4.89 digs per set as a senior, reaching double-digit digs in all but two matches. 2009 - Proved to be one of the Big 12’s best liberos, earning honorable-mention all-conference honors…Ranked second in the Big 12 with 4.96 digs per set…Finished the year ranked second on Nebraska’s single-season list with 570 digs…Recorded 20 or more digs on 13 occasions, including four matches with 25 or more digs. 2008 - Put together one of the best seasons by a libero in school history, helping the Huskers to 31 wins and a berth in the NCAA semifinals…Averaged 4.12 digs and 0.84 assists as she appeared in 33 matches • Ranked third in the Big 12 in digs per set and helped the Huskers hold foes to a league-best .149 hitting percentage…Ranked third on NU’s single-season list with 470 digs becoming just the third player in history to average more than four digs per set…Reached double figures in digs 29 times, including five matches with at least 20 digs. 2007 - Became a major contributor as a true freshman, winning the starting job at libero during the second half of the year…Appeared in 22 matches, averaging 2.75 digs.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Named an alternate for the 2007 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team...Played club volleyball for the Six Pack Volleyball

Club and Coach Jay Grassley, helping the program to an appearance at the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in 2007...Banwarth was one of the nation’s top high school seniors playing for coaches Julie Kieffer and Tom Keating at Wahlert Catholic High School • Totaled 1,155 kills, 1,093 digs and 364 aces during her four-year career, as Wahlert Catholic won three Iowa Class 3A state titles (2003-05)...Finished her career holding school marks for career digs and aces...Tabbed a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection and ranked the No. 62 player nationally by Prepvolleyball.com and garnered all-American by the publication as a senior...Chosen as the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006 after averaging 4.00 kills, 3.70 digs and 1.43 aces per game...Was a three-time Iowa Elite Team selection (all-state, all classes) in each of her final three seasons and chosen the Iowa Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 3.50 kills and 3.80 digs per set...Named the Class 3A Player of the Year for three consecutive years (2004-06).

Courtesy NORCECA

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Alaina BergsmaOpposite * 6-3

Chandler, ArizonaCollege: Oregon

Joined Team: May 2013Last Club: Guaynabo Mets

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: None

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - AVCA National Player of the Year and Pac-12 Player of the Year…Selected AVCA First-Team All-American and Capital One Third-Team Academic All-American…Ranked fifth nationally and first in Pac-12 in kills (4.85 per set) and points (5.35 per set). 2011 - AVCA Third-Team All-American…Ranked 12th and 14th nationally in kills and points (4.51 / 5.12 per set). 2010 - All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention. 2009 – Named All-West Coast Conference Team and WCC Freshman of the Year at Loyola Marymount before transferring to Oregon…Ended the season ranked ninth nationally in points (5.24 per set), 14th overall (and second among freshman) in kills (4.47 per set) and 45th in service aces (0.40).

CLUB/PREP CAREER: A 2007 Arizona High School All-American and member of the Arizona Juniors Volleyball Club team…Earned All-League, All-Metro Region and All-State Tournament team honors as a sophomore, junior and senior…Team advanced to the state tournament quarterfinals in 2005 and semifinals her junior and senior campaigns. Four-year volleyball letterman, she also lettered one season in both track (in high jump and hurdles) and in basketball.

PERSONAL: Born Alaina Bergsma on March 30, 1990…Parents are David and Shawna…Brothers are Mathew and Benjamin…Engaged to Kevin Coble, former All-Big Ten basketball player at Northwestern University...Nicknames are Bergs and Laina…Personal hero is Jenna VanWeelden…Most prized possession is her Bible…Wanted to be a doctor when growing up…Favorite place visited was Lake Shafer, Indiana…Favorite place would like to travel to is England or Italy…Favorite food is steak or ribs…Favorite ice cream is Ben & Jerry’s Peanut

Butter Cup…Favorite snack is popcorn…Favorite drink is Dr Pepper…Favorite type of food is Mexican…Favorite movie is Gladiator…Favorite actor is Denzel Washington…Favorite actress is Jennifer Aniston…Favorite TV comedy is That 70s Show…Favorite cartoon character is Spiderman…Favorite singer is Britney Spears…Favorite book is Harry Potter series.


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Nicole DavisLibero * 5-4

Stockton, CaliforniaCollege: Southern CaliforniaJoined Team: January 2004

Last Club: Dresdner SC

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: Earned a second Olympic Games silver medal..Started all eight matches at libero, compiling a 3.63 dig average based on unofficial DataVolley Stats…Charted 15 digs versus China on Aug. 1 and versus Brazil in title match...Ranked second in Best Libero at the Olympics with an 8.30 average of digs and receptions…Ranked sixth in Best Digger at the Olympics, fifth in Best Receiver (74.27 efficiency percent).

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)...Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver Medal)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold Medal). 2009 – Tour of Egypt…Pan American Cup (Fourth)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Ninth)…Final Four Intercontinental Cup (Silver)…NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth). 2008 – Tour of China…U.S. Olympic Team Exhibition for Volleyball versus Brazil…FIVB World Grand Prix (Fourth Place)…Olympic Games (Silver Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Grand Prix (Eighth Place)…NORCECA Championship (Silver Medal)…FIVB World Cup (Bronze Medal). 2006 – World Grand Prix (Seventh Place)…World Championships (Ninth Place). 2005 – Front Range Tour vs. Brazil…Pan American Cup…World Grand Prix…FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)…NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)…World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Started the first 12 matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix helping the U.S. claim a third straight gold…Averaged 3.07 digs per set and finished sixth in Best Digger in Final Round despite missing the final two matches…Earned a second Olympic Games silver medal after starting all eight matches at libero, compiling a 3.63 dig average based on unofficial DataVolley Stats…Ranked second in Best Libero at the Olympics with an 8.30 average of digs and receptions…Ranked sixth in Best Digger at the Olympics, fifth in Best Receiver (74.27 efficiency percent)…Ended 2012 with a 3.36 dig average while starting 23 matches and playing in 81 sets. 2011 – Started all five matches at the Montreux Volley Masters compiling an unofficial 4.45 digs per set average, including 24 in a four-set match to China on June 12…Also provided 25 digs in a five-set win over Germany on June 9 and 21 digs versus Peru in a four-set win on June 7…Handled libero duties in all 27 sets for U.S. at Pan American Cup, averaging 2.41 digs per set…Passing helped the squad to a .325 hitting efficiency for the tournament…Tallied double-digit digs in three of the eight matches, including 11 in three-set win over Argentina…Averaged 2.84 digs per set at the FIVB World Grand Prix with 13 of 14 match starts in helping Americans win second consecutive title…Ranked fifth in Best Digger and third in Best Libero at FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round…Tallied six double-digit dig matches, including 18 versus Italy on Aug. 25 in a five-set victory, followed by 15 digs against Brazil on Aug. 26 in four-set pool-play loss…Averaged 2.40 digs per set with a 76.4 positive reception percent on 55 attempts during the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship…Recorded an 83 excellent reception percent on 12 chances in NORCECA semifinal victory over Cuba, followed by a 71 excellent reception percent on 14 chances in the gold-medal medal match against Dominican Republic…Averaged 3.03 digs per set in 10 of 11 starts during the FIVB World Cup, which helped the U.S. to the silver medal and 2012 Olympic Games qualification...Totaled 16 digs versus Brazil in World Cup opener in four-set win, while tallying 18 digs in four-set win over Italy to clinch Olympic berth…Ranked sixth in World Cup Best Digger. 2010 – Named Best Libero at Montreux Volley Masters with 158 excellent passes on 250 attempts…Averaged tournament-leading 5.50 digs per set based on official stats, nearly 2.0 digs per set more than second-place finisher…Tallied a 52.34 passing efficiency on 107 attempts for fifth-best at Montreux Volley Masters…Recorded 20 digs versus China in the four-set gold-medal match on June 13, while producing 16 digs in a three-set victory over Cuba on June 12 in the Montreux semifinals…Played in 14 sets during the FIVB World Grand Prix with three starts at libero…Averaged 3.50 digs per set at the FIVB World Grand Prix, including 17 in a four-set victory over

Dominican Republic on Aug. 6. 2009 – Entered 86 sets during 2009 with a 2.66 dig average, the highest on the team…Libero for U.S. Women’s National Team two-match tour of Egypt resulting in two victories…Averaged 4.86 digs per set in two-match series against Egypt…Played in 21 sets of the Pan American Cup, averaging a tournament-best 3.90 digs per set to earn Best Digger…Held a 54.18 libero efficiency rating at the Pan American Cup for third best among liberos…Starting USA libero for Pool A of the FIVB World Grand Prix…Played total of 31 matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix…Averaged 5.00 digs per set in three match starts of the World Grand Prix, including 18 digs in three-set loss to Germany on July 31…Split time as USA libero during the Final Four Intercontinental Cup…Averaged 3.21 digs per set during Final Four Cup…Entered three sets as a back-row sub during the NORCECA Continental Championship. 2008 – Served as libero for eight-match tour of China…Tallied 112 digs and handled 213 serve receive chances with 54 percent positive receptions leading to a 5-3 record with a young team competing…Served as libero in June 11 match versus Brazil and subbed into contest on June 13 and June 14 as part of three-match series…Served as libero for the entire FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round in which USA won seven of nine matches and was a defensive specialist in the Final Round…Ranked fourth in the preliminary round in Best Digger with 2.33 digs per set, including four matches with at least double-digit digs…Served as USA libero at the Olympic Games, which resulted in a silver medal and the country’s first medal in women’s volleyball since 1992…Averaged 2.88 digs per set, sixth-best among all players in the Olympic Games…Tallied a 52 percent in excellent service receptions, which along with her dig average, helped the U.S. to a .302 team hitting efficiency. 2007 – Averaged 2.53 digs per set as the U.S. libero for all three preliminary rounds during the World Grand Prix…Turned in a team-high 21 digs versus China in three games on Aug. 4…Paced USA to silver medal at the NORCECA Championship…Averaged 3.00 digs per set for third best at the NORCECA Championship…Tallied 54 excellent service receptions on 84 attempts with only one error at the NORCECA Championship…Averaged 2.66 digs per set, fourth best at the FIVB World Cup…Tallied 19 digs in four set win over Poland on Nov. 4. 2006 – Played in four matches during seven-match tour of Italy March 22 to April…Played in two sets versus Poland on May 26…Libero for the final two weekends of the World Grand Prix…Ranked sixth in the Best Libero category in the World Grand Prix despite not playing the position the first three matches…Ranked 10th in World Grand Prix in digs with 1.30 per set…Turned in 15 digs in 31 sets as a back-row specialist during the World Championships, handling 46 service receptions with a 41 positive percentage. 2005 – Earnedsilver medal at the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in Japan in November…The U.S. finished the tournament with a record of 4-1 as it earned wins over Korea, 2004 Olympic gold medalist China, Poland and Japan along the way…Earned a gold medal as Team USA won its third-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a five-set victory over Cuba on Sept. 11…Earned gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the U.S. Women qualified for the 2006 World Championship.

PERSONAL: Born Nicole Marie Davis on April 24, 1982 in Stockton, Calif….Parents are Randy and Barbara Davis…She also has a brother named Christopher…Her happiest moment(s) in sports were winning back-to-back NCAA Division I volleyball championships with USC in 2002 and 2003…Graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in 2006…Owns a black belt in karate…Favorite professional team is the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball…Favorite food is anything sweet…Enjoys watching football in her spare time…“My mom is my role model. She came from very little and had a very successful career. She is a strong, independent woman, and a wonderful friend and mother.”…Started club volleyball in 1996 with Club Nike Pacific in Stockton, Calif…Graduated from Lincoln High School (Stockton, Calif.) in 2000.

Courtesy FIVB

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MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2008 – Tour of China...Pan American Cup (Fifth Place). 2006 – TV Azteca Cup.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 – Credited with 53 points during a three-week, eight-match tour of China…Converted 41 percent attacks into kills in China…Tallied 49 kills during the event…Played in five sets during the Pan American Cup with two kills. 2006 – Tallied 22 points during the TV Azteca Cup with one match start against Mexico on Sept. 29…Played in 14 sets at the TV Azteca Cup with five set starts…Started match versus Mexico on Sept. 29 at the TV Azteca Cup and tallied six points on five kills and a block…Recorded eight points versus Peru on Sept. 28…Came off the bench in two sets versus Cuba on Sept. 27 to compile two blocks and two kills.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 – Name AVCA All-America First Team, Big 12 Player of the Year and NCAA All-Tournament Team as Texas reached NCAA semifinals…Selected as finalist for Honda Award…Led Longhorns with 536.5 points (4.55 per set) and 465 kills (3.94 per set). 2009 – AVCA All-America Third Team selection and All-Big 12…Totaled 3.17 kills and 3.64 points per set. 2008 – AVCA All-America honorable mention after ranking second on team with 2.94 kills per set. 2007 – Selected as American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Freshman of the Year and AVCA All-America First-Team…Selected All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 Freshman of the Year…Started 30 of Texas’ 31 matches and appeared in 99 total games…Ranked first on the team in total kills (445) and second in kills per game (4.49)…Tallied double-figure kill totals in 25 of her 30 matches.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Selected most valuable player of Women’s Open Division of 2010 USA Volleyball Open National Championships while participating with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball A2 Program…Trained with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team during the spring of 2008 in an attempt to make the 2008 Olympic Games roster…Member of U.S. Women’s Junior National Team in 2006…Helped Team USA to the gold medal at the 2006 NORCECA Continental Women’s Junior Championship in Mexico…Second highest scorer for Team USA at 2006 NORCECA Continental Championship.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played for EPIC Volleyball Club (San Diego, Calif.) and coached by Ozhan Barambagui…Ranked second in the 2007 recruiting class by

PrepVolleyball.com…Led Epic to third place finish at 2006 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships and earned spot on the 18 Open All-Tournament Team...Attended Westview High School (San Diego, Calif.) from 2003-2007…Started playing indoor volleyball in 2004 with Coast Volleyball Club.

PERSONAL: Born Juliann Christine Faucette on Nov. 25, 1989, in San Diego, Calif…Parents are Chuck Faucette and Carolyn Ryba with sisters Jenna (1987), Tomilyn (1995), Javoni (1995) and Jade (1997)…Father played for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League in 1989…Hobbies include singing, dancing and acting…Favorite food is sushi and favorite book is The Shack…Enjoys listening to R&B, particularly Alisha Keys…Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan…Was a gymnast for eight years before becoming a cheerleader and dancer in her teens…Most admired people are her mom and dad because “they both have influenced me in different ways and are very strong, successful people.”


Juliann FaucetteOpposite * 6-2

San Diego, CaliforniaCollege: Texas

Joined Team: January 2008Last Club: Yamamay Busto Arsizio

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MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)…Pan American Cup (Bronze). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold). 2009 – FIVB World Grand Prix (9th)…Final Four Intercontinental Cup (Silver)…NORCECA Championship (4th).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Named most valuable player and best server at Pan American Cup, leading the U.S. to its second consecutive event title…Scored 71 points for a 4.73 points per set average, including 48 kills (3.20 kps), 16 aces (1.07 saps) and seven blocks (0.44 bps)…Scored 31 points versus Puerto Rico on June 11, in addition to 15 points in sweep of Dominican Republic in title match. 2012 – Played in 20 sets with one match start at the Pan American Cup in which the U.S. captured the gold medal…Averaged 1.90 points at the Pan American Cup with a 45.2 kill percent. Tallied 15 points off the bench versus Cuba at the Pan Am Cup, along with nine points in a reserve role versus Brazil in the gold-medal victory. 2011 – Averaged 3.00 points in 12 sets during the Montreux Volley Masters…Scored 15 points versus Germany on June 9 in three sets…Tallied 14 kills on 31 attacks against China on June 12…Averaged 1.58 digs per set at Montreux…Totaled 66 points and 3.14 scoring average after starting six of eight matches at Pan American Cup…Tallied 10 kills and five blocks versus Brazil on July 5, in addition to eight kills, four blocks and an ace versus Puerto Rico on July 2…Averaged 0.86 blocks during Pan Am Cup. 2010 – Played in 13 sets with one match start at the Montreux Volley Masters event in which the U.S. won the silver medal…Scored 10 points mainly as a double-substitution at the Montreux event which limited her court time…Started one match during FIVB World Grand Prix, tallying a kill versus Dominican Republic on Aug. 6. 2009 – Played 74 sets in first year with 2.12 scoring average and .242 hitting efficiency…Played in 33 of 36 sets of the FIVB World Grand Prix with three match starts…Averaged 2.55 points per set during World Grand Prix, including averages of 2.06 kills and 0.42 blocks…First three matches as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team were starts with at least 11 points scored…Tallied double-double of 27 points and 11 digs versus Puerto Rico on Aug. 1, which ranked as the top U.S. scoring performance during the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix…Scored 14 points against Netherlands…Averaged 2.13 points per set during Final Four Intercontinental Cup despite primarily used as a reserve…Scored seven points and provided 12 digs in only start of Final Four Cup against Dominican Republic on Sept. 11…Tallied 10 points (8 kills, 1 ace, 1 block) in three sets versus Peru on Sept. 10...Recorded 11 kills versus Brazil in Final Four gold-medal match on Sept. 13…Tallied 15 points and 13 digs in four-set victory over Canada at NORCECA Championship quarterfinal on Sept. 25…Converted five of 10 attacks into kills without an error against Cuba on Sept. 27.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 – Named AVCA Division I National Player of the Year, third consecutive AVCA All-America First-Team honor and fourth overall AVCA All-American award…Selected as Honda Award winner for overall best NCAA Division I volleyball player… Led Penn State to an undefeated record (38-0) and its second straight NCAA title and sixth consecutive Big Ten crown…Averaged 3.78 kills per set on .358 hitting for the year, with her kills per game average ranking second on the team…Led Penn State with 40 service aces and also added in 219 total blocks for the year. 2007 – Selected to AVCA All-America First-Team and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team after guiding Penn State to the NCAA Division I Tournament championship...Unanimous selection to All-Big Ten First-Team...Started all 36 matches of the season and played in 120 of 122 sets…During NCAA Tournament (20 sets), averaged 4.20 kills per

game on .387 hitting with 12 service aces, 22 digs and 26 blocks ...Held season average of 4.44 kills per set (533 total kills) and finished with a hitting percentage of .313, good for 10th in the Big Ten. 2006 – Selected AVCA All-America First-Team and unanimous All-Big Ten First-Team…Selected as Academic All-Big Ten...Played in all 35 matches of the year and 113 of 114 sets...Averaged 4.27 kills per set (483 total kills), good for second on the team and eighth in the Big Ten...Finished the season ranked fourth on the team and sixth in the conference in hitting percentage (.331), the only pure left-side hitter in the league within the top six...Ended her second season with 979 career kills. 2005 – Selected as AVCA NCAA Division I National Freshman of the Year and AVCA All-America Second-Team All-America…Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-Big Ten First-Team…Started all 34 matches in freshman season and set an NCAA Tournament record for hitting percentage by attacking at a career-high .889 clip (16-0-18) against Long Island (12/3) in the second round...Led the Lions and ranked third in the Big Ten with an average of 4.51 kills per set (496 total kills) on .309 hitting...Recorded 31 double-digit kill matches.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: 2005 – Member of U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that competed at the FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship. 2004 – Member of U.S. Junior Women’s National Team that won gold medal at NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship. 2003 – Member of U.S. Girls’ Youth Team which participated in the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship in Poland.

PERSONAL: Born Nicole Marie Fawcett on Dec. 16, 1986, in San Antonio, Texas...Nickname is Nic…Parents are Bob and Kim Fawcett… Mother Kim played volleyball for Wright State…Brother is Joe Fawcett... Maternal grandfather was a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in 1945...Majored in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University...Favorite musical group is Coldplay…Favorite professional team is the New York Yankees…Favorite book is Angels and Demons…Favorite television show is Grey’s Anatomy.

Courtesy of FIVB

Nicole FawcettOpposite * 6-4

Zanesfield, OhioCollege: Penn State

Joined Team: June 2009Last Club: Korea Expressway

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Lauren GibbemeyerMiddle Blocker * 6-2St. Paul, MinnesotaCollege: Minnesota

Joined Team: January 2011Last Club: Pesaro

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Helped the U.S. win its second consecutive Pan American Cup gold medal while starting all five matches…Averaged 3.13 points per set in Pan Am Cup, including 35 kills on 63 attacks as part of .492 hitting efficiency…Scored 15 points in win over Puerto Rico on June 11, including 11 kills on 21 errorless attacks…Added 11 points in title match win over Dominican Republic on June 16. 2012 – Started all seven matches of the Pan American Cup, helping the U.S. claim gold with averages of 3.38 points, 1.08 blocks, 2.00 kills and 0.29 aces per set…Scored 20 points versus Colombia with 11 kills on 16 errorless attacks to go with seven blocks and two aces. 2011 - Started all five sets at Pan American Games and helping U.S. to the bronze medal by averaging 3.53 points per set with a 1.41 block average…Totaled 17 points in bronze-medal match against Dominican Republic, including six blocks with a .421 hitting efficiency.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Competed for the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team at the 2007 FIVB World Championship in Thailand where the team finished fourth...Member of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that won the gold medal at the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 - Ended her college career at University of Minnesota by setting a school-record 593 total blocks and was also ninth on the school’s all-time list in kills at 1,421...Named First-Team All-Big Ten as a unanimous selection...Played in 84 of the team’s 129 sets on the season as she missed 12 matches due to an injury...Led the team in hitting percentage with .375 (276-58-582) and finished with an average of 3.29 kills per set...Despite the 12 missed matches, ended with a team-high total of 116 blocks (23 solo and 93 assisted) for a team-high average of 1.38 per set...Ranked third in the Big Ten Conference in hitting efficiency and ranked second in blocking with a 1.38 average...Finished with 4.17 pps, which ranked her eighth in the Big Ten. 2009 - Earned AVCA All-America First-Team honors and named First-Team All-Big Ten for the second year in a row...Set school-records in single-season blocks (181) and block assists (161), and had the third-highest single-season hitting percentage in school history at .385...Was one of two players in the Big Ten to rank in the top 10 in hitting percentage, kills, blocks and points...Played in all 37 matches, and has played in all of the 102 matches the team has played during her career...Helped Minnesota reach the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship semifinals. 2008 - Selected AVCA All-America Third-Team as she became the fourth Golden Gopher middle blocker to claim All-America honors...Finished the season with team-leading 174 blocks, which was second on the school’s single-season record list and ranked fourth in the Big Ten in blocks (1.45 blps), seventh in points (4.20 pps) and 10th in hitting percentage (.316)...Played in all 34 matches and was one of three players on the team to be in all 125 sets...Ranked first on

the team in kills (405), second in kills per set (3.24 average), first in hitting percentage (.316) and fourth in service aces (17)...Produced 23 double-figure kills matches and three matches where she tallied nine or more blocks. 2007 - Played in all 31 matches as a freshman and was one of only two players on the team to compete in all 112 sets on the season...Averaged 2.85 kills, 1.09 blocks and 1.02 digs per set...Led team in service aces, was second in blocks, hitting percentage and third in kills...Was the second Golden Gopher since 1985 to have over 300 kills and 100 blocks as a freshman...Produced 17 double-figure kills matches and two double-figure block matches on the year.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE - Played for Northern Lights Volleyball club program, leading the team to an undefeated season against her age division (52-0 versus 17s, only two losses against 18s teams) and winning the 2006 USA Volleyball Junior Girls’ National Championships in the 17s Open Division while earning individual All-Tournament honors...Finished third nationally in the 18s Open Division of the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National championships in 2007 where she was named to the All-Tournament team...Four-year letterwinner at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn...Received Pioneer Press Player of the Year honors in 2006 and was named the No. 4 senior high school player in the nation by prepvolleyball.com...Named All-State and All-Metro in her final two seasons at Cretin-Derham Hall...Led Cretin-Derham Hall to the Section 3AAA finals and was the first player in school history to record 1,000-career kills.

PERSONAL - Born on Sept. 8, 1988...Parents are Dan and Marie Gibbemeyer...Majored in kinesiology at University of Minnesota.

Courtesy NORCECA

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Alisha GlassSetter * 6-0

Leland, MichiganCollege: Penn State

Joined Team: May 2010Last Club: Mayaguez Indias

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold). 2012 – FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)…Pan American Cup (Bronze)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…NORCECA Championship (Gold)…FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – Tour of China…Pan American Cup (Bronze)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…Brazil Tour…FIVB World Championship (Fourth).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Earned second consecutive Pan American Cup gold medal as she finished second in Best Setter despite not starting the first two matches…Averaged 9.41 running sets per set with 113 total in 12 sets played…Recorded 23 assists and two blocks in title victory over Dominican Republic as team converted 50 percent of attacks. 012 – Started six of 14 matches in the FIVB World Grand Prix, including four of the five Final Round matches resulting in wins over Brazil, Turkey, Cuba and China…Averaged 5.25 running sets, 1.29 digs and 0.54 points per set during the World Grand Prix in helping the U.S. go 14-0 and win its third straight and fifth overall World Grand Prix…Started six of seven matches at the Pan American Cup leading the U.S. to the gold medal for the first time since 2003…Averaged 5.96 running sets as Team USA held a .315 hitting efficiency for the tournament…Added averages of 0.61 points and 2.35 digs per set at the Pan Am Cup. 2011 – Started four of five matches at the Montreux Volley Masters, helping the U.S. to a .251 team hitting efficiency…Turned in 27 digs during Montreux Volley Masters for a 1.80 dig average…Played in 25 of 27 sets at Pan American Cup, including seven of eight match starts…Helped team to an overall .325 hitting efficiency for the tournament, including a .525 hitting efficiency versus Cuba in the bronze-medal match…Averaged 1.92 digs per set at the Pan Am Cup…Averaged 3.21 assists per set with 19 sets played and two match starts in helping U.S. win the FIVB World Grand Prix…Helped U.S. hit .493 as a team in starting setter role against Peru on Aug. 21…Played in nine sets and registered nine assists during NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship, helping the squad to the gold medal…Played in 20 sets during the FIVB World Cup with one match start helping Team USA to the silver medal and 2012 Olympic Games qualification…Tallied two blocks and 25 assists in start against Kenya as the team held .322 hitting efficiency. 2010 – Played in seven sets and started two of three matches on USA’s tour of China…Averaged 1.14 points, 1.86 digs and 0.43 blocks in international debut…Scored four kills on six attacks in China…Started all seven match at the Pan American Cup helping USA to the bronze medal…Averaged 8.25 running sets per set, while adding averages of 2.40 digs, 0.45 blocks and 0.45 kills…Converted nine of 14 attacks into kills as part of .571 hitting efficiency…Named Best Setter at FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round after helping the U.S. to the gold medal…Started final 13 matches of tournament, leading to an 11-match win streak…Set USA to a .300 hitting efficiency and 40.7 kill percent during the World Grand Prix, including a .274 efficiency and 39.1 kill percent during the Final Round…Averaged 0.83 points, 2.94 digs and 11.54 assists while hitting .447 (19-2-38) during World Grand Prix according to unofficial DataVolley Stats…Started three of four matches on Brazil Tour…Finished the FIVB World Championship with 8.43 running sets average, third-best for the tournament after leading the category heading into the final match…Started 10 of 11 matches at the World Championship with a 7-3 record in those starts…Averaged 0.68 points per set and 3.12 digs per set at World Championship…Set USA to a .402 hitting efficiency against Thailand on Oct. 29 and a .392 mark versus Czech Republic on Nov. 6.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2009 – Named AVCA All-America First-Team as she set Penn State to consecutive undefeated seasons and its unprecedented third consecutive NCAA title …Honda Award finalist … Ranked fourth in the nation in assists per set (11.90) guiding the Nittany Lions to a nation-leading .381 attack percentage …Added 112 kills (0.92 per set), 103 blocks (0.84) and 286 digs (2.34)…Ranked fourth all-time in school history for career assists. 2008 – Tabbed AVCA First Team All-America and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team as Penn State won its second consecutive NCAA title with an undefeated record ... AVCA National Player of the Week (Nov. 18) ... Big Ten Player of the Week (Nov. 17) ... Directed the Penn State offense to a record setting and nation-leading .390 hitting percentage ...Led the team, Big Ten and nation with 12.50 assists per set average (1,450 total assists) ... Ranked third on the team with 212 digs averaging 1.83 digs per set ... notched 114 total blocks, good enough for third on the team. 2007 – Selected AVCA Second Team All-America and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team ... National and Big Ten Player of the Week (11/19) ... Started 35 of 36 matches and played in 114 of 122 games while directing the Penn State offense to a nation-leading .350 hitting percentage Led the team, ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 24th in the country with an average of 13.02 assists per game with 1,484 total assists. 2006 – Named Big Ten All-Freshmen Team ... Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week (9/11) ... Started all 35 matches and played in 113 of 114 games ... spent most of the season as a 5-1 setter, but also saw time as a 6-2 setter/hitter, attacking primarily on the right side ... Led the team and finished seventh in the Big Ten with 12.50 assists per game ... Ranked third on the squad with 1.14 blocks per game and fourth with 21 service aces and 2.04 digs per game ... Chipped in 1.16 kills per game ... Set the team to a Big Ten- and nation-best .323 hitting percentage, the only team in the country to finish the season hitting higher than .300 ... earned National Player of the Week honors after averaging 13.38 assists per game while leading the team to a .327 hitting percentage against Missouri and Texas at the Texas Invitational (9/7-8).

Other USA Volleyball Experience: Member of the 2005 U.S. Girls’ Youth National A2 Team and played on the USA Red squad that won the gold medal at the High Performance Championships in Austin, Texas, where she also received the “Best Setter” award ... Started on the 2004 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that won the gold medal in Puerto Rico at the NORCECA Games, where she was recognized as “Best Server”.

PERSONAL: Born Alisha Rebecca Glass on April 5, 1988…Mother is Laurie Glass, who was also her high school volleyball coach…Grandfather Larry Glass was her high school basketball coach… Majored in kinesiology at Penn State University with a minor in human development and family studies.

Copyrighted USA Volleyball

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Jenna HagglundSetter * 5-10

West Chester, OhioCollege: Washington

Joined Team: May 2013Last Club: UGSE Nantes


INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Made senior level international debut at Pan American Cup, starting the first two matches and helping the Americans the event for the second straight year…Turned in 87 assists and two blocks during the Pan Am Cup…Helped U.S. to a 63 kill percent versus Trinidad & Tobago in Pan Am Cup opener.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 - Finished outstanding career by playing all 113 sets for the Huskies as the starting setter, leading the Dawgs to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second time in her four years ... Finished with 5,326 career assists, second-most in Washington history and 10th-most in Pac-10 Conference history ... Ranked 11th in the NCAA and third in the Pac-10 with an 11.77 assists per set average ... 12.19 assists per set career average also ranks second in school history. 2009 - Selected AVCA All-America Third Team for the second-straight season … Averaged 11.30 assists per set for the season, ranking 19th nationally. 2008 - Named AVCA All-America Third Team and Honorable mention All-Pac-10 ... Led the Pac-10 and finished second in the nation in assists per set, averaging 12.17 ... Fourth all-time in career assists at Washington. 2007 - Pac-10 All-Freshman Team pick ... honorable Mention All-Pac-10 selection ... played in 105 games and 30 matches ... Ranked second in the Pac-10 and 10th in the nation in assists per game at 13.54, which was also the fifth-best single season mark in UW history.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played club volleyball for Team Z from 2005-06 under the direction of Ron Mahlerwein and Steve Aird ... Played club for Cincy Classics from 2002-05 under Lisa and Ron Mahlerwein and Torn Hogan ... Led team to fifth place finishes at the 2004 and 2005 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in the 15 open and 17 open divisions ... Member of USA Junior National Red team that won the Women’s Junior International Division of the

USA Volleyball High Performance Championships and was named Best Setter of the tournament ... A four-year letterwinner at Lakota High School ... Earned Cincinnati Player of the Year and first team all-state awards as a senior.

PERSONAL: Born Jenna Hagglund on May 28, 1989, in New Brunswick, N.J…Parents are Stu and Susan Hagglund…Younger brother Nick…Favorite food is Skyline Chili…Favorite song is Everything (Buckcherry)…Favorite sports team is Cincinnati Bengals…Most people don’t know that I like Broadway and theatre.


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Christa HarmottoMiddle Blocker * 6-2

Hopewell Township, PennsylvaniaCollege: Penn State

Joined Team: April 2009Last Club: LIU JO Modena

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: Started all eight matches at the Olympic Games helping the U.S. win the silver…Averaged 1.73 points, 1.23 kills and 0.42 blocks during the Olympics while converting 51.6 percent of attacks with a .387 hitting efficiency…Scored 10 points versus Korea in first-ever Olympic match with a .625 hitting efficiency…Added 10 points versus Turkey on Aug. 5.

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)...Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…Pan American Cup (Bronze). 2009 – Tour of Egypt…Pan American Cup (Fourth); FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G (Gold)…FIVB World Grand Prix (9th)…Final Four Intercontinental Cup (Silver)…NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Started 10 matches in the FIVB World Grand Prix, including the first eight matches, compiling averages of 3.23 points, 1.31 blocks and 1.74 kills per set in helping Team USA win its third straight tournament title…Ranked first in Best Blocker through the preliminary phase, but shared time during the Final Round in a three blocker rotation in the starting lineup. Converted 55.5 percent of attacks in the World Grand Prix with a .482 hitting efficiency, including a 13-point performance with eight blocks against Brazil on June 15…Started all eight matches at the Olympic Games helping the U.S. win the silver…Averaged 1.73 points, 1.23 kills and 0.42 blocks during the Olympics while converting 51.6 percent of attacks with a .387 hitting efficiency…Scored 10 points versus Korea in first-ever Olympic match with a .625 hitting efficiency…Added 10 points versus Turkey on Aug. 5…Concluded 2012 with 21 match starts and 73 sets played en route to averages of 2.48 points, 0.90 blocks and 1.42 kills per set…Converted 52.5 percent of kills in 2012 with a .424 hitting efficiency. 2011 – Played in 11 sets with three match starts at the Montreux Volley Masters…Tallied 12 points versus Germany on June 9, including eight kills and three blocks. Averaged 0.64 blocks as part of 2.09 points per set at Montreux…Played in six sets during Pan American Cup with one match start…Tallied six kills on nine attempts versus Trinidad & Tobago on July 3, in addition to two blocks for eight points…Converted 13 of 21 attacks into kills during Pan American Cup with .524 hitting efficiency…Reserve in 13 of 14 FIVB World Grand Prix matches, being active in just one match – a start against Peru on Aug. 21…Scored 10 kills on 13 errorless attacks versus Peru with an ace for 12 points. 2010 – Averaged 2.61 points per set while starting all five matches of the Montreux Volley Masters in which the U.S. earned the silver medal…Converted 56.3 percent of attacks into kills with a .479 hitting efficiency (40-6-71) for the tournament…Tallied 15 points in the gold-medal match against China, including 13 kills on 21 swings o go with two blocks…Averaged 2.14 points per set at Pan American Cup with one match start and seven sets played…Converted six of seven attacks into kills versus Trinidad & Tobago on June 20. 2009 – Charted a 2.26 scoring average with a .389 hitting efficiency in first international season with the U.S. Women’s National Team, playing in every single tournament with 18 starts and 69 sets played…

Tallied match-high 18 points versus Egypt on April 10, producing 16 kills on 25 attempts with just two errors for a 64 percent on kill attempts…Started six of seven matches at the Pan American Cup, producing a 2.29 scoring average over 21 sets…Held a .381 hitting efficiency and 0.67 blocks per set average at the Pan American Cup…Started all three matches of the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G event and contributed 1.11 points per set while converting eight of 16 attacks into kills…Started first two matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix and played in a total of six sets during the opening weekend of the event…Contributed five points with three kills on five attacks and two blocks versus Germany on July 31…Named Best Blocker during Final Four Intercontinental Cup after averaging 0.95 blocks per set as part of a 2.40 scoring average…Converted 54 percent of her attacks into points during Final Four Cup, including a .396 hitting efficiency with two matches against top-ranked Brazil…Provided 16 points in Final Four Cup opener against Brazil in which she tallied 10 kills with a .600 hitting efficiency, five blocks and an ace…Tallied 10 points in a rematch with Brazil in the gold-medal match of the Final Four Cup on Sept. 13…Contributed seven blocks as part of 9-point match against Dominican Republic on Sept. 12 during Final Four Cup semifinals…Tallied 25 points in nine sets played during NORCECA Continental Championship…Scored five kills on six errorless attacks to go with five blocks against Costa Rica on Sept. 24…Recorded six kills on eight attacks with an ace in start versus Mexico on Sept. 22.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Member of the 2004 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that won the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship in Winnipeg, Canada ... Selected to the 2005 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that competed in Ankara, Turkey, at the FIVB Under-20 World Championships.

PERSONAL: Born Christa Deanne Harmotto on Oct. 12, 1986, in Sewickley, Pa…Parents are Robert and Constance Harmotto…Father played basketball at Juniata College…Has younger brothers Nathan and Nolan …Majored in elementary education at Penn State…Nicknames are Motti and Chri…Hobbies include snowboarding, art and scrapbooking…Favorite musical group is Sugarland…Favorite subject in school is math…Favorite pro sports team is Pittsburgh Steelers…Favorite athlete is Hines Ward of Pittsburgh Steelers…Favorite food is gnocchi’s…Favorite book is “Mind Gym” by Gary Mack with David Casstevens…Favor i te TV show is Desperate Housewives…Favorite actor is Jack Nicholson…

Favorite actress is Sandra Bullock…Favorite place to visit is Hilton Head, S.C.

Courtesy FIVB

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MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold). 2012 – FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver). 2009 – Pan American Cup (Fourth); FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G (Gold)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Ninth)…NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth). 2008 – Pan American Cup (Fifth Place)…U.S. Olympic Team Exhibition for Volleyball versus Brazil…FIVB World Grand Prix (Fourth Place). 2005 – Montreux Volley Masters (7th Place)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Eighth Place).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Captain of Pan American Cup team that won gold for second consecutive year…Tallied 50 points in 15 sets played for a 3.33 scoring average…Converted 49.4 percent of attacks into kills during Pan American Cup, including 10-of-16 in title win over Dominican Republic. 2012 – Averaged 3.57 points and 2.22 digs per set while playing in 23 sets with six match starts during the FIVB World Grand Prix as the U.S. won the gold medal…Tallied 19 points versus Thailand on June 24, while scoring 17 against Cuba on June 30, her birthday…Named most valuable player and Best Scorer of the Pan American Cup after leading the U.S. to the gold medal…Averaged 4.81 points, 4.30 kills, 0.41 blocks and 2.26 digs per set during the Pan American Cup…Converted 48.9 percent of attacks during Pan Am Cup with .312 hitting efficiency…Scored season-high 35 points versus Brazil in Pan Am Cup gold-medal match…Finished Pan Am Cup with 128 points, including four matches with at least 21 points…Concluded the 2012 season with averages of 4.24 points, 3.62 kills, 0.40 blocks, 0.22 aces and 2.24 digs while starting 12 matches. 2011 – Averaged 1.40 points and 2.73 digs per set during Montreux Volley Masters in which she started one match but played in 15 sets in the tournament…Contributed 13 points with 11 kills and 12 digs versus China on June 10…Tallied 15 digs versus Cuba on June 11…On 14-player roster for opening weekend of FIVB World Grand Prix, but did not see action. 2010 – Played a total of five sets in two matches of the Montreux Volley Masters event, record a total of four points and four digs. 2009 – Averaged 2.94 points per set while playing in 48 sets during 2009 season…Started six matches and played 20 total sets of the Pan American Cup, averaging 3.30 points and 1.35 digs per set…Converted 40.4 percent of attacks into kills at Pan American Cup…Played a reserved role at FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G, but generated 4.00

points per set coming off the bench in three sets…Tallied 11 points with nine kills on 14 attempts in two sets versus Barbados on July 7…Started six of nine matches during the preliminary weekends of the FIVB World Grand Prix, competing in 24 of 36 possible sets…Averaged 2.54 points and 1.00 digs per set at the World Grand Prix…Tallied 14 points versus Puerto Rico on Aug. 1, followed by 13 points versus Dominican Republic on Aug. 7…Provided two kills on two attempts against Costa Rica on Sept. 24 in only set of action during NORCECA Continental Championship. 2008 – Contributed 73 points in 26 sets to help the U.S. finish fifth at Pan American Cup and earn 2009 World Grand Prix berth…Averaged 2.81 points, 2.38 kills, 0.31 blocks and 0.77 digs per set at the Pan American Cup…Tallied 15 points in loss to Puerto Rico on June 5…Hit .710 against Argentina, the bronze medalist at the Pan American Cup, with 10 kills on 14 errorless swings in a June 1 victory…Started two of three sets played versus Brazil on June 13 compiling three kills and an ace…Started two of four sets played at the FIVB World Grand Prix compiling two kills on nine attacks and an ace. 2005 – Participated at the Montreux Volley Masters and FIVB World Grand Prix events. 2003 – Member of USA National A2 program. 2002 – Member of U.S. Women’s Junior National Team. 2001 – Traveled with U.S. Women’s National Team player and served as a practice player at the Montreux Volley Masters tournament...Member of U.S. Women’s Junior National Team. 2000 – Captain of U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team…Traveled to Switzerland with U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team.

COLLEGE: Two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American while competing as an outside hitter at Stanford University (2003-2006)... Concluded collegiate career in 2006 ranked among the top 10 in several career categories with the Cardinal. Holds the Stanford record for career digs (1,597) and career dig average (3.44 per set), while ranking third in career attacks (4,350). Ranks fifth with 1,819-career kills and 3.92 kills per set…Served 126 aces for fifth place, while her 0.27 aces per set ranks tied for seventh. 2006 - Earned All-American Honorable Mention by Volleyball Magazine and was a Third Team honoree by the AVCA...Named to the All-Pac-10 Team for the fourth-straight season. 2005 - First-Team AVCA All-American and ASICS/Volleyball All-American…Also named First-Team AVCA Pacific Region…Named to the All-Pac-10 First Team for a third-straight season…Finished first on the team in kills (544, 4.90 kpg, third in the Pac-10, 19th in the country) as a starter in 32 matches. 2004 - Volleyball Magazine All-American…NCAA All-Tournament selection…NCAA Regional All-Tournament choice…Pac-10 First Team selection. 2003 - Volleyball Magazine National Freshman of the Year…AVCA Pacific Region Freshman of the Year…Pac-10 Freshman of the Year…All-Pac-10 selection.

PERSONAL: Born Kristin Richards on June 30, 1985…Daughter of Dave and Lori Richards…has one sister (Lauren) and two brothers (Andrew and Taylor)…Sister, Lauren, played volleyball at BYU and is now coaching at American University…Both her father and mother played volleyball at BYU…Father, Dave, also played on the U.S. National Team from 1978 to 1980...Graduated from Stanford in 2007 with a bachelor of arts degree in urban studies...Played volleyball since age eight...Rehabilitated two consecutive knee surgeries in nine months... Hobbies include photography, napping, reading, spending time with friends...Happiest moment in sports was winning the NCAA Division I national championship in 2004...Happiest moment in life was “meeting my niece”... Admires her mother most because “she beat breast cancer”…Favorite athlete is Stacy Sykora...Favorite movie is Love Actually…Favorite Actor is Denzel Washington…Favorite musical type is singer/songwriter...Favorite book is Blue Like Jazz...Favorite musician is Dave Matthews…Favorite food is Mexican…Personal blog site is kristinrichards10.blogspot.com… Speaks Russian, Italian and Spanish.

Courtesy FIVB

Kristin HildebrandOutside Hitter * 6-1

Orem, UtahCollege: Stanford

Joined Team: September 2005Last Club: Yesilyurt

29

Kim HillOutside Hitter * 6-2

Portland, OregonCollege: Pepperdine

Joined Team: May 2013Last Club: Pepperdine (College)


INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Made senior level international debut at Pan American Cup, playing in four sets as a reserve…Tallied 11 points with a .333 hitting efficiency (8-2-18)…Provided nine points off the bench in sweep of Brazil in Pan Am Cup semifinals.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: Career - Ranked sixth all-time at Pepperdine with 1,300 kills and is tied for third with 376 blocks ... Averaged 3.12 kills/set, 1.21 digs/set and 0.90 blocks/set ... Career hitting percentage of .322 ranks sixth ... In 2011, became the program’s second ever AVCA First Team All-American, ninth WCC player of the Year and only (in any sport) Lowe’s Senior CLASS finalist ... First and only student-athlete to make the AVCA All-American first team roster in both indoor and sand volleyball during the same season. 2012 - Member of the inaugural AVCA Sand Volleyball All-American class ... Reached the semifinals of the AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Pairs Championship alongside partner Lilla Frederick. 2011 – Named AVCA All-America First-Team and West Coast Conference Player of the Year. 2010 – Awarded AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-Pacific Region and All-WCC First-Team. 2009 – Selected AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-Pacific Region and All-WCC First-Team. 2008 – Named WCC Freshman of the Year.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played for Nike Northwest Juniors and the team won the Reno Festival in 16s and 17s… Graduated from Portland (Ore.) Christian High School in 2008 ... A four-year letterwinner ... A Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection and the nation’s #8 recruit according to prepvolleyball.com ... A two-time Oregon state 2A player of the year ... Won the Gatorade Oregon Player of the Year award as a senior... Earned all-state honors all four years and was a three-time Northwest League MVP ... Team won state championships in 2006 and 2007 ... Also was a standout in basketball, winning Oregon 2A state player of the year honors twice.

PERSONAL: Born Kimberly Hill on Nov. 30, 1989, in Portland, Ore…Parents are Bradd and Terri Hill…Three older sisters Shelby (played basketball at Biola College), Caitlin (who played volleyball at Azusa Pacific) and Kelsey (who plays basketball at Seattle Pacific)…Enjoys shopping and watching television ... Lists her sports hero as Kerri Strugg ... Favorite pro volleyball player is Kerri Walsh ... Favorite pro sports team is the Portland Trailblazers ... Favorite book is Redeeming Love ... Favorite movie is Dreamgirls ... Favorite TV show is Friends ... Favorite musical artist is Beyonce’ ... Favorite sport other than volleyball is speedwalking ... Favorite things about volleyball are “how emotional it is and how close you get to your team.”


30

Regan HoodOutside Hitter * 6-2

Dallas, TexasCollege: LSU

Joined Team: September 2011Last Club: Dinamo Bucharest

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze)

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 - Played in four set at Pan American Games, helping Team USA to the bronze medal…Tallied eight kills and a block versus Mexico in two sets of action.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2004 - First-team All-Louisiana selection ... Became just the 13th player in LSU history to record 1,000 career kills ... Finished her career ranked 11th in school history ... Led the team with 344 kills and ranked second in kills per game. 2003 - Second-team All-SEC selection ... Named to the All-Louisiana first team ... Became just the fourth player in LSU volleyball history to lead the Tigers in kills, blocks and hitting percentage in the same season. 2002 - Honorable Mention All-Louisiana selection ... Led the team with 18 block solos, 83 block assists and 101 total blocks ... Ranked second on the team with 310 kills and 3.01 kills per game. 2001 - Had a team-best 1.39 blocks per game average playing mostly middle blocker.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Started playing club volleyball in 1999 with North Dallas Juniors… Named first-team all-state and the District Offensive Player of the Year in her senior season at Bishop Lynch High School ... Also played soccer, earning four letters.

PERSONAL: Born Regan Elizabeth Hood on Aug. 10, 1983, in Lafayette,

Louisiana…Parents are Mark and Ann Hood…Older sister is Rachel Hood…Hobbies are reading, watching television, playing games with friends…Favorite food is Mexican…Favorite book is all. Favorite movies are comedies…Favorite team is LSU Athletics…Most admired people are her parents because “they worked hard and supported my sister and I to give us all the opportunities we have.”…In 2013, will be starting her eighth professional season in different country (Holland, Spain, France, Azerbaijan, Romania, Turkey).


31

Cursty JacksonOutside Hitter * 6-1

Los Angeles, CaliforniaCollege: Arizona

Joined Team: May 2013Last Club: Quimper Volley 29



COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 - Named to the All Pac-12 Team after playing in every set and led Arizona in hitting percentage (.293) and blocks (102). 2010 – Selected All-Pac 10 Honorable Mention after transferring to University of Arizona…Averaged 2.43 kills per game and posted a team-high 133 total blocks...2009 - Named to the Mountain West’s All-Conference playing for UNLV…Placed third in points per set (4.10) and fourth in kills per set (3.39) in the conference…Participated in all matches in 2009. Led the Rebels in kills (298), kills per set (3.39), assisted blocks (71) and total blocks (88). 2008 - Named the Mountain West Conference’s Freshman of the Year playing for UNLV... Had a total of 210 kills with nine matches of 10 or more kills, including a season-high 19 vs. BYU (Nov. 6).

CLUB/PREP CAREER: A 2008 graduate of John A. Rowland High School in Rowland Heights, Calif....Lettered three years in volleyball, while also participating in track and basketball...Named to the All-Valley First Team in volleyball and track in 2007-08...Named to the All-San Antonio League First Team during her junior and senior seasons in volleyball and track...Won the league championships in long jump in 2005-06 and the high jump in 2007-08...Team captain in 2007-08...Holds the high school’s record in the high jump, long jump and triple jump.

PERSONAL: Born Cursty Jackson on Sept. 11, 1990…Has 10 siblings: Antonio, Curtis Jr., Latisha, Shaquisha, Curtisha, Shawanda, Leonardo, Kayonna, Ravion and Shamya.


32

Jordan Larson-BurbachOutside Hitter * 6-2Hooper, NebraskaCollege: Nebraska

Joined Team: June 2009Last Club: Dinamo Kazan

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: Helped U.S. earn silver medal at the Olympic Games by starting seven of eight matches and averaging 3.50 points and 2.42 digs per set…Produced a .302 hitting efficiency with 2.96 kills per set to go with 0.42 blocks per set…Scored 18 points in consecutive victories over Korea (July 28) and Brazil (July 30)…Ranked 16th overall in scoring at the Olympics, along with 10th in Best Spiker

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)...Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – Pan American Cup (Bronze)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…Tour of Brazil…FIVB World Championship (Fourth). 2009 – Pan American Cup (Fourth)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Ninth)…NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth). 2004 – NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship. (Gold). 2003 – FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Started the first six matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary rounds to help the U.S. qualify for the Final Round and eventually win the title…Averaged 4.00 points, 0.63 blocks, 3.26 kills and 3.00 digs per set in World Grand Prix, including 21 points and 11 digs against Brazil on June 15…Helped U.S. earn silver medal at the Olympic Games by starting seven of eight matches and averaging 3.50 points and 2.42 digs per set…Produced a .302 hitting efficiency with 2.96 kills per set to go with 0.42 blocks per set…Scored 18 points in consecutive victories over Korea (July 28) and Brazil (July 30)…Ranked 16th overall in scoring at the Olympics, along with 10th in Best Spiker…Finished 2012 with averages of 3.80 points, 2.58 digs, 0.47 blocks and 3.20 kills per set while holding a .296 hitting efficiency with 16 matches starts and 55 sets played. 2011 – Averaged 2.15 points per set at the Montreux Volley Masters with just one match start and 20 sets played in…Scored 21 points versus China in the bronze-medal match on June 12, which included 14 kills on 38 swings, five blocks, two aces and 15 digs…Started in seven of eight matches at the Pan American Cup with 23 sets played…Averaged 3.22 points and 1.83 digs per set at Pan American Cup…Totaled 15 points in semifinal match versus Dominican Republic, in addition to 14 kills and 10 digs versus Brazil in pool play…Started 13 of 14 matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix and helping the U.S. win the tournament for the second straight year…Averaged 3.05 points, 1.93 digs, 2.14 kills, 0.48 aces and 0.43 blocks per set…During FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round, ranked 11th in Best Scorer, 11th in Best Spiker, third in Best Server, fifth in Best Receiver and 14th in Best Blocker for an all-around performance…Scored 12 points in three-set victory over Brazil in World Grand Prix gold-medal match…Scored 10 or more points in eight World Grand Prix matches while Serving at least four aces in three matches…Averaged 3.71 points, 2.79 kills, 0.36 aces, 0.57 blocks and 1.21 digs per set in helping U.S. win NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship…Finished second in Best Receiver and fifth in both Best Scorer and Best Spiker in NORCECA Championship…Converted 49.4 percent of attacks at NORCECA with .367 hitting efficiency…Tallied 11 kills on 17 attacks with 13 points against Cuba in NORCECA semifinal…Averaged 3.10 points and 1.70 digs per set with 10 of 11 starts in FIVB World Cup leading to the silver medal and 2012 Olympic qualification…Scored 17 points in three-set win over Serbia, in addition to 14 points and nine digs in win over Italy to clinch Olympic berth…Tallied 13 points and 11 digs in win over No. 1 Brazil to start World Cup…Ranked seventh in World

Cup Best Receiver with 55.35 efficiency. 2010 – Started all seven matches and 21 of 22 sets at Pan American Cup, helping Team USA to the bronze medal…Averaged team-leading 3.62 points per set and scored in double-digits in six of the seven matches…Tallied double-double of 14 points and 10 digs versus Costa Rica on June 21…Started all 14 matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix in which the U.S. won the gold medal…Averaged 2.75 points and 2.73 digs per set during the FIVB World Grand Prix, including 10 matches with double-figure scoring…Tallied 17 points versus Italy on Aug. 13 with 11 kills and five blocks…Ranked 18th in scoring during FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round with 47 points, while also ranking 11th in Blocking, 16th in Serving and 10th in Digging…Averaged 1.65 points per set on Tour of Brazil, including two match starts…Started all 11 matches and 40 sets of the FIVB World Championship while averaging 3.2 points, 2.48 digs, 2.70 kills and 0.43 blocks per set…Tallied 17 points against both Cuba on Nov. 3 and Japan on Nov. 14…Scored 15 points against Brazil on Nov. 10…Tallied double-doubles (kills and digs) in four matches, including the final three against Brazil, Russia (semifinals) and Japan (bronze-medal match). 2009 – Averaged 2.73 points and 1.06 digs per set in first season with U.S. Women’s National Team, which included 19 match starts and 79 sets played…Started six of seven matches at the Pan American Cup with 21 sets played…Contributed 77 points at the Pan American Cup as part of a 3.67 scoring average with a 3.29 kill average…Added 0.81 digs and 0.29 ace average…Scored in double-figures in five Pan American Cup matches, including individual high 18 points versus Puerto Rico on June 30…Produced hitting efficiency of .688 (12

kills, 1 error, 16 attacks) in first match with the senior national team against Costa Rica on June 26…Started eight of nine matches during the preliminary rounds of the FIVB World Grand Prix, competing in a total of 35 of 36 sets…Averaged 2.20 points and 0.63 digs per set during World Grand Prix…Reached double-figure scoring in four matches, including 12 points against Dominican Republic on Aug. 7 and Netherlands on Aug. 8…Contributed 10 points in three-set loss to Brazil on Aug. 2…Started five of six matches at NORCECA Continental C h a m p i o n s h i p , compiling 2.70 points

and 1.96 digs per set…Tallied 15 points and 12 digs versus Canada on Sept. 25…Contributed 14 points and 14 digs in five-set loss to Cuba on Sept. 23.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2004 - Led the U.S. Junior National Team to a gold medal at the 2004 NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship, earning MVP and Best Receiver Awards. 2003 – Member of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that participated in the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship, earning the tournament’s Top Server honor.

PERSONAL: Born Jordan Quinn Larson on Oct. 16, 1986, in Fremont, Neb…Parents are Pat and Kae Clough and Kevin Larson…Married Luke Burbach in May 2009…Majored in communication studies at University of Nebraska…Teammates call her Jor or Govnah.

Courtesy of FIVB

33

Cassidy LichtmanOpposite * 6-1

Poway, CaliforniaCollege: Stanford

Joined Team: January 2011Last Club: Franches-Montagnes

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Helped the U.S. secure gold for the second consecutive year at the Pan American Cup…Played six sets in Pan Am Cup, including two set starts in win over Brazil in which she had six kills on 10 errorless attacks and an ace for seven points. 2012 - Started all seven matches of the Pan American Cup at outside hitter, producing 1.36 points and 1.64 digs in helping Team USA to the gold medal…Tallied 13 digs in gold-medal match versus Brazil…Converted seven of nine errorless attacks versus Puerto Rico in Pan Am Cup preliminary round. 2011 – Helped the U.S. to the bronze medal at the Pan American Games as she played in 16 of 17 sets…Averaged 2.50 points and 1.63 digs per set at the Pan American Games…Scored 11 points versus Peru on Oct. 16, in addition to 10 points versus Dominican Republic in the bronze-medal match on Oct. 20.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 – Selected AVCA First Team All-American and Volleyball Magazine Second-Team All-American...Chosen All-Pac-10 Conference pick ...Led the team with 18 double-doubles on the season, including four triple-doubles, ranking second in the Pac-10...Finished Stanford career with 2,366 assists, ranking eighth all-time in program history...Her 5.17 career assists per set average is 10th overall in school history...Paced the team with 7.92 assists per set, ranked second with 2.83 points per set, third with 2.28 kills per set and fourth with 2.48 digs per set...CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-American. 2009 – Selected AVCA All-America First-Team and All-Pac-10…Led team with 22 double-doubles, including 10 triple-doubles on the year...Ranked second on the team with 3.16 kills per set, 2.78 digs per set and 3.55 points per set. 2008 - Earned 2008 All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention after transitioning into a new setter role after primarily being a hitter and defensive specialist as a freshman…Appeared in all 118 sets as both a primary setter and a setter/hitter…Paced the Cardinal with 9.39 assists per set and ranked third on the team with 2.36 digs average and 76. 2007 - Appeared in 90 games, playing roles as both a hitter and defensive specialist in her rookie season.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Helped the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2007 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship in Thailand. CLUB/PREP CAREER: Competed for San Diego Volleyball Club…A four-year letterwinner in volleyball and a three-year letterwinner in softball at Francis Parker School in San Diego, Calif., serving as captain of the

volleyball squad as a junior and senior... Named two-time PrepVolleyball All-American…Named San Diego County Scholar Athlete of the Year for 2006-07,..Selected the Francis Parker School Scholar Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year for 2006-07... Chosen the 2006 San Diego County CIF Player of the Year...Three-time Coastal League and two-time San Diego Section Division IV MVP...Named a PrepVolleyball Finalist and National High School Junior of the Year in 2005...Named MVP of the Division IV State Championships in 2004 and 2005 ...Elected to the San Diego Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

PERSONAL: Born Cassidy Singer Lichtman on May 25, 1989, in LaJolla, Calif…Parents are Grant and Julie Lichtman…Majored in political science and earned bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in history in 2011…Created her own volleyball clinic series called Play with a Purpose in which all money goes to benefit the Ronald McDonald House...Hobbies include laughing, talking to funny people, learning new things…Favorite foods are berries, sweet potatoes…Favorite Book is the Kite Runner…Favorite music is country and pop…Favorite musical groups are Zac Brown Band and Rascall Flats…Favorite movie is Crash…Favorite actors are Robin Williams and Will Smith…Most admired people are Lisa Sharpley and Foluke Akinradewo because they are “such great athletes, but also just really solid people.”…Happiest moment in life was “being with my teammates at Stanford University.”…An interesting story about myself is “I couldn’t walk for a while when I was younger and the doctors thought I’d never be able to walk again. Basically I’m a medical mystery and nobody could help me so I just decided to walk anyways. Now it just hurts a lot.”

Courtesy NORCECA

34

Tamari MiyashiroLibero * 5-7

Kaneohe, HawaiiCollege: Washington

Joined Team: January 2010Last Club: Lokomotiv Baku

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: Played in 21 sets during the Olympic Games as a serving specialist, winning four points off her serve.

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth Place)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Pan American Games (Bronze)...FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – Tour of China…Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…Pan American Cup (Bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Played in 43 of a possible 48 sets in the FIVB World Grand Prix, including stepping into the starting libero the final two matches…As a serving sub in 35 sets, served 60 times with two aces averaging 1.71 serves per substitution…Averaged 1.02 digs per set in her limited action on the court, including 18 digs in the gold-medal clinching match against China on July 1…Played in 21 sets during the Olympic Games as a serving specialist, winning four points off her serve…Finished 2012 having played 73 sets with two match starts at libero, compiling a 0.60 dig average…Totaled three aces as a serving specialist. 2011 – Reserve libero at Montreux Volley Masters…Played one set during exhibition match versus Switzerland on June 8, compiling five digs…Played in 13 sets with one start during the FIVB World Grand Prix…Compiled eight digs in starting role against Peru on Aug. 21…Averaged 1.08 assists per set during World Grand Prix…Averaged 2.35 digs per set in helping the U.S. to the Pan American Games bronze medal…Started all five matches of Pan American Games at libero…Played libero in one match during FIVB World Cup, leading to two digs in a victory over Algeria. 2010 - Played in seven sets over three-match Tour of China…Averaged team-leading 4.00 digs per set on Tour of China, including 13 digs versus Evergrande on Feb. 2…Provided a total of 12 digs in 15 sets as a back-row substitution during the Montreux Volley Masters…Tallied five digs each against Russia (June 11) and China (June 13) in the gold-medal match…Designated libero in one of seven matches at Pan American Cup, compiling seven digs versus Costa Rica on June 21... Made professional club debut with SVS Post Schwechat Vienna, Austria.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2009 – Selected AVCA All-American Second Team…Totaled 517 digs as a senior with a 4.92 dig average while playing in 30 matches and 105 sets…Holds University of Washington school record for career digs with 2,382 and 5.36 digs per set. 2008 – Named National Defensive Player of the Year by UnderArmour/Volleyball Magazine ... Second team AVCA All-America ... First-team All-Pac-10 ... Led the Pac-10 and finished 16th in the nation in digs (5.14 dps) ... Played in all 114 sets and all 32 matches. 2007 – Named National Defensive Player of the Year by Asics/Volleyball Magazine ... Selected third team AVCA All-American and honorable mention Asics/Volleyball Magazine All-American ... First-Team All-Pac-10 ... one of three Huskies to see action in every game ... second in the conference and 32nd nationally in digs at 5.65 digs per set ... her 622 digs is the third-best single-season mark in UW history. 2006 – Seattle Regional All-Tournament Team ... All-Pac-10 honorable mention

... Pac-10 All-Freshman team ... played in all 34 matches as Washington’s libero averaging 5.57 digs per game. 2005 – Redshirted

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played club volleyball for the Asics Rainbows under Aven Lee and Luis Ramirez ...Club team placed eighth at the 2002 Davis Festival and ninth at the 2001 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships earning all-tournament team 15’s club…A four-year letterwinner and team captain at Kalani High School ... Four-time first team all-league selection and three-time Player of the Year ...2004 Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year ...Four-time All-State selection, earning first team honors as a junior and senior ...MVP of the state tournament as a senior ...Led team to three league titles and a third place state finish as a junior ...Team placed fifth in the state tournament as a freshman and senior ...also earned three letters in basketball...Started playing youth club volleyball in 1997 with Asics Rainbows Volleyball Club in Honolulu.

PERSONAL: Born Tamari Miyashiro on July 8, 1987, in Honolulu, Hawaii…Parents are Joey and Gordon Miyashiro…Brothers Imai, Ainoa and Kaulana…Sister is Tehani…Mother played volleyball at University of Hawaii, while father played football at Northern Michigan.

Courtesy of FIVB

35

Kelly MurphyOpposite * 6-2

Wilmington, IllinoisCollege: Florida

Joined Team: May 2013Last Club: Bayamon Vaqueras


INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Played in 11 sets during Pan American Cup helping the U.S. win the event for the second consecutive year…Scored 17 total points in Pan American Cup for a 1.55 average…Tallied 11 points in sweep of Brazil on June 15, including nine kills and two blocks as a reserve with two set starts.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: 2007 - Led the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2007 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Junior World Championship, earning the tournament’s Best Server award.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Named AVCA All-America First Team and Volleyball Magazine All-American as a senior…Selected as a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award finalist…Started every match and set of her career at University of Florida…Finished seventh in school history in sets played (447), eighth in kills (1,306), eighth in assists (2,671), 10th in aces (126) and 10th in points (1,567.5)…Registered 30 career triple-doubles. 2010 – Named AVCA First-Team All-America … Earned SEC Player of the Year … A 2010 First-Team All-SEC selection … Selected CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic All-District selection … Tallied seven triple-doubles on the season, including three that came in three-set matches … Became just the 17th player in school history to record her 1,000th career kill, doing so against Florida State (12/4) … 2009 - Selected 2009 AVCA Second-Team All-American ... All-SEC First Team. 2008 - Named the National Freshman of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and Volleyball Magazine … The 2008 All-South Region selection … Tied for the national lead in triple-doubles during the 2008 campaign with six … Broke the school record for triple-doubles just 27 matches into her collegiate career.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Ranked as the nation’s top recruit by PrepVolleyball.com after career at Joliet Catholic Academy … Selected as 2007 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year…Named captain of the 2008 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 … A three-time All-America selection by PrepVolleyball.com (2005-07) and a two-time Mizuno/Volleyball Magazine pick (2006-07) … Garnered Player of the Year honors from the Chicago Sun-Times in 2007… Was one of only two players with remaining high school eligibility on the team … Guided Sports Performance to the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships 18 Open national title in 2007 and the 16 Open crown in 2006, collecting MVP honors at both events … Sports Performance claimed the 2008 Junior Volleyball Director’s Association national championship … Helped orchestrate three consecutive AAU national championships for Sports Performance from 2006-08, as the club team compiled an 84-0 record since it was assembled when its members were 16 years of age … Named MVP of the tournament during the club’s first title run in 2006…Started playing club volleyball in 2000 with Club Uno.

PERSONAL: Born Kelly Murphy on Oct. 20, 1989, in Joliet, Ill.…Parents are Scott and Sandy Murphy with two sisters, Jennifer (1991) and Mary (1997)…Mother played volleyball at Illinois State University…Nickname is Murph…Majoring in elementary education at University of Florida…Hobbies include puppies, movies, baking, music, television shows (The Office, new Girl, Modern Family, The Vampire Diaries)…Favorite foods are chips and salsa, queso and guacamole…Favorite book is the Harry Potter series…Favorite music category is country…Favorite musician is Justin Timberlake…Favorite movie is Remember the Titans…Favorite actor is Leonardo DiCaprio…Favorite professional team is Chicago Bulls…Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan…Most admired person is boyfriend Christian Taylor, USA triple jumper in track and field, because “I watched him work for four years for his goal of winning a gold medal and saw him overcome so many obstacles and eventually achieve his goal. It is so inspiring to see someone work so hard, sacrifice so much, and dedicate themselves to something and then actually see the results.”…Happiest moment in life is “When I finally made the decision on where I was going to go to college. Getting to tell all my family and friends and being able to look forward to that next step in my life was so exciting.”


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Sonja NewcombeOutside Hitter * 6-1

Lake Arrowhead, CaliforniaCollege: Oregon

Joined Team: June 2013Last Club: Rote Rabe Vilsbiburg



COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2009 – Selected AVCA All-America Second Team after ranking in nation’s top 20 in both kills and points per set. 2008 – Selected All-America Honorable Mention and All-Pac-10 First Team. 2007 - Repeated as an All-Pac-10 honorable mention. 2006 - Named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team and received all-conference honorable mention accolades...Led team with 4.26 points per set, a mark that ranked fifth in single-season school history.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played club at Laguna Beach Volleyball Club…Volleyball Magazine Fab 50…As a senior, recipient of three different Player of the Year awards: Press Enterprise, Mojave River League, CIF… As a junior, received State Tournament MVP, two Player of the Year awards (Sun Newspaper, Mojave River League) and first team All-CIF as a junior.

PERSONAL: Born Sonja Elizabeth Newcombe on March 7, 1988 in Lake Arrowhead, Calif…Parents are Stephen and Ingrid Newcombe…Two younger brothers, Eric and Chad.

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MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2010 – Tour of Brazil. 2009 – FIVB World Grand Prix (9th). 2008 – Tour of China…Pan American Cup (Fifth Place).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Played in six sets during the Pan American Cup helping the U.S. win the event title for the second consecutive year…Converted 10 of 14 attacks for kills in Pan American Cup, in addition to four blocks and two aces…Scored nine kills on 12 attacks in semifinal victory over Brazil. 2012 – Played in 16 sets of the Pan American Cup with two starts…Converted 20 of 40 attacks into kills with a .425 hitting efficiency for the tournament, including a combined 10-of-15 versus Puerto Rico and Cuba without an attack error…Contributed eight points off the bench versus Brazil in the gold-medal match. 2010 – Started the second match of the Tour of Brazil, scoring seven points with three kills, three aces and a block. 2009 – Scored 23 points in a two-match tour of Egypt in April…Scored 15 points (13 kills, 1 ace, 1 block) versus Egypt on April 10…Added eight points (5 kills, 2 aces) in two sets versus Egypt on April 12… Played in two matches and three sets of the Pool I leg of the FIVB World Grand Prix…Provided a kill on her only attack attempt of the World Grand Prix against Russia. 2008 - Scored 11 points during a three-week, eight-match tour of China...Tallied four kills on seven attempts without an error in three sets played at the Pan American Cup.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 - Named American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America First-Team…Contributed 355.5 points as Texas reached the NCAA Tournament semifinals in her senior season…Credited with set averages of 3.26 points, 2.63 kills, 0.86 blocks, 0.14 aces and 0.53 digs…Compiled a .478 hitting efficiency, which ranked second in the NCAA and set a school single-season mark…Finished career with over 1,000 kills and 400 total blocks. 2007 – Selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Third Team as a junior…Named All-Big 12 First Team…Appeared in all 103 games and 31 matches on the Texas schedule…Averaged 3.65 points, 2.90 kills and 1.28 blocks per game…Led Longhorns in hitting percentage (.418) and blocks (130), finished third in kills (301). 2006 – Started at middle

blocker in 20 of 31 matches. 2005 – As a freshman, appeared in 28 matches and averaged 3.03 points and 2.43 kills per game while hitting .261 in a split role between outside hitter and opposite.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Led U.S. Women’s National A2 Team to a second-place finish at the 2007 USA Volleyball Adult Open Championships…Named All-Tournament at the 2007 USA Volleyball Adult Open Championships in the Open Division…Member of the 2004 and 2005 USA Junior National A2 Team.

PERSONAL: Born Lauren Adair Paolini on Aug. 22, 1987, in Tustin, Calif…Parents are Frank and Cathy Paolini with one brother, Andrew (1986)…Nickname is Pao (pronounced pay-o)…Majoring in biology/pre-dental at University of Texas…Hobbies include reading, listening to music, shopping and trying new restaurants…Has spent three years playing beach volleyball…Favorite food is macaroni and cheese…Favorite book is Kite Runner…Enjoys listening to R&B music with favorite musical groups Maroon 5 and Counting Crows…Favorite professional team is Detroit Pistons and favorite athlete is Ben Wallace. Happiest moment in life is every time she is back in Austin, Texas.

Courtesy NORCECA

Lauren PaoliniMiddle Blocker * 6-4

Ann Arbor, Mich.College: Texas

Joined Team: January 2008Last Club: Igtisadchi Baku

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Danielle ScottMiddle Blocker * 6-2

Baton Rouge, LouisianaCollege: Long Beach StateJoined Team: May 1994Last Club: Praia Clube

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: At the age of 39, helped the U.S. capture the Olympic Games silver medal with a 7-1 record…Converted 10 of 14 attacks into points along with three blocks for 13 points in six sets at the Olympic Games…Charted seven points off the bench against China, including five kills on six attempts on Aug. 1…Finished 2012 season with a .388 hitting efficiency and 52.9 kill percent…Averaged 2.39 points, 0.91 blocks, 1.32 kills and 0.74 digs in 2012.

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver Medal). 2011 - FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2009 – Pan American Cup (Fourth)…FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G (Gold)…NORCECA Continental Championship (4th). 2008 – U.S. Olympic Team Exhibition for Volleyball versus Brazil…FIVB World Grand Prix (Fourth Place)…Olympic Games (Silver Medal). 2007 – Pan American Games (Bronze Medal)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Eighth Place)…NORCECA Championship (Silver Medal)…FIVB World Cup (Bronze Medal). 2006 – World Grand Prix (Seventh Place)…World Championships (Ninth Place). 2005 – Front Range Tour vs. Brazil…Montreux Volley Masters…FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)…NORCECA Championships (Gold Medal)…World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2004 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver Medal)…World Grand Prix (Bronze Medal)…Olympic Games. 2003 – Montreux Volley Masters…Russia Tournament…Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)…World Grand Prix (Bronze Medal)… NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal)…Texas Tour…World Cup (Bronze Medal). 2002 – Utah Tour vs. Italy…World Grand Prix (sixth place)…Italy Tour…World Championships (Silver

Medal). 2001 – World Championships Qualifying (first place)…World Grand Prix (first place)…NORCECA (first place)…World Grand Champions Cup. 2000 – BCV Volley Masters...Brazil Trip...Grand Prix...NIKE Americas’ Volleyball Challenge...Olympic Games (Fourth Place). 1999 – Brazil Tour…Pan American Games…NORCECA Championship ... World Cup. 1996 – Grand Prix…Olympics. 1995 – Canada Cup…Grand Prix…Pan American Games…World Cup. 1994 – Goodwill Games…Grand Prix…World Championships. 1991 – Pan American Games.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Started eight of 14 FIVB World Grand Prix matches in helping the team win its third straight gold medal in the event…Averaged 2.50 points, 1.08 blocks and 1.35 kills per set at the World Grand Prix while producing a 50.7 kill percent and .362 hitting efficiency…Tallied seven five blocks as part of 13-point effort against China to clinch the World Grand Prix gold medal... At the age of 39, helped the U.S. capture the Olympic Games silver medal with a 7-1 record…Converted 10 of 14 attacks into points along with three blocks for 13 points in six sets at the Olympic Games…Charted seven points off the bench against China, including five kills on six attempts on Aug. 1…Finished 2012 season with a .388 hitting efficiency and 52.9 kill percent…Averaged 2.39 points, 0.91 blocks, 1.32 kills and 0.74 digs in 2012. 2011 – After missing all of 2010 season to give birth to her first child, played 21 sets with two matches starts at the FIVB World Cup helping the U.S. to a silver medal and 2012 Olympic Games qualification…Scored nine points off the bench against No. 1 Brazil in the World Cup opener, including seven kills on 15 errorless attacks with two blocks…Converted 51.9 percent of attacks at World Cup with a .500 hitting efficiency (27-1-52)…Averaged 1.62 points at World Cup. 2009 – Played in 48 sets in limited action, compiling 2.23 points per set with 0.73 blocks per set and a 44.9 kill percent…Scored 59 points in seven matches (started six matches) at the Pan American Cup, including 22 blocks as part of a 1.00 average to earn the Best Blocker of the Tournament…Hit at a .342 efficiency at the Pan American Cup and converted 46.6 percent of attacks into kills…Started all three matches of the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G third-round competition in Orlando, averaging 2.29 points in seven sets played…Helped U.S. qualify for the 2010 FIVB World Championship in the NORCECA Pool G event by converting eight of 11 attacks into kills…Averaged 1.68 points per set during NORCECA Continental Championship in five starts and 19 sets played…Totaled 11 points with a .444 hitting efficiency against Dominican Republic on Sept. 26. 2008 – Played and started 12 of 15 possible sets in three-match series versus Brazil June 11-14…Averaged 2.58 points per set, including 0.83 blocks and 0.25 aces per set…Attacked at a .400 efficiency (kills minus errors divided by attacks) with 18 kills on 35 swings versus Brazil…Over 46 sets at the FIVB World Grand Prix, averaged 3.13 points, 2.30 kills, 0.76 blocks and 0.07 aces per set…Converted 60.2 percent of her attacks into kills at World Grand Prix, including a .545 hitting efficiency, but did not qualify for the Best Spiker award in the Final Round due to minimum attempts…Scored 58 points in the World Grand Prix Final round, including 22 points versus Japan on July 10…Ranked ninth in blocking during the Final Round…Compiled 85 points in eight Olympic Games matches helping Team USA to silver medal, its first medal since 1992…Averaged 2.83 points, 2.17 kills, 0.57 blocks and 0.10 aces per set while compiling a kill percent of 0.54 and kill efficiency of .438…Totaled 22 points in Olympic Games opener against Japan on Aug. 9…Added 19 points versus host China on Aug. 15, followed by a 17-point performance with 15 kills on 20 attacks against Italy in the quarterfinal round on Aug. 19. 2007 – Flag bearer for the U.S. delegation at the Pan American Games…Averaged 3.38 points and 1.00 digs per set at Pan American Games while attacking at a .342 clip…Started all 36 sets for Team USA at FIVB World Grand Prix, averaging 2.89 points, 2.11 kills and 0.69 blocks…Attacked at a .381 mark during the World Grand Prix on 155 swings…Averaged 3.31 points per set at the NORCECA Championship while attacking at a .453 percentage…Turned in 2.25 kills, 0.88 blocks and 0.19 aces per set at NORCECA Championship…Moved to outside hitter for the NORCECA gold medal match and provided 14 kills on 32 swings, three blocks and an ace…Started 35 of 41 possible sets at FIVB World Cup while averaging 3.14 points, 2.11 kills, 0.89 blocks and 0.14 aces per set…At the World Cup, ranked third in Best Blocker and 25th in Best Scorer…Provided a USA team-high .464 attack percentage during the World Cup on 140 attacks…Reached double-figure scoring in eight of 11 matches at the World Cup, including 17 points in a

Courtesy of FIVB

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sweep of Korea…Credited with four or more blocks in 11 of the World Cup matches, including six versus Thailand on Nov. 10. 2006 – Averaged 2.64 points per set in nine World Grand Prix matches, despite starting just four matches…Turned in five double-digit point performances in the Grand Prix, including 16 points in a three-set victory over Thailand on Sept. 1…Tallied 11 kills and four blocks for 15 points against China on Aug. 25…Compiled a .579 attack percentage for the World Grand Prix…Produced a .764 hitting percentage with 13 kills against Thailand on Sept. 1, followed by a .714 attack percentage with 10 kills on 14 swings against Russia on Sept. 3…Averaged 2.91 points, 2.31 kills, 0.51 blocks and 0.09 aces per set during 35 sets of action at the World Championships…Attacked at a .417 percentage during the World Championships. Produced 17 points against Netherlands on Nov. 1 and 16 points versus Turkey on Nov. 16 in the ninth-place match. 2005 – Danielle played a key role as the USA Women captured the silver medal at the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in Japan in November…The United States finished the tournament with a record of 4-1 as it earned wins over Korea, 2004 Olympic gold medalist China, Poland and Japan along the way…She finished second among all players in total blocks (17) and blocks per set (1.06)…Danielle scored a match-high-tying 21 points as Team USA upset Cuba in five sets to win its third-straight NORCECA Championship gold medal on Sept. 11…Blasted 15 kills with four blocks and two aces as the Americans finished the tournament with a record of 5-1…Played professionally for Pallavolo Chieri in Italy. 2004 – Made her third-straight Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece, as the USA Women

finished tied for fifth overall after losing to Brazil in the tournament quarterfinals…Finished tied for first on the team in total blocks in Athens with 15 and tied for seventh among all players. 2003 – Helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2003 World Cup and a berth in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece…Finished first on the team and eighth among all players with 152 total points in 11 matches (110 kills, 40 blocks, 2 aces) as the United States went 8-3…On the season Scott played in 128 of a possible 163 sets and finished first on the team in blocks (89) and hitting percentage (.486)…Ranked second on the squad in total points (433) and points per set (3.38), third in total kills (326) and tied for fifth in service aces (18)…Named to the USA Volleyball 75th Anniversary Women’s 1978-2003 All-Era Team in May…Played professionally for Pallavolo Chieri in Italy. 2002 – Won a silver medal at the 2002 Women’s Volleyball World Championships…Started all 11 matches at the World Championships and averaged 10.6 points per match…Captured Best Blocker honors at the World Championships after leading all players with 38 total stuffs…Played professionally for the Pioneer Red Wings in Japan’s V-League…Earned the league’s Best Blocker honor for the past season. 2001 – Named Most Valuable Player of the World Grand Prix after earning Best Scorer and Best Blocker awards…Played professionally for A.D.C. BCN in Brazil. 2000 – Finished the season as the team leader in kills (423), blocks (140) and hitting percentage (.347)…Earned the MVP honor at the NIKE Americas’ Volleyball Challenge after posting 36 kills, 17 digs, 15 blocks and a .359 hitting percentage in 12 games played...Sparked the team to an Olympic berth with nine stuff blocks in the championship match against Canada...Led the team in kills (60) and blocks (15) at the BCV Volley Masters...Posted a career-high 10 blocks versus Brazil...Led the team with 18 kills and eight blocks in a four-set upset of Brazil...Led the team in kills (133), blocks (37) and hitting percentage (.332) at the Grand Prix…Led the team and the Olympic Games in blocking with 33 stuffs…Added 101 kills, 32 digs, five aces and a .343 hitting percentage. 1999 – Led the team in total kills (92) and blocks (17) en route to a bronze medal at the Pan American Games…Posted a season high 24 kills on the Brazil Tour…Helped the team qualify for the World Cup with 46 kills and 13 blocks at the NORCECA Championship ... Her 39 blocks ranked among the top five at the World Cup ... Also posted 97 kills and seven aces. 1996 – Earned the starting middle blocker position in the final two Olympic Games matches, leading the team in kills versus Germany for seventh place. 1995 – Helped Team USA claim the World Grand Prix title with victories over Cuba, Brazil and China. Saw extensive playing time off the bench. 1994 – Joined the team on a full-time basis in the summer of 1994, earning a spot on the roster for the Goodwill Games, Grand Prix and World Championships…Paced the team with 22 kills in a victory over Germany. 1991 – Member of Pan American Games.

PERSONAL: Danielle Scott was born Oct. 1, 1972 to Charles Young and Vera Scott…Married to Eduardo Arruda (pronounced Ah-who-da)...Gave birth to daughter Julianne Arruda on April 17, 2010...She has one brother (Charles) and one sister (Stefanie)…Lists her mother and father as the people she admires most because they are “awesome role models”…Earned All-Big West honors in basketball at Long Beach State…Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in libero studies/sociology from Long Beach State University in 1994…Lists “The Color Purple” as her favorite movie and the Los Angeles Lakers as her favorite sports teams... Began playing youth volleyball for Louisiana Juniors (Baton Rouge, La.) in 1988…Speaks fluent Portuguese and knows some Italian...Teammates call her Dani, D or Dan.

Courtesy of Newsport

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Courtney ThompsonSetter * 5-8Kent, Wash.

College: WashingtonJoined Team: June 2007

Last Club: Budowliani Todz

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: Played in 17 sets with one start at the Olympic Games helping Team USA to the silver medal…Started in three-set quarterfinal win over Dominican Republic, compiling 34 running sets, one ace and one block as the Americans attacked a .396 hitting efficiency (44-6-96)...Totaled 60 running sets overall with a 3.53 set average.

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…Pan American Cup (Bronze). 2009 – Pan American Cup (Fourth); FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G (Gold)…FIVB World Grand Prix (9th). 2007 – Pan American Cup (Fourth Place), Pan American Games (Bronze Medal), World Grand Prix (Eighth Place).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Averaged 3.85 running sets with 26 sets played and two starts in the FIVB World Grand Prix in which the U.S. won its third straight title…Earned wins in a starting role against Argentina in the pre-liminary round and Thailand in the Final Round…Sparked Team USA in final match against China in World Grand Prix, rallying the team from a 17-13 defi-cit…Played in 17 sets with one start at the Olympic Games helping Team USA to the silver medal…Started in three-set quarterfinal win over Dominican Republic, compiling 34 running sets, one ace and one block as the Americans attacked a .396 hitting efficiency (44-6-96)...Totaled 60 running sets overall with a 3.53 set average…Concluded 2012 with 55 sets played and three match starts, totaling five aces and two blocks. 2011 – Helped U.S. Women to the bronze medal at the Pan American Games, including a four-set victory over Dominican Republic in the bronze medal match in which she set 41 assists…Scored three aces in vic-tory over Mexico. 2010 – Played in 14 sets during the Montreux Volley Masters event helping the U.S. secure the silver medal…Used primarily as a double-sub during the Montreux event, but also sparked the U.S. off the bench in rallying the team to a four-set win over Germany on June 9 with two aces and a block…Provided 96 running sets on a total of 214 set attempts at Montreux producing a 45 kill percent on set attempts…Averaged 1.14 digs per set during Montreux…Played in 13 sets of the Pan American Cup as the setter in the double-switch…Contributed 26 running sets in limited action at the Pan American Cup…Served USA to a 14-0 lead in the third set against Costa Rica on June 21, which included two aces. 2009 – Split time at setter at the Pan American Cup, coming off the bench in 17 sets to contribute 2.47 assists per set…Added five points (2 aces, 3 blocks) in the Pan American Cup…Started two of three matches at the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G and led the U.S. to the gold and qualification into the 2010 FIVB World Championship…Named Best Setter and Best Server at the qualifying event, averaging 5.17 as-sists and 1.33 aces per set…Averaged 1.50 points per set at the qualifying tournament…Turned in four aces in key match against Costa Rica on July 8 to clinch World Championship berth…Started final seven matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary weekends, competing in 34 of 36 sets…Averaged 5.82 assists, 1.26 digs and 0.41 points during the World Grand Prix…Came off the bench to lead USA to five-set comeback against Puerto Rico on Aug. 1 with 18 assists, 15 digs and five points (3 aces, 2 blocks)…Tallied at least 30 assists

in three matches, including 35 assists in a three-set victory over Puerto Rico on Aug. 15. 2007 – Played in 15 sets during Pan American Cup, including one set start against Brazil on June 28…Played in all five match of the Pan American Games, including starts in the final three contests…Tallied 81 assists in 13 sets during the Pan American Games, in addition to four aces and four blocks…Averaged 2.69 digs per set on defense at Pan American Games…Recorded 29 assists, three aces and two blocks in bronze medal match against Peru on July 19…Played in 10 sets of the World Grand Prix, mostly as a situational substitu-tion late in sets…Provided eight assists for the U.S. at the World Grand Prix.

PERSONAL: Born Courtney Lynn Thompson on Nov. 4, 1984, in Bellevue, Wash.…Parents are Steve and Linda Thompson…Has two older brothers Craig and Trevor…Brother Trevor played baseball at the United States Naval Academy for four years and was captain of the squad in 2005…Hobbies include hiking, board games, reading and playing the guitar…Attended University of Washing-ton from 2003 to 2006 majoring in business administration...Lists her brothers as most admired persons because they are the most amazing people…Favorite professional team is Seattle Mariners…Favorite musical group is U2 and favor-ite book is “Tuesdays with Morrie”…Favorite movies are Braveheart, Notting Hill, The Little Mermaid…Favorite moment in sports was winning the NCAA Divi-sion I national title in 2005 while playing for University of Washington…Earned valedictorian honors at Kentlake High School in Kent, Wash.…She led her high school to three state championships, earning 2002 Washington State Player of the Year honors as well as all-state in basketball as a senior.

Courtesy FIVB

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2012 U.S. Women's National Team Player of the YearDestinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) has been named the USA Volleyball Indoor Female Athlete of the Year for 2012, while Kristin Richards Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) has been selected as USA Volleyball’s Most Improved Player in the indoor female athlete category.

Hooker concluded the 2012 season with a 5.31 scoring average per set that included 4.36 kills per set on a .345 hitting efficiency. She added averages of 0.80 blocks and 1.81 digs per set.

“It’s difficult to single out one person’s contribution on a team that had so many great players,” said Hugh McCutcheon, who served as the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team head coach this past Olympic quadrennial. “However, we felt that Destinee’s play in 2012 was worthy of this recognition. She consistently carried a significant offensive load for our team and she worked hard in other areas of her game to become a complete player. She is one of the best attackers in the world of women’s volleyball, and when you combine that with her ability to compete, she can absolutely dominate an opponent.”

Hooker helped the U.S. secure its second consecutive Olympic Games silver medal at the 2012 London Games. The U.S. finished the Olympic Games with a 7-1 record, losing only to Brazil in the gold-medal match. Hooker earned the Olympic Games Best Spiker award with a .379 hitting efficiency (.385 unofficial DataVolley hitting efficiency). Hooker also ranked second in Best Scorer at the Olympics with 161 points, averaging 5.96 points per set in starting all 27 sets. She added 0.78 blocks per set at the Olympics to finish fourth in Best Blocker.

Hooker scored 21 or more points in four of the eight Olympic Games matches, including 25 points in a four-set victory over Brazil in the preliminary round on July 30. She added 24 points in a three-set win over China on Aug. 1. During the semifinal match versus Korea on Aug. 9, Hooker contributed 24 points in a three-set match in which she converted 21 of 33 attacks for points with just one error to go with three blocks.

Hooker started the first six matches of the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round in which the U.S. went on to win the gold medal for the third time in as many years. She averaged 5.15 points, 1.65 digs and 0.85 blocks per set in the World Grand Prix, but did not travel to the third weekend phase or the Final Round.

Richards Hildebrand, an alternate on both the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Teams, started 12 matches and played in 50 sets during the 2012 season,

compiling averages of 4.24 points, 3.62 kills, 0.40 blocks, 0.22 aces and 2.24 digs per set. During the FIVB World Grand Prix, she started four of the five Final Round matches in addition to two of the three matches in the third preliminary round weekend. Richards Hildebrand averaged 3.57 points per set during the World Grand Prix, which included a 19-point effort in a three-set win over Thailand in the final preliminary round match and 17 points versus Cuba on June 30 in the second-to-last Final Round match.

“What a humbling surprise and honor,” Richards Hildebrand said. “Receiving this award would mean a lot in any circumstance, but being honored with it this year, which has been the most challenging of my life, it means even more. I lost my mom this past February to an inspiring battle with breast cancer, and afterwards I struggled with whether or not I was even going to return to the USA program, or volleyball at all. I decided to for a few reasons but among them was

because my USA teammates had become and are my family, and the opportunity to compete alongside them at the highest level in the world is one I could not pass up. They, along with our coaching staff, supported me in an unbelievably special way through this summer, helping me get through all the hard moments which allowed me to play freely and improve at the game I’m passionate about. I couldn’t be more grateful for them, or our entire USA Volleyball family.”

Richards Hildebrand was named the most valuable player of the 2012 Pan American Cup after helping the U.S. claim the gold medal for the first time since 2003. She averaged 4.81 points, 4.30 kills, 0.41 blocks and 2.26 digs per set during the tournament. Richards Hildebrand added a .312 hitting efficiency that included a 48.9 kill percent. In the gold-medal match against Brazil’s Olympic-laden team, Richards Hildebrand scored a season-high 35 points with 32 kills, two aces and a block to finish the tournament as the Best Scorer with 128 points. She turned in four matches with at least 21 points, in addition to three double-doubles with kills and digs.

Destinee Hooker2012 USA Volleyball Indoor Female

Athlete of the Year

Kristin Richards Hildebrand2012 USA Volleyball Indoor Female

Most Improved Player

Courtesy FIVB

Courtesy FIVB

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Karch KiralyHead Coach

(September 2012-present)

Home: San Clemente, Calif.

Karch Kiraly, a legendary volleyball player in the indoor and beach disciplines who turned to coaching as an assistant for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team that earned the silver medal at the recent 2012 Olympic Games, was named the program’s head coach for the next Olympic Games quadrennial culminating at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Games, as announced by USA Volleyball Chief Executive Officer Doug Beal on Sept. 11, 2012.

“I have revered representing the USA and wearing the Red, White and Blue ever since my first experience with the Junior National Team at 16 years old,” Kiraly said. “It is a tremendous honor to be asked to lead such a powerful volleyball program, and I am thrilled to be able to carry forward the effort expended by this hard-working and talented group of athletes – an effort led by my mentor and friend, previous (U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team) Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon, and his staff.”

“It is hard for me to define how excited I am that Karch has agreed to become our next U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team coach,” Beal said. “I have often heard him compared to Michael Jordan as a dominant performer and personality. It is extremely rare that someone who was so talented and successful on the court can successfully make the transition to that same level in the coaching world. Karch is unique and USA Volleyball is fortunate and lucky to have him to continue the leadership of our National Team program.”

Kiraly, 51, joined the coaching staff in 2009 under the direction of McCutcheon, who has assumed the head women’s volleyball coach position at the University of Minnesota.

“I could not be happier with USA Volleyball’s decision to select Karch as the head coach of the USA Women’s National Volleyball Team,” McCutcheon said of his successor. “He’s a great man and a wonderful volleyball coach - this is a fantastic hire.”

In his first international coaching experience in indoor volleyball, Kiraly helped the program to a 106-39 record over the past Olympic quadrennial. He played a key role in helping the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team capture its second consecutive Olympic Games silver medal at the 2012 London Games. The Americans finished with a 7-1 record with only a loss to Brazil in the title match.

“I’m attracted to coach the USA Women’s Team for many reasons: first, we have a group of athletes dedicated to fierce effort, to improvement and to redefining what’s possible on a volleyball court,” Kiraly said. “Another appeal is the daily process of a group of people - athletes and staff - striving to be one team, and to being the best team we can be, with the hope that our best might be THE best. A third draw is the strong trajectory the program is already on, with consistent success and numerous podium finishes the last 5 years.”

Kiraly looks to move the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to an even higher plateau than it already has achieved.

“This program has such a history of high performance and accomplished so much, including three Olympic Games silver medals … yet is has never won a Triple Crown Event: a World Championships, a World Cup or an Olympics,” Kiraly said. “At some point, the USA Women will change that, and I yearn to help in that effort.”

“I am confident Karch will represent USA Volleyball, USA and our sport in the most positive way possible and help us elevate the sport and the USA Women’s Team to levels we have not seen,” Beal said. “It is pretty hard to follow the success of our past two Olympics, but no one is in a better situation to do so than Karch. I have worked with Karch at many levels, and I am never ceased to be amazed by his abilities, his accomplishments and his drive. Part of my excitement is anticipating what he can do for our USA Women’s Team.”

Earlier in 2012, the U.S. captured the FIVB World Grand Prix gold medal for the third consecutive year. Team USA was 14-0 in the 2012 edition, including victories over Olympic Games bound Brazil twice (No. 2 in the world), Italy (No. 4), China (No. 5), Turkey (No. 7), Dominican Republic (No. 8) and Serbia (No. 9). The U.S. ended the 2012 campaign with a 30-2 record following the Olympic Games.

“I spent much of the last quad focusing on the task at hand, trying to be the best team we could be, especially in London,” Kiraly said. “But as Hugh’s departure drew near, I became thoroughly convinced and excited about carrying this work forward.”

The U.S., currently ranked No. 1 in the world after over-taking Brazil in November of 2011, finished the 2011 season with a 39-10 record. Among the team’s highlights were picking up the silver medal at the FIVB World Cup, their second consecutive FIVB World Grand Prix title, capturing the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship and winning the bronze medal at the Pan American Cup. Team USA knocked off Brazil twice in 2011, along with three wins over World Cup champion Italy and two wins over China (seven wins over 2012 Olympic Games qualified teams). Overall, the U.S. scored an 11-match victory improvement over 2010 and a 21-victory improvement from two years ago.

“I think it is an incredible decision by USA Volleyball, it is the best decision they could have made,” said Lindsey Berg, a three-time U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball setter. “Having a coach who already knows the core group who will return for the next quad and has the respect from the group and became a big part of our team is a great way to start the quad going for gold in the next Olympics. The experiences that he has gone through, you can’t replace those or ignore every experience in volleyball that he has been involved. To bring that as a coach and be able to relate to players, and know how to communicate these experiences and how to teach them so everyone else will have those experiences is amazing. He is a great technical coach who has been through it all. He is a good game coach and really knows how to talk to us. I think he is going to be so successful and I am so excited for him.”

“I am really happy that Karch has accepted the position as I think it is a great decision on a lot of levels,” said Nicole Davis, libero for the past two U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Teams that won silver in Beijing and London. “Most importantly I think it is great for the continuity of the program on building what has been accomplished over the last four years. Karch was in the gym the past four years learning from a great coach in Hugh (McCutcheon). Karch is a genuinely liked person and he is the type of guy you want to go to battle with. He is already a leader in our gym. I have learned a lot from Karch on the game and how to compete. I think he is a really good fit for the program.”

Kiraly has been recognized by many as the greatest volleyball player ever. He is the only volleyball player –male or female – to win Olympic Games gold medals in both the indoor and beach volleyball disciplines. Further, Kiraly is the first volleyball player – and one of only two ever – to win three gold medals in the sport. Accordingly, his coaching foundation is built around many of the mentors he had during his playing days and his recent coaching tenure.

“My foundational principles were established decades ago, having had the opportunity to play for and work with many of the best coaches in the history of this sport: the short list includes Rick Olmstead, Al Scates, Doug Beal, Bill Neville, Marv Dunphy and more recently Hugh McCutcheon,” Kiraly said. “I lived my athletic career with these principles as my guide, and continue to adhere to them as a volleyball


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teacher and coach. They are: Mastery of Fundamentals, Relentless Preparation, Elevating the Play of Those Around Us, and Ferocious Competition.”

“We have had some of the most remarkable coaches in the world leading our two National Teams,” Beal said. “I am confident Karch will continue that tradition, legacy and level of success. His passion for the sport, his work ethic, his leadership and competitiveness is almost unmatchable. What is perhaps his most unique ability is being able to relate to each individual member of the team and transfer his knowledge, insight and his support making each of them better and the team stronger.”

As a player, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) named Kiraly as the greatest men’s volleyball player of the sport’s first century, citing his performance and courage in leading the U.S. Men’s Team to an unprecedented string of championships including the famed “Triple Crown of Volleyball” consisting of gold medals at the 1984 Olympic Games, the 1985 FIVB World Cup and the 1986 FIVB World Championship. Kiraly also captained the U.S. Men’s Team to their second consecutive gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. The FIVB also named him “Best Player in the World in 1986 and 1988.

After his two Olympic Games gold-medal performances, Kiraly went on to play professional volleyball in the Italian League from 1990 to 1992. He won the World Club Championship with his team Il Messaggero in 1991 and was named the most valuable player. His team also won the Italian League championship in the 1990-91 season.

After years of dominating the game on the indoor courts, Kiraly returned to the sand and became equally dominant in beach volleyball. He and partner Kent Steffes captured the 1996 Olympic Games gold medal in beach volleyball as the sport made its Olympic debut in Atlanta.

Before retiring at the end of 2007, Kiraly had won 148 beach volleyball tournaments (144 domestic, 3 FIVB international events), more than any other player in history. He won at least one tournament in 24 of his 27 seasons of playing beach volleyball, claiming titles with 13 different partners during his four-decade long career. Kiraly was named the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Most Valuable Player six times.

Kiraly still maintains influence on the beach and has been instrumental in its further growth across the United States. He has been active in spearheading the development of the U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball, which was created in partnership with USA Volleyball for the specific purpose of providing an opportunity for adult players to pursue a crowning achievement on a national stage for beach volleyball. In partnership with the Elevation Group, Kiraly backed the creation of the Wide Open beach tour series, a festival and grassroots-based beach volleyball series that started in 2009.

Kiraly was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Domestically, Kiraly has been bestowed many honors for his volleyball skills. The United States Olympic Committee recognized him in 2008 with induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) inducted Kiraly into its 2005 Hall of Fame Class. In 1992, UCLA retired the All-

American’s jersey and inducted him into the UCLA Hall of Fame. Kiraly led the Bruins to a 124-5 record from 1979-82, including three NCAA titles and a runner-up finish. In 2009, Kiraly was inducted into the California Sports Hall of Fame and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America® Hall of Fame.

Kiraly’s introduction to the sport occurred at the age of six. He earned his A and AA rating on the beach at the age of 15 and his AAA rating at 17. After leading Santa Barbara (Calif.) High School to the Southern California Championship title in 1978, Kiraly participated on the U.S. Junior National Team in 1977, 1978 and 1979 leading into his collegiate career at UCLA.

Kiraly now lives in San Clemente, Calif., with his wife, Janna, and sons Kristian and Kory.

Karch Kiraly’s Indoor Accomplishments1988 Olympics (Gold)

- Team captain- Team MVP

- 137 kills, 16 block stuffs, 15 block assists, 60 percent kill percentage1987 Pan American Games (Gold)1986 World Championship (Gold)

- All-tournament honors- Named “World’s Best Volleyball Player” by FIVB President Ruben Acosta

1985 World Cup (Gold)- MVP

1985 NORCECA (Gold)1985 Appointed Team Captain of National Team

1984 Olympics (Gold)- Outside/swing hitter

- Passer- Youngest player on team (23)

- Played in all games (19), more than any other player- FIVB Sportsmanship Award

- Connected on 74 of 158 spike attempts1983 NORCECA (Gold)1981 NORCECA (silver)

1979-1982 UCLASetter/Hitter (6-2)

1982 NCAA Championship (1st)1981 NCAA Championship (1st)1980 NCAA Championship (2nd)1979 NCAA Championship (1st)124-5 in Matches during 4 years

1977-1979 U.S. Men’s Junior National Team1979 World University Games

- Starting setter1979 Pacific Rim Tournament (1st)

- MVP1978 Pacific Rim Tournament (1st)

1977 Pacific Rim Tournament1976-1978 Santa Barbara High School

- 1978 State MVP (CIF)- Won 83 straight matches

- Undefeated in senior season

Karch Kiraly’s Beach AccomplishmentsGold Medal at the 1996 Olympic Games with Kent SteffesU.S. domestic tournaments: 1st (144 times) $3,114,998FIVB international tournaments: 1st (3 times) $83,750

AVP Best Defensive Player 2002AVP Best Offensive Player 1990, 1993, 1994

AVP Comeback Player of the Year 1997AVP Miller Lite Cup Champion 1996

AVP Most Inspirational 1998AVP Most Valuable Player 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998

AVP Outstanding Achievement 2004AVP Special Achievement 2002

AVP Sportsman of the Year 1995, 1997, 1998AVP Team of the Year 2004 (Mike Lambert)

Courtesy FIVB

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Reed SunaharaAssistant Coach(2013-present)

Reed Sunahara has agreed to serve as the assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team during the 2013-2016 Olympic quadrennial, working together with head coach Karch Kiraly.

“It’s a great honor to represent USA Volleyball,” Sunahara said. “I’ve coached at every level and various USA teams, but this is an unbelievable opportunity to coach the best athletes at the highest level. I would like to thank Karch and Doug Beal for making this a dream come true. Also, to all the former USA staff members for paving the way…thank you!”

“Reed is all about success and standards - he’s coached successful USA campaigns, and he headed a strong NCAA Division I college program for over a decade,” Kiraly said. “It’s a great benefit to the program that he has joined our staff. The U.S. Women have achieved tremendous success by setting very high standards, and Reed will be invaluable to that process going forward.”

Sunahara is not a stranger to the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team program or the USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline. He led the U.S. Women to the 2012 Pan American Cup title last summer with a squad absent of any 2012 Olympians competing against the likes of Brazil and Dominican Republic with largely their Olympic roster. The Pan Am Cup gold medal qualified the Americans into the 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix where they will attempt to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive title of the premier annual event for international volleyball. Sunahara gained a familiarity with the FIVB World Grand Prix as he served as the U.S. Women’s team leader during the 2010 World Grand Prix edition.

Sunahara also mentored the 2012 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team that captured the NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship and qualify for the 2013 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ Youth World Championship.

Sunahara has also been active working with other national federations and NORCECA. Last year from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1, he served as a NORCECA instructor for men’s and women’s national team and youth programs for the Jamaica Volleyball Association. During this time period he served as an assistant coach/consultant to the Jamaica Women’s National Team as it won the gold medal in the NORCECA First Round Women’s World Championship Qualification Tournament and advance to the second round.

Prior to his work with USA Volleyball last summer, Sunahara made a name for himself in the collegiate ranks. He compiled a 289-109 record at the University of Cincinnati from 2000 to 2011, reaching at least 20 wins in 11 of his 12 seasons and eight NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament berths. Sunahara led the Bearcats to three BIG EAST championships and three Conference USA championships. He was selected as the BIG EAST Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2011, along with Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2001 while at Cincinnati.

Sunahara served as an assistant coach at Cincinnati from 1997 to 1999. He was the head coach at the University of Toledo in 1995-1996 after holding the assistant coach role at Toledo from 1993-1994. Sunahara’s first venture into coaching was as the assistant men’s volleyball coach at his alma mater UCLA from 1990 to 1993.

“We both got our coaching start many years ago as graduate assistants under legendary coach Al Scates, and it’s where we learned the essential nature of hard work, preparation, teamwork and fierce competition,” Kiraly said. “We plan to push the limits of those values as this program strives to improve.”

Sunahara and Kiraly know each other from their collegiate playing days at UCLA. The pair won the NCAA national championship in 1982 as Sunahara was a freshman and Kiraly was a senior. Sunahara went on to compete for two additional Bruin NCAA title teams in 1983 and 1984.

“I was fortunate to play with Karch and as we went our separate ways, I have admired his accomplishments from afar,” Sunahara said. “To reunite and work side-by-side with him will be amazing! The goal is to win the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics and we will do everything in our power to accomplish that goal.”

Sunahara helped Nike/Molten win the Men’s Open title at the 1987 and 1990 USA Volleyball National Championships, as well as competing professionally for Cisneros Isla Verdes in the Canary Islands, Spain, in 1988.


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Tom BlackAssistant Coach(2013-present)

Tom Black, the current head coach of the Loyola Marymount University women’s volleyball team, has accepted an assistant coach position with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team.

“The Olympic Games is our sport’s biggest stage, and I am truly honored and humbled to work alongside Karch and his staff throughout this quad,” Black said. “Karch is an iconic figure in our sport, but over the past three years I have had the privilege of getting to know him well while working closely with him as a coach, and there is no better person to lead this program toward the 2016 Games. I am so excited to learn under Karch, as well as provide my best efforts for our program and these wonderful athletes in the USA gym.”

Black, who joins Kiraly and assistant coach Reed Sunahara on the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team coaching staff, will continue in his head coach role at LMU while serving on the Team USA staff for the first two years of the Olympic quadrennial before taking a sabbatical at LMU for the 2015 season.

“Tom is a talented coach who is dedicated to being the best he can be at his craft every day, just as we ask our USA athletes to do,” Kiraly said. “Serving as a consultant coach during the last quad, Tom has already made valuable contributions in the USA gym. I’ve enjoyed getting to know and work alongside him, and this program is blessed to have his service as it aspires to reach heights never attained before.”

Black spent the last three summers as a consultant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team as the squad prepared for the 2012 London Games. As the consultant coach, Black primarily assisted in the training sessions at the USA National Teams Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Black finished his third season as Loyola Marymount’s head coach in 2012 with an 18-13 overall record and now has a 47-44 record in three seasons with the Lions. LMU advanced to the 2012 NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.

“There is no greater honor than to represent your country as a member of a national team in preparation for an Olympic appearance,” said Dr. Bill S. Husak, LMU’s athletic director. “LMU and the women on the volleyball team have benefitted from Tom’s hard work and expertise. His addition to the USA staff is a sign of the great respect he has earned in the volleyball community to teach skills and coach the game at the highest level. We are all proud at LMU that Tom will be coaching the national team.”

“I want to thank LMU, in particular my athletic director Bill Husak and supervisor Dan Smith for allowing me to pursue this opportunity while remaining the head coach for a program and university I have grown to love,” Black said. “I am deeply committed to the success of both endeavors and very grateful for these opportunities.”

Including a 115-29 record at NCAA Division II UC San Diego, Black has accumulated a 162-73 record as a head coach in women’s collegiate volleyball. He was named the 2006 AVCA Pacific Region Coach of the Year after leading the Tritons to a 26-3 record.

Before arriving at UCSD, Black spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the men’s volleyball program at University of Southern California. Prior to his stint with the Trojans, he spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons as the men’s head coach at Pierce Junior College in Woodland Hills, Calif. He also was an assistant in 2003 with the Pierce women’s team. His men’s squads won the 2002 and 2003 California state junior college crowns, finishing 15-3 in 2002 and 17-2 in 2003.

On the club circuit, Black served four years as the co-director of the Santa Monica Beach Club team. He was the head coach of SMBC’s boys’ 18s team in 2003, 2004 and 2005 after serving as an assistant in 2002 with the 18s team that won the bronze medal at the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships. He also was the head coach of SMBC’s girls’ 17s team in 2005.

As a player, Black was a four-year varsity letterman for the UCSD men’s volleyball program from 1993-96, setting numerous hitting records and earning All-MPSF honorable mention honors as a senior in 1996. He was Volleyball Magazine’s Small College Player of the Year in 1996, while also earning Small College All-America honors that same year.

Black received his bachelor’s degree in political science from UCSD in 1996.

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Joe TrinseyTechnical Coordinator

1st Year

Joe Trinsey was hired as the technical coordinator for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team in spring of 2013, but is no stranger working with the team after having served with the program as a volunteer assistant in 2012.

Under that title, Trinsey helped with practice set-up and player tutoring, statistical recording and analysis using DataVolley and other collection and analysis methods, and was responsible for the primary practice scouting and video coordination while working closely with volleyball legend Karch Kiraly.

In his new full-time role, Trinsey is responsible for match video analysis and statistics for the U.S Women’s National Volleyball Team and implementing the data into training session plans and match-time decisions. He also plays a key role in creating technological advances to aid in training, scouting and overall team functionality.

In addition to his work with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team last year, Trinsey served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Loyola Marymount

University women’s volleyball program during the fall season. At LMU he assisted in all aspects of the team, particularly in the scouting and statistical aspects of game planning. Among the LMU season highlights from 2012 were achieving the highest program ranking and first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2005.

After serving as an assistant coach with the Brandywine Volleyball Club from 2003-08, Trinsey was named head coach of the club in 2009. At the helm for the last three-plus years, he was responsible for helping to plan and execute training sessions for nine teams, ranging in age from U-10 to U-18. Serving as the head coach of the U-15 team in 2009-10, Trinsey saw his squad qualify for the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships (GJNC) in Reno, Nev. The native of Delaware followed with the second of three straight GJNC berths, this time guiding the U-17 team in 2010-11 to the tournament - the first time a team from Delaware had ever qualified for the GJNC at 17s or 18s.

After a stellar high school career, Trinsey embarked on a four-year collegiate career at Stevens Institute of Technology in 2005. There, Trinsey served an integral role in the Duck volleyball program, including earning AVCA Division III All-American First-Team honors as a senior in 2009.

After finishing college, Trinsey focused his energy on his camps and clinics program, in addition to his coaching career. The owner and director of Trinsey Training Camps, Trinsey started a unique once-weekly series of hitting and defensive camps in 2003. The camps have continued to grow over the years, with more than 100 participants currently enrolled in year-round sessions.

Trinsey graduated from Stevens Institute in 2009 with a degree in applied mathematics.


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Jill WosmekAthletic Trainer * Fifth Year

Home: Silver Lake, Minn.

Jill Wosmek (Silver Lake, Minn.) is in her fifth year as the full-time certified athletic trainer for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team as part of USA Volleyball’s sports medicine program. She has six years experience in the athletic training field in four collegiate athletic departments.

In her four years on the U.S. Women’s National Team staff, the Americans have an 106-39 record, placed on the medal podium in 10 of 12 tournaments and won the Olympic Games silver medal.

With USA Volleyball, Wosmek is in charge of evaluating and assessing injuries, design and implementation of treatment and rehabilitation plans, and providing injury prevention methods to the U.S. Women’s National Team players. As a traveling member of the staff, her daily duties include pre-practice treatments, lengthy core and dynamic warm-up with the team, monitor practice, rehabilitation, post-practice treatments, designing and implementing the weight training program and providing recovery treatments.

Wosmek worked two academic seasons (August 2007 to May 2009) as the athletic trainer for the Penn State University women’s and men’s volleyball teams. During her time, the Nittany Lion women’s volleyball team won two NCAA Division I titles and the men’s volleyball team won a NCAA National Collegiate Volleyball Championship title. Wosmek also

was an Approved Clinical Instructor for the athletic training students at Penn State.

Prior to Penn State, Wosmek served as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of South Carolina-Aiken where she worked with the school’s 13 athletic programs from August 2005 until June 2007. She was a graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota from 2003 to 2005 with primary athletic training coverage for the women’s rowing both tennis teams. Wosmek started in the athletic training field as an athletic training student while an undergraduate at Minnesota State University, Mankato between August 1999 to May 2003.

Wosmek was a three-sport athlete at Glencoe-Silver Lake High School participating in volleyball, basketball and softball. She continued her athletic experience by competing in four sports at the intramural level.

Wosmek, a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) since 2001, completed the NATA Board of Certification in June of 2003. She graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a bachelor of science degree in athletic training, a CAAHEP accredited program, in 2003 with a minor in corporate and community fitness and wellness.

Wosmek earned her master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota in May of 2005. She successfully defended her master’s thesis Concepts Related to the Protonics Neuromuscular Repositioning System and Supporting Case Reports and had it published.

Wosmek was a Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Book Reviewer. She edited approximately 15 chapters for kinesiology books for the company between 2007 and 2008.

Wosmek has additional training in advanced manual therapy techniques, orthotic evaluation and design, biomechanical analysis, sport nutrition, sport psychology, and strength and conditioning.


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2012 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Stats Kills/ Kill Attack Total Attack Aces/ Blocks/ Digs/ Points/ Name Sets Kills Set PCT Errors Attack Eff. Aces Set Blocks Sets Digs Set Points SetFoluke Akinradewo 56 115 2.05 54.8 22 210 .443 10 0.18 49 0.88 32 0.57 174 3.11Kayla Banwarth 28 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 88 3.14 0 0.00Cynthia Barboza 12 26 2.17 40.6 12 64 .219 1 0.08 2 0.17 17 1.42 29 2.42Lindsey Berg 53 10 0.19 32.3 5 31 .161 4 0.08 4 0.08 118 2.23 18 0.34Heather Bown 22 29 1.32 49.2 7 59 .373 2 0.09 17 0.77 8 0.36 48 2.18Keao Burdine 6 3 0.50 37.5 2 8 .125 0 0.00 1 0.17 1 0.17 4 0.67Nicole Davis 81 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 272 3.36 0 0.00Nicole Fawcett 20 33 1.65 45.2 13 73 .274 1 0.05 4 0.20 17 0.85 38 1.90Lauren Gibbemeyer 24 48 2.00 46.2 11 104 .356 7 0.29 26 1.08 13 0.54 81 3.38Alisha Glass 51 9 0.18 32.1 4 28 .179 4 0.08 16 0.31 90 1.76 29 0.57Tayyiba Haneef-Park 66 63 0.95 42.3 24 149 .262 2 0.03 11 0.17 25 0.38 76 1.15Christa Harmotto 73 104 1.43 52.5 20 198 .424 11 0.15 66 0.90 35 0.48 181 2.48Megan Hodge 41 170 4.15 49.0 46 347 .357 6 0.15 19 0.46 94 2.29 195 4.76Destinee Hooker 59 257 4.36 43.9 55 586 .345 9 0.15 47 0.80 107 1.81 313 5.31Jordan Larson 55 176 3.20 40.7 48 432 .296 7 0.13 26 0.47 142 2.58 209 3.80Cassidy Lichtman 28 33 1.18 28.0 19 118 .119 1 0.04 4 0.14 46 1.64 38 1.36Carli Lloyd 9 3 0.33 42.9 0 7 .429 0 0.00 4 0.44 13 1.44 7 0.78Nancy Metcalf 50 128 2.56 47.1 25 272 .379 3 0.06 21 0.42 76 1.52 152 3.04Tamari Miyashiro 73 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 .000 3 0.04 0 0.00 44 0.60 3 0.04Lauren Paolini 16 20 1.25 50.0 3 40 .425 1 0.06 5 0.31 1 0.06 26 1.63Kristin Richards 50 181 3.62 46.4 69 390 .287 11 0.22 20 0.40 112 2.24 212 4.24Danielle Scott-Arruda 34 45 1.32 52.9 12 85 .388 2 0.06 31 0.91 25 0.74 78 2.29Stacy Sykora 6 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 0.33 0 0.00Jennifer Tamas 23 35 1.52 47.3 6 74 .392 2 0.09 18 0.78 16 0.70 55 2.39Courtney Thompson 55 0 0.00 0.0 0 3 .000 5 0.09 2 0.04 56 1.02 7 0.13Logan Tom 59 125 2.12 31.6 50 396 .189 18 0.31 26 0.44 151 2.56 169 2.86TEAM 115 1,608 13.98 43.8 451 3,670 .315 111 0.97 415 3.61 1,617 14.06 2,134 18.56Opponent 115 1,443 12.55 36.0 722 4,003 .180 109 0.95 211 1.83 1,652 14.37 1,763 15.33

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool B Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

June 8: def. Germany 3-1June 9: def. Chinese Taipei 3-0June 10: def. Dominican Republic 3-0

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool ESao Paulo, Brazil

June 15: def. Italy 3-0June 16: def. Germany 3-0June 17: def. Brazil 3-1

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool JBangkok, Thailand

June 22: def. Serbia 3-0June 23: def. Argentina 3-0June 24: def. Thailand 3-0

FIVB World Grand Prix Final RoundNingo, China

June 27: def. Brazil 3-2June 28: def. Thailand 3-1June 29: def. Turkey 3-1June 30: def. Cuba 3-0July 1: def. China 3-0

Pre-Olympic Challenge SeriesLos Angeles and Anaheim, Calif.

July 14: def. Bulgaria 3-2July 16: def. Bulgaria 3-1July 18: def. Bulgaria 3-0

Pan American CupCuidad Juarez, Mexico

July 12: def. Canada 3-0July 13: def. Puerto Rico 3-0July 14: lost to Cuba 1-3July 15: def. Colombia 3-1July 16: def. Dominican Republic 3-2July 19: def. Dominican Republic 3-1July 20: def. Brazil 3-2

Olympic GamesLondon, England

July 28: def. Korea 3-1July 30: def. Brazil 3-1Aug. 1: def. China 3-0Aug. 3: def. Serbia 3-0Aug. 5: def. Turkey 3-0Aug. 7: def. Dominican Republic 3-0 (Quarters)Aug. 9: def. Korea 3-0 (Semifinals)Aug. 11: lost to Brazil 1-3 (Gold-Medal Match)

All stats are unofficial team stats provided through DataProject’s DataVolley softwareDataPoject is Official & Exclusive Provider of Statistical Software Systems of USA Volleyball

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2012 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Schedule (30-2)Date Opponent (Record) Result City Pts Leader (*DataVolley) Attend

FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Rounds

6/8 Germany W, 25-17, 25-15, 23-25, 25-11 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Destinee Hooker - 21 4,990

6/9 Chinese Taipei W, 25-10, 25-22, 25-12 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Destinee Hooker - 13 3,150

6/10 Dominican Republic W, 25-18, 25-19, 25-15 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Destinee Hooker - 18 6,100

6/15 Italy W, 27-25, 25-20, 25-17 Sao Paulo, Brazil Destinee Hooker - 16 2,291

6/16 Germany W, 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 Sao Paulo, Brazil Destinee Hooker - 15 5,138

6/17 Brazil W, 20-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 Sao Paulo, Brazi Jordan Larson - 21 5,700

6/22 Serbia W, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 Bangkok, Thailand Megan Hodge/Kristin Richards - 15 5,000

6/23 Argentina W, 25-23, 25-17, 25-12 Bangkok, Thailand Megan Hodge - 18 6,000

6/24 Thailand W, 25-16, 25-17, 25-7 Bangkok, Thailand Kristin Richards - 19 6,500

FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round Standings: 1. USA (9-0, 27 points), 2. China (8-1, 23), 3. Turkey (7-2, 21), 4. Thailand (7-2, 20), 5. Brazil (8-1, 19), 6. Cuba (6-3, 19), 7.

Germany (6-3, 18), 8. Poland (5-4, 16), 9. Japan (4-5, 13), 10. Italy (4-5, 13), 11. Serbia (3-6, 11), 12. Dominican Republic (1-8, 7), 13. Puerto Rico (2-7, 5), 14. Korda (1-8, 4), 15.

Argentina (0-9, 0), 16. Chinese Taipei (0-9, 0).

FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round

6/27 Brazil W, 25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 13-25, 15-13 Ningbo, China Megan Hodge - 20 3,000

6/28 Thailand W, 25-18, 27-25, 18-25, 25-18 Ningbo, China Megan Hodge - 26 2,200

6/29 Turkey W, 25-18, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20 Ningbo, China Megan Hodge - 27 2,970

6/30 Cuba W, 25-14, 26-24, 25-14 Ningbo, China Megan Hodge/Kristin Richards - 17 2,220

7/1 China W, 26-24, 25-21, 27-25 Ningbo, China Megan Hodge - 16 7,800

FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round Standings: Gold - USA (5-0, 14 points); Silver - Brazil (4-1, 13 points); Bronze - Turkey (3-2, 9 points); 4th - Thailand (2-3, 5 points); 5th - China (1-4,

4 points); 6th - Cuba (0-5, 0 points)

Pre-Olympic Exhibition Series with Bulgaria

7/14 Bulgaria W, 22-25, 25-18, 16-25, 25-22, 15-11 Anaheim, Calif. Jordan Larson - 26 1,200

7/16 Bulgaria W, 25-14, 18-25, 25-17, 25-21 Los Angeles, Calif. Destinee Hooker - 21 2,503

7/18 Bulgaria W, 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 Los Angeles, Calif. Logan Tom/Foluke Akinradewo - 13 2,558

Women’s Pan American Cup

7/12 Canada W, 25-15, 25-22, 25-15 Juarez, Mexico Lauren Gibbemeyer - 15 400

7/13 Puerto Rico W, 25-15, 25-12, 25-14 Juarez, Mexico Lauren Gibbemeyer - 12 600

7/14 Cuba L, 25-18, 25-23, 23, 18-25, 25-19 Juarez, Mexico Kristin Richards - 21 4,000

7/15 Colombia W, 25-27, 25-21, 25-13, 25-17 Juarez, Mexico Lauren Gibbemeyer - 20 850

7/16 Dominican Republic W, 24-26, 24-26, 25-15, 25-22, 15-12 Juarez, Mexico Nancy Metcalf - 30 2,800

7/19 Dominican Republic W, 25-20, 26-24, 24-26, 25-16 Juarez, Mexico Nancy Metcalf - 25 4,500

7/20 Brazil W, 28-30, 18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-11 Juarez, Mexico Kristin Richards - 36 4,502

Final Women’s Pan American Cup Standings: Gold - USA; Silver - Brazil; Bronze - Cuba; 4th - Dominican Republic; 5th - Argentina; 6th - Puerto Rico; 7th - Peru; 8th - Canada; 9th -

Costa Rica; 10th - Trinidad & Tobago; 11th - Colombia; 12th - Mexico

Olympic Games

7/28 Korea W, 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21 London, England Destinee Hooker - 21 14,000

7/30 Brazil W, 25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21 London, England Destinee Hooker - 25 15,000

8/1 China W, 26-24, 25-16, 31-29 London, England Destinee Hooker - 24 14,800

8/3 Serbia W, 25-17, 25-20, 25-16 London, England Destinee Hooker - 19 9,000

8/5 Turkey W, 27-25, 25-16, 25-19 London, England Destinee Hooker - 17 12,000

8/7 Dominican Republic W, 25-14, 25-21, 25-22 London, England Destinee Hooker - 18 13,000

8/9 Korea W, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 London, England Destinee Hooker - 24 14,000

8/11 Brazil L, 11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17 London, England Logan Tom - 15 13,500

Olympic Games Standings: Gold - Brazil; Silver - USA; Bronze - Japan; 4th - Korea; 5th Tie - China, Dominican Republic, Italy, Russia; 9th Tie - Great Britain and Turkey; 11th Tie -

Algeria and Serbia.

* Match leaders are based on DataVolley Statistics and not official P-2 stats.

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 23 25

GER 17 15 25 11

U.S. Women Hold Back Germany in World Grand Prix Opener

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (June 8, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team opened its 2012 season with a 25-17, 25-15, 23-25, 25-11 victory over Germany on June 8 in a FIVB World Grand Prix Pool B match at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

After trailing 10-8 early in the opening set that included three Germany aces, the U.S. caught fire with a 12-3 scoring run to establish a 20-13 advantage en route to a 25-17 set victory that included seven blocks. Team USA scorched to a 7-1 lead in the second set and widened the lead to 11-3 before cruising to a 25-15 victory. Germany rolled to a 9-0 lead in the third set, but the U.S. made it very interesting down the stretch by closing to within one at 24-23 with a 13-4 scoring run before falling 25-23. Team USA broke a 6-all tie in the fourth set with a 16-3 scoring run in closing out the match with a 25-11 victory.

“We played very consistent and I am really happy the way we reacted in the third set when we almost leveled the score,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “We executed well and we not playing our best volleyball. I think we will reach our peak in July and August.”

Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) led the U.S. and all scorers with 20 points via 14 kills, five blocks and an ace. Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) chipped in 16 points with nine kills on 18 errorless attacks, four blocks and three aces. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) charted seven kills on 12 attacks, five blocks and two aces for 14 points. Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) recorded 13 points on 10 kills, two blocks and an ace. Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) chipped in four kills and four blocks for eight points. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) and Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) rounded out the scoring with a kill and ace, respectively.

Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) contributed team highs of 12 digs and 15 excellent service receptions on 25 attempts. Tom added seven digs, while Larson contributed eight excellent service receptions. Berg provided 12 running sets on a total of 98 set attempts.

“It is good to play after one month only training,” said Berg, the U.S. captain. “After taking the first two sets we were able to come back strong in the third set and finished with a victory.”

McCutcheon started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis was the libero for the match. Miyashiro was a serving in the first three sets, while Hodge was a sub in the third set.

The U.S. produced a 20-11 advantage in blocks and 32-24 margin in digs as both teams served eight aces. Team USA held a 45-35 advantage in kills and benefited from 25 Germany errors. Meanwhile, the Americans limited their errors to 14 in the match. Overall, the U.S. converted 33.6 percent of its attacks into points with a .231 hitting efficiency (45-14-134). Germany converted 23.8 percent of its attacks with a .014 hitting efficiency (35-33-147).

Maren Brinker paced Germany with 14 points, while Margareta Kozuch added 13 points.

Foluke Akinradewo passes against Germany. (FIVB photo)

Logan Tom attacks around Germany’s block.

Nicole Davis passes with Jordan Larson (middle) and Logan Tom eying the ball’s direction. (FIVB photo)

Team USA before the start of the opening match of the FIVB World Grand Prix. (FIVB photo)

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Jordan Larson attacks versus Germany with Nicole Davis ready to cover. (FIVB photo)

52

1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

TPE 10 22 12

U.S. Women Dominate Chinese Taipei

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (June 9, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team dominated Chinese Taipei 25-10, 25-22, 25-12 on June 9 in a FIVB World Grand Prix Pool B match at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The U.S. used a 22-6 run to end the opening set with a 25-10 victory that included advantages of 5-0 in blocks and 4-0 in aces. Team USA scored the first four points of the second set and led 8-4 before Chinese Taipei powered to a 10-8 lead and the Americans battled back late with a 5-1 scoring run to win 25-22. The U.S. used a 6-0 run to break away to a 16-8 advantage in the third set and finished the match with a 7-2 run for a 25-12 final set.

“Chinese Taipei was a strong opponent and I am glad they gave us a good fight because it was a test for us,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “They are improving with time and are progressing. We are preparing for the Olympics and the match against Dominican Republic is another important test. They are a strong team and always play hard.”

Team USA had 10 of its 12 players score points in the match highlighted by Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas), who paced the U.S. with a match-high 15 points with 14 kills on 23 attacks and a block. Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) added six kills on 11 attacks, two blocks and two aces for 10 points. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) came off the bench in the second set to contribute seven kills and a block for eight points, while Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) had eight points on six kills and two blocks in the first two sets.

Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) charted a U.S.-high eight digs and nine excellent service receptions on 17 attempts. Berg ran the U.S. offense with 13 running sets on 64 set attempts. Tom added five digs, while both Hodge and Larson chipped in four excellent service receptions.

“We try to improve with every match we play and this one should help in our preparation for the match against Dominican Republic,” said Berg, who is the U.S. captain. “They will be playing in front of their fans so it will be an exciting and tough match.”

McCutcheon started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis was the libero for the match. Hodge started the second and third sets, alternating replacing Tom and Larson. Miyashiro was a sub in the first two sets, while Haneef-Park was a sub in the second and third sets. Scott-Arruda came off the bench late in the third set.

Team USA converted 49.4 percent of its attacks into points with a .404 hitting efficiency (44-8-89). Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei managed just a 26.0 kill percent and a .106 hitting efficiency. The U.S. held a 9-3 margin in blocks and a 7-3 advantage in aces. The Americans scored 44 kills to Chinese Taipei’s 27. Team USA held its errors to 11 in the match, while Chinese Taipei committed 15 errors. Chinese Taipei held a slim 21-19 advantage in digs and had a 43.9 excellent service reception percent to the Americans’ 39.0.

Ting Chen Wan paced Chinese Taipei with eight points, while Feng Tsai Yin added seven points.

Logan Tom (15) blocks Chinese Taipei with Foluke Akinradewo (16) pro-viding blocking help to her side. (FIVB photo)

Lindsey Berg sets with Foluke Akinradewo running a slide. (FIVB photo)

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon discusses strategy with assistant Paula Weishoff (FIVB photo)

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Destinee Hooker attacks against Chinese Taipei (FIVB photo)

54

1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

DOM 18 19 15

U.S. Women Too Much for NORCECA Rival Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (June 10, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team (3-0, 9 points) is atop the standings of the tournament it has won the past two years following a 25-18, 25-19, 25-15 victory over NORCECA rival Dominican Republic in Pool B action on June 10 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Team USA built an early 7-2 lead in the opening set and used balanced scoring to cruise to a 25-18 set victory in which the Americans committed just two errors. The U.S. scored six straight points to take a 6-2 lead in the second set, but needed a 6-2 run to regain control at 20-14 en route to a 25-19 victory. The Americans rushed to a 10-1 lead in the third set, but needed to weather an 8-2 run by Dominican Republic closing the gap to 14-10 by scoring nine of the 13 points for a 25-15 victory.

“I am happy with our performance,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “Congratulations to Dominican Republic for the excellent organization and for the fan support. We had a good service line today and we were able to attack with effectiveness. USA is satisfied with the job done by this group.”

Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) scored a U.S. and match-high 17 points with 15 kills on 26 attacks, one block and an ace. Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) contributed nine kills, two blocks and an ace for 12 points. Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) notched five kills on eight errorless swings, three blocks and an ace for nine points. Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) produced four kills and four aces for eight points. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) charted four kills and a block for five points. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) scored two kills as a reserve in all three sets, while Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with a block as a late sub in the third set.

Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) contributed six digs and seven excellent receptions on 14 errorless chances. Tom provided a team-high eight digs, while Larson picked up a team-high nine excellent service receptions on 16 chances. Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) charted 10 running sets on 62 set attempts.

“I am very happy with the way we played. It is great to start with a 3-0 in this stage of the Grand Prix,” said Berg, the U.S. captain. “Dominican Republic is a strong team, but we played well. The fans here know a lot about volleyball and even though they always are against us, it is also a source of motivation.”

McCutcheon started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Scott-Arruda and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis was the libero for the match.

Team USA limited its errors to 12 for the match and benefited from 21 Dominican Republic errors. The U.S. converted 39.8 percent of its attacks into points with a .286 hitting efficiency, while Dominican Republic converted just 28.9 percent of its attacks with a .144 hitting efficiency. The U.S. held a slim 8-7 margin in blocks, along with a 7-3 advantage in aces. Dominican Republic held a small 28-25 margin in digs and a 27-20 advantage in excellent service receptions.

Bethania De La Cruz de Pena paced Dominican Republic with 15 points, while no other player scored more than five points.

Team USA celebrates a point versus Dominican Republic(FIVB photo)

Destinee Hooker hitting off the Dominican Republic block. (FIVB photo)

Nicole Davis dives to keep the ball in play against Dominican Republic. (FIVB photo)

Jordan Larson blocks a Dominican Republic attack while Nicole Davis awaits a possible cover and Danielle Scott-Arruda providing block sup-port. (FIVB photo)

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Logan Tom attacks against Dominican Republic (FIVB photo)

56

1 2 3 4 5

USA 27 25 25

ITA 25 20 17

U.S. Women Sweep Olympic Games-Bound Italy

SAO BERNARDO, Brazil (June 15, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team received balanced scoring to defeat Italy 27-25, 25-20, 25-17 on June 15 during the FIVB World Grand Prix Pool E second preliminary round weekend in Sao Bernardo, Brazil.

The U.S. rallied from a 22-18 deficit in the opening set to win 27-25, which included saving a set point at 25-24. While the Americans rushed to an early 6-2 lead in the second set, it was a 5-0 run that built a 20-13 advantage that proved to be the back-breaker for the Italians in a 25-20 victory. The U.S. controlled the entire third set after bolting to a 7-2 advantage and cruised to the 25-17 victory.

“Playing this week with such great teams is very important opportunity for us,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “Italy made some changes on their strategy during the match and we were able to adjust ourselves to it. I hope we can improve in each match until Sunday.”

Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) led the U.S. for the fourth straight FIVB World Grand Prix match with 15 points via 11 kills on 34 attacks, three blocks and one ace. Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) followed with 13 points for the Americans, all on kills from 30 attacks. Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) contributed eight kills, two blocks and two aces for 12 points. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) charted six blocks, three kills and an ace for 10 points. Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) added seven kills on 12 errorless attacks and two blocks for nine points. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with a kill.

Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) provided the U.S. offense with 27 running sets on 96 set attempts as the U.S. converted 35.5 percent of its attacks for points with a .264 hitting efficiency (43-11-121). Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) and Tom provided 17 digs in the match, while Larson contributed 15. Tom also produced a team-high 15 excellent receptions on 32 errorless chances, while Davis added nine excellent receptions on 18 attempts.

“It was not our best match in the World Grand Prix so far, but we showed good things,” said Berg, who is the U.S. captain. “Winning a match 3-0 is very important for the team’s confidence as we are preparing for the Olympics.”

McCutcheon started Berg at setter, Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker and Hooker at opposite. Davis was the designated libero for the match. Haneef-Park and Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) subbed into all three sets.

Team USA out-blocked Italy 13-5 in the match and held a 4-2 margin in aces. The U.S. limited its errors to 13 for the match, while taking advantage of 17 Italian errors. Italy forged to a 73-65 advantage in digs. The U.S. charted a 48.3 excellent reception percent, while Italy maintained a 47.1 excellent reception percent. Italy was held to a 31.1 kill percent and .148 hitting efficiency (42-22-135).

Italy was paced by Francesca Piccinini’s 15 points, followed by Lucia Bosetti’s 13 points.

Team USA came together to sweep Italy. (FIVB photo)

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Assistant Coach Karch Kiraly and Logan Tom discuss strategy in a timeout against Italy. (FIVB photo)

Destinee Hooker reaches for the block as Foluke Akinradewo forces the Italian attack down the line and Lindsey Berg is prepared to cover the line. (FIVB photo)

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Foluke Akinradewo hammers an attack against Italy (FIVB photo)

58

1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

GER 23 23 17

U.S. Women Down Germany a Second Time in Eight Days

SAO BERNARDO, Brazil (June 16, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team remains undefeated in the FIVB World Grand Prix following a 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 victory over Germany on June 16 during the Pool E second preliminary round weekend in Sao Bernardo, Brazil.

In a set featuring 12 ties and five lead changes, the U.S. recovered from a 19-15 deficit in the opening set by scoring 10 of the 14 six points for a 25-23 victory. The Americans tallied seven blocks in the set with five different players picking up at least one block. Team USA used a 6-0 scoring run to overcome a 20-18 deficit in the second set and held on for a 25-23 victory. In the third set, the U.S. used another 6-0 run to forge to a 19-14 advantage en route to closing out the set 25-17.

“It was an important win for us,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “We have to find solutions for the situations the German put us in. Going through these experiences is very important as we are on the way to London.”

The U.S. benefited from balanced scoring as Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) scored a match-high 15 points with 10 kills and match-high five blocks. Both starting middle blockers reached 13 points as Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) tallied nine kills on 13 swings, three blocks and an ace. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) contributed 10 kills on 16 attacks and three blocks for 13 points. Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) totaled six kills and a block for seven points, while Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) tacked on three kills and two blocks for five points. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with two kills on four attacks.

Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) handed out 13 running sets on 82 set attempts. Larson collected team-highs 15 digs and 12 excellent service receptions on 27 attempts. Tom added 12 digs and nine excellent receptions on 17 attempts. Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) charted eight excellent receptions on 17 errorless chances and 11 digs.

“It was a battle, as always is against Germany,” said Berg, the U.S. captain. “We were not as precise as we can be, especially myself. We are 5-0 so far and we want to keep playing in the same way until the Finals.”

McCutcheon started Berg at setter, Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker and Hooker at opposite. Davis was the designated libero for the match. Haneef-Park was a sub in all three sets, while Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) proved valuable as a serving sub in the first two sets. Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) was a late sub in the third set as the U.S. closed out the match.

Team USA held a 14-9 advantage in blocks as both teams scored one point on aces. The Americans held their errors to 18 in the match while benefiting from 20 Germany errors. Germany managed a 75-64 advantage in digs and produced a 55.2 excellent reception percent to the Americans’ 45.9 percent. The U.S. converted 32.5 percent of its attacks into points with a .171 hitting efficiency (40-19-123), while Germany was limited to a 25.2 kill percent and .050 hitting efficiency.

Maren Brinker led Germany with 11 points, while Anne Matthes came off the bench to contribute nine points.

Foluke Akinradewo rejects a German attack. (FIVB photo)

Jordan Larson passes against Germany. (FIVB photo)

Hugh McCutcheon (middle) talks with setters Lindsey Berg (right) and Courtney Thompson (left) during a timeout against Germany. (FIVB photo)

59

Lindsey Berg sets in front of a sea of yellow-shirted Brazilian fans during Team USA’s match with Germany. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 20 25 25 25

BRA 25 18 18 23

U.S. Women Defeat Host Brazil in Battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2

SAO BERNARDO, Brazil (June 17, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team rallied from a first set loss to defeat Brazil 20-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 in a battle of FIVB World Grand Prix undefeated teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world on June 17 during the Pool E second preliminary round weekend in Sao Bernardo, Brazil.

Brazil broke a 16-all tie in the opening set with a 7-1 scoring run in moving on to a 25-20 victory. The U.S. evened the match with a 25-18 second set victory as it pushed to an early 9-3 advantage, then scored the final four points as Brazil attempted to mount a comeback. After three early ties and two lead changes in the third set, the U.S. broke a 3-all tie with seven unanswered points and cruised to the 25-18 victory that included six blocks. Like the second and third sets, Team USA bolted to an early 9-3 lead on an 8-1 scoring run. But unlike the two previous sets, Brazil came back to tie the set at 13-all. However, USA would never let Brazil into the lead and capped the set at 25-23 after breaking the last tie at 18-all.

“It was a really tough match,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “We played in an amazing atmosphere and Brazil was great in defense, which is what made the match really difficult for us. I am glad as my team played focused and did what we had agreed even in this unique atmosphere.”

Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) scored a match-high 20 points with 16 kills on 37 attacks and four blocks. Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas), who was the U.S. leading scorer in the first five matches of the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix, added 19 points via 16 kills on 50 swings, two blocks and an ace. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) contributed eight blocks and four kills on nine errorless attacks for 12 points. Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) charted eight kills and a block for nine points.

Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) and Tom each provided 25 digs in the victory, while Berg chipped in 16 digs from her setter spot. Berg also added 20 running sets on 116 set attempts. Davis handled 15 excellent service receptions on 43 chances, while Tom had nine excellent receptions on 18 errorless attempts.

“It was very important for our team to play a match here in Brazil, with the fans strongly supporting Brazil,” said Berg, the U.S. captain. “We are not used to playing with such an amazing crowd. Our game was really steady, including our energy and our level. I am happy we are 6-0 now.”

McCutcheon started Berg at setter, Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker and Hooker at opposite. Davis was the designated libero for the match. Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was a serving sub in all four sets, while Haneef-Park and Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) were subs in the final two sets.

The U.S. converted 30.7 percent of its attacks into points with a .169 hitting efficiency (51-23-166). Meanwhile, Brazil converted 29.00 percent of its attacks into points with a .112 hitting efficiency. The U.S. held advantages of 18-15 in blocks and 51-49 in kills while limiting its errors to 18 in the match to Brazil’s 25. Team USA managed a 93-85 margin in digs to go with a 41.0 excellent reception percent

Thaisa Menezes scored a Brazil team-high 20 points while Paula Pequeno added 12 points. Brazil played all 12 of its players during the match.

Team USA celebrates a point against Brazil. (FIVB photo)

Christa Harmotto (left) and Lindsey Berg (4) form a blocking wall against Brazil. Harmotto finished with eight blocks in the match. (FIVB photo)

Hugh McCutcheon during the post-match press conference following the Brazil match. (FIVB photo)

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Destinee Hooker (foreground) and Lindsey Berg are pumped after a key point versus Brazil (FIVB photo)

62

1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

SRB 19 23 18

U.S. Women Stop Serbia to Improve to 7-0

BANKGKOK, Thailand (June 22, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team continued to roll in the FIVB World Grand Prix with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 victory over Serbia in a Pool J match on June 22 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The U.S. used a 4-0 scoring run in the opening set to take a 14-11 advantage en route to a 25-19 victory in which the Americans put up eight blocks. Team USA rallied from a 10-3 deficit in the second set by countering with its own 10-3 scoring run in moving on to a 25-23 victory. The U.S. rushed out to a 6-2 lead in the third set and never allowed Serbia closer than two points the rest of the way in closing out the match with a 25-18 set victory.

“It’s great to win this match,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “Serbia is also strong despite the fact that they are playing without key players. I think both sides performed well. I have yet thought about the Ningbo Finals, although (the win tonight) has assured us a ticket to the Finals. We still have to play the remaining two matches against Argentina and Serbia (here in Bangkok).”

Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) paced the U.S. with a match-high 17 points with 16 kills and an ace. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah), who did not travel the first two preliminary round weekends, contributed 10 kills and six blocks for 16 points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) charted seven kills and two blocks for nine points. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) totaled five blocks and three kills for eight points. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) charted three blocks, two kills and an ace for six points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) each tacked on two points.

Glass handed out 28 running sets on 81 set attempts. Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) charted a U.S.-high 10 digs. Hodge contributed eight excellent receptions on a team-high 33 attempts.

“I’m glad that we won the match ,” said Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.), the U.S. captain for the current preliminary round pool. “We played without any pressure. We trained hard. I hope we can perform well in the remaining matches.”

McCutcheon started Glass at setter, Hodge and Richards at outside hitter, Bown and Harmotto at middle blocker and Metcalf at opposite. Davis is the designated U.S. libero for Pool J. Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) came in all three sets as a serving sub, while Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) and Haneef-Park were a part of a double-switch in the first two sets.

Team USA out-blocked Serbia 16-9 in the match as both teams served three aces. The U.S. held a 41-24 margin in kills to help offset 24 errors to Serbia’s 15. The Americans converted 36.3 percent of their attacks into points with a .239 hitting efficiency (41-14-113), compared to Serbia’s 21.2 kill percent and .088 hitting efficiency (24-14-113). Team USA held a 22-6 dig advantage, while Serbia managed a slim edge in excellent reception percent – 17.6 to 17.5.

Sanja Starovic led Serbia with nine points, while Brankica Mihajlovic added eight points.

Nancy Metcalf (12) and Christa Harmotto (13) put up a block. (FIVB photo)

Team USA during the National Anthem prior to its match with Serbia. (FIVB photo)

Alisha Glass provides a set to her teammates. (FIVB photo)

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Megan Hodge serves against Serbia. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

ARG 23 17 12

U.S. Women Surge Past Argentina

BANKGKOK, Thailand (June 23, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team staged a 25-23, 25-17, 25-12 victory over Argentina as Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) notched 19 points in a Pool J match on June 23 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The U.S. came back from a 13-9 deficit in the opening set to win 25-23, thanks in part to a 4-0 scoring run to break a 20-all tie. Team USA rushed to an 8-4 lead in the second set and used a 7-1 scoring run to take a commanding 16-8 margin en route to a 25-17 victory. Hodge scored 11 points in the third set alone, including four straight points with three aces to give the U.S. an early 5-1 lead in the third set that escalated to a 19-6 advantage before settling in on a 25-12 victory.

“We were happy to win versus a good Argentina team and I’m glad we got to try a different line-up tonight,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “We are excited to play Thailand tomorrow.”

Hodge scored her 19 points via 15 kills on 28 attacks with just one error for a .500 hitting efficiency, three aces and a block. Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) contributed 12 points with 10 kills, one block and one ace. Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) charted six kills and three blocks for nine points. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) pocketed six kills, one block and an ace for eight points. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) tacked on six points all on kills via 10 swings. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) notched two kills on two attacks off the bench. Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) served an ace, while Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) rounded out the scoring with a block.

Thompson set the U.S. with 39 running sets on 72 set attempts. Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) turned in a U.S.-leading six digs while Hodge added five digs and a team-high nine excellent reception attempts.

“I’m glad that we could win the match,” said Scott-Arruda, who is serving as captain for the Pool J preliminary round. “I’m satisfied with the way my team played. Everyone did her good job. Now, we look forward to playing the last match against the host side.”

McCutcheon started Thompson at setter, Hodge and Barboza at outside hitter, Bown and Scott-Arruda at middle blocker and Haneef-Park at opposite. Davis is the designated U.S. libero for Pool J. Miyashiro was a sub in all three sets, while Metcalf and Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) were subs in the second set. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) came off the bench in the third set.

Thompson’s setting led the U.S. to a 46.9 kill percent and .365 hitting efficiency (45-10-96), while the Team USA defense limited Argentina to a 26.2 kill percent and .112 hitting efficiency. The U.S. held a 7-4 margin in blocks and limited its errors to 14 in the match. Team USA managed a 24-16 margin in digs. Both teams served six aces.

Leticia Boscacci led Argentina with eight points, followed by Josefina Fernandez’s seven points.

Team USA is all smiles after defeating Argentina (FIVB photo)

Cynthia Barboza flying to the ball for a kill. (FIVB photo)

Nicole Davis passes as the Tayyiba Haneef-Park (3) and Cynthia Barboza (8) look on. (FIVB photo)

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Nicole Davis (6) and Courtney Thompson (22) react to a point won by Team USA. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

THA 16 17 7

U.S. Women Handle Thailand to Finish Preliminary Round 9-0

BANKGKOK, Thailand (June 24, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team ended the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary rounds undefeated following a convincing 25-16, 25-17, 25-7 victory over Pool J host Thailand on Sunday in Bangkok, Thailand.

The U.S., ranked No. 1 in the world and qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games, finished the preliminary round with a 9-0 record with 27 standings points. The Americans lost just two sets during the nine matches and will finish atop the 16-team FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round standings. Thailand ended the preliminary phase in fourth place with a 7-2 record and 20 points.

Both the U.S. and Thailand had already clinched berths into the sixth-team FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round set for June 27 to July 1 in Ningbo, China. The top five teams following the nine-match preliminary round, along with host China, will compete in the Final Round.

Team USA raced to a 7-1 advantage in the opening set and was never threatened in a 25-16 victory in which the Americans held a 4-0 block advantage. The U.S. used a 6-0 scoring run to take an 18-11 lead in the second set en route to a 25-17 victory. The Americans rushed to a 4-0 lead in the third set and led 17-5 before ending the contest with a 25-7 victory.

Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) led the U.S. with a match-high 18 points via 13 kills, three kills and two blocks. She compiled a 56.5 kill percent and .522 hitting efficiency (13-1-23). Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) tallied 13 points with seven kills on eight errorless attacks and five blocks. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) contributed 10 kills on 18 errorless swings attacks for a .556 hitting efficiency and a block for 11 points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) chipped in seven kills on 14 attacks and three blocks for 10 points. Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) tacked on two kills and four blocks for six points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with two kills.

Glass set the U.S. to a 54.0 kill percent with a .513 hitting efficiency and just two attack errors (41-2-76). She totaled 35 running sets on 55 set attempts. Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) tallied a team-high six digs, while Hodge contributed eight excellent receptions on 19 errorless attempts.

McCutcheon started Glass at setter, Hodge and Richards at outside hitter, Harmotto and Scott-Arruda at middle blocker and Metcalf at opposite. Davis is the designated U.S. libero for Pool J. Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) came off the bench in both the first and second sets to serve. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) and Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) were part of a double-sub in the third set.

Team USA out-blocked Thailand 15-1 and held a 4-1 margin in aces. The Americans limited their errors to 10 for the match and benefited from 15 errors by Thailand, which held a slim 20-17 margin in digs.

Onuma Sittirak and Malika Kanthong scored eight points each to lead Thailand.

Megan Hodge hits a cross-court winner against Thailand. (FIVB photo)

Christa Harmotto’s attack beats the Thailand block. (FIVB photo)

Kristin Richards passes with Nicole Davis behind her and Megan Hodge to the left reading the play. (FIVB photo)

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Nancy Metcalf slides in for the dig against Thailand. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 20 13 15

BRA 19 20 25 25 13

U.S. Women Open Final Round with Another Win Over Brazil

NINGBO, China (June 27, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team opened the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round with a 25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 13-25, 15-13 victory over No. 2 ranked Brazil on June 27 at Ningbo, China.

The U.S. benefited from an 11-3 scoring run to take a 12-7 advantage in the opening set and went on to win 25-19. Team USA raced to an 8-2 lead in the second set, but Brazil rallied with an 11-3 scoring run to take a 16-14 advantage in the second set. However, the Americans scored seven unanswered points to grab a 21-16 lead and went on to win 25-20. Brazil bolted to a 5-1 lead in the third set and withstood several Team USA challenges before closing the set at 25-20. Brazil continued the momentum with a 5-1 lead early in the fourth set and closed out the set with a 12-3 run for a 25-13 victory. Team USA recovered from an 8-6 deficit in the tiebreaking set with a 5-1 scoring run and held on for a 15-13 victory.

“In the first two sets we played well, we tried to play the plan,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “The third set was very different. Brazil is a strong team and responded very well in the third and fourth set. The fifth set was a battle. It is a good start for us in this tournament.”

Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) led the U.S. with 16 points, including five points in the fifth set. She notched 15 kills and one block in the match. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) contributed 15 points via 12 kills, two blocks and an ace. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) chalked up seven kills and seven blocks for 14 points. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) recorded seven kills and four blocks for 11 points. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) pocketed eight points all on kills. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) tallied four blocks and a kill for five points. Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) totaled three kills, while Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) provided two kills. Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) rounded out scoring with an ace.

Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) tallied a team-high 14 digs. Hodge added seven digs and a team-high 31 excellent receptions on 60 of the team’s 92 attempts. Glass provided 38 running sets on 116 total set attempts, while Thompson added 13 running sets on 30 attempts in a reserve role.

McCutcheon started Harmotto and Bown at middle blocker, Richards and Hodge at outside hitter, Metcalf at opposite and Davis at setter. Davis is the designated libero for the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round. Barboza subbed into the match midway through the third set and started the fourth set in place of Richards, who came back on to start the fifth set. Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was a serving sub in all five sets, while Thompson was a sub in the final four sets. Haneef-Park came off the bench in the second, fourth and fifth sets.

Team USA converted 32.4 percent of its attacks with a .165 hitting efficiency (55-27-170), while Brazil converted 32.6 percent of its attacks into points with a .227 hitting efficiency (56-17-172). The U.S. held a slim advantage in blocks at 18-16 and digs at 31-27.

Brazil’s Sheilla Castro led all scorers with 22 points and Paula Pequeno added 14 points.

Megan Hodge attacking against the Brazil defense. (FIVB photo)

Team USA group photo before the start of the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round. (FIVB photo)

Christa Harmotto all smiles after the victory over Brazil. (FIVB photo)

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Kristin Richards hits between the Brazil block. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 27 18 25

THA 18 25 25 18

U.S. Women Recover Against Thailand

NINGBO, China (June 28, 2012) - Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) scored 25 points to lead the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, ranked No. 1 in the world, to a 25-18, 27-25, 18-25, 25-18 victory over Thailand on June 28 during the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round at Ningbo, China.

The U.S. broke a 7-all tie in the opening set with a 6-0 scoring run to cruise to a 25-18 set victory as Thailand scored on its served just twice. Team USA overcame a 19-16 deficit in the second set to win 27-25 on its third set-point opportunity. Thailand put together an 11-3 scoring run in the third set to come back from an 11-10 deficit to win 25-18. The U.S. created a 5-0 scoring run to break free from a slim 18-17 advantage in the fourth set and closed out the set on a 7-1 run with a 25-18 victory.

“Thailand is a good team,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “They play hard and are well-coached. It was a difficult and tough match this afternoon. I am proud that the team found the win, especially they found solutions of many problems that Thailand caused us during the game.”

Hodge tallied her 25 points with 22 kills on 37 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) charted eight kills, three blocks and an ace for 12 points. Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) contributed 10 points with nine kills and a block. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) recorded her nine points on kills from 17 attacks. Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) tacked on five kills on 10 errorless swings and three blocks for eight points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) came up with three kills and a block in a reserve role. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) scored three kills in the final set, while Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) rounded out the scoring with an ace.

Courtney Thompson handed out 39 running sets on 86 set attempts for Team USA. Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) provided a team-high 11 digs. Hodge added eight digs and a team-high 12 excellent receptions on 40 attempts.

McCutcheon started Scott-Arruda and Bown at middle blocker, Barboza and Hodge at outside hitter, Haneef-Park at opposite and Thompson at setter. Davis is the designated libero for the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and Metcalf were subs in all four sets, while Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was a reserve in the first three sets. Richards started the fourth set in place of Barboza.

Team USA converted 43.1 percent of its attacks with a .314 hitting efficiency (59-16-137). Thailand was limited to a 38.2 kill percent and .243 hitting efficiency (58-21-152). The U.S. held slim margins of 10-8 in blocks and 59-58 in kills to offset a 4-3 Thailand advantage in aces. The Americans also benefited 10 Thailand service errors and an overall 23 errors, while holding their own mistakes to 16 for the match. Thailand managed a 36-31 advantage in digs.

“Each time we play against Thailand, we feel it gets more and more difficult,” said Scott-Arruda, who is serving as the U.S. captain during the Final Round. “They challenged us in blocking and defense. I am happy that we got through Thailand and get the win.”

Thailand’s Onuma Sittarak scored 20 points and teammate Malika Kanthong added 19 points.

Above: Danielle Scott-Arruda (2) and Megan Hodge (18) prevent a Thai-land kill. Below Left: Cynthia Barboza serves. Below Right: Megan Hodge attacks (FIVB photos)

Nicole Davis moves laterally for the pass. (FIVB photo)

Hugh McCutcheon and Danielle Scott-Arruda at the press conference. (FIVB photo)

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Tayyiba Haneef-Park during the National Anthem. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 21 25

TUR 18 23 25 20

U.S. Women Sparked by Hodge’s 28 Points Against Turkey

NINGBO, China (June 29, 2012) - Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) scored 28 points to spark the undefeated U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 25-18, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20 victory over Turkey on June 29 during the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round at Ningbo, China.

The U.S. scorched to a 7-1 lead in the opening set, but Turkey quickly rallied to within one at 10-9. The Americans answered with four unanswered points and controlled the rest of the set for a 25-18 victory as Hodge notched 11 of her points. Team USA used a 6-1 spurt to break free from a slim 6-5 advantage in the second set to take a 12-6 lead. However, Turkey rallied from a 21-14 deficit to close to within one at 24-23 before the U.S. closed the set at 25-23 on Hodge’s 18th point of the match. Turkey broke a 19-all tie in the third set with a key 4-0 run in grabbing a 25-21 victory to extend the match. Team USA rallied from a 15-13 deficit in the fourth set by taking a commanding 20-16 advantage on a 7-1 spurt and closed the match with a 25-20 victory.

“I am very happy about our performance today,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “Turkey played a strong match, it was tactically a good battle. I am most happy of the depth we have on our team, the substitutions we had come in have a positive effect. I am now looking forward for the match with Cuba tomorrow.”

Hodge scored her 28 points on 23 kills via 50 attacks and five blocks. She converted 46 percent of her swings with a .400 hitting efficiency (23-3-50). Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) added 16 points on nine kills via 15 attacks and seven blocks. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah ) contributed 11 kills on 29 attacks and two aces for 13 points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) charted five kills and a block for six points.

Glass was credited with 15 running sets on 83 set attempts. Team USA converted 43.6 percent of its attacks with a .323 hitting efficiency (54-14-124), while its defense held Turkey to a 40.0 kill percent and .207 hitting efficiency (58-28-145). Richards compiled a U.S. team-high eight digs, while Hodge totaled 16 excellent receptions on 40 attempts.

McCutcheon started Scott-Arruda and Harmotto at middle blocker, Richards and Hodge at outside hitter, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) is the designated libero for the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round. Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was a serving sub in the first three sets, but came on early in the fourth set taking over the libero position for Davis. Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) and Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) were part of a double-switch in the first three sets. Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) replaced Richards midway through the fourth set.

Team USA held a convincing 16-6 block advantage over Turkey. The Americans benefited from 24 Turkish errors and limited their own miscues to 18 for the match. Turkey maintained margins of 58-54 in kills, 4-2 in aces and 37-29 in digs. The U.S. held only a 32.9 excellent reception percent on 76 changes, while Turkey compiled a 50.6 excellent reception percent.

Neriman Ozsoy led Turkey with 20 points, while Neslihan Darnel chipped in 17 points in the losing effort.

Left: Nancy Metcalf going for a kill. Above: Team USA celebrates a point against Turkey. Below: Team USA breaks a timeout all in smiles during the match against Turkey. (FIVB photos)

Hugh McCutcheon shields his voice with tablet of stats in voicing his instructions (FIVB photo)

(L-R) Megan Hodge, Christa Harmotto, Heather Bown, Tayyiba Haneef-Park during the National Anthem prior to Turkey match. (FIVB photo)

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Danielle Scott-Arruda hammers a spike without a blocker in front of her against Turkey. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 26 25

CUB 14 24 14

U.S. Women Blank NORCECA Rival Cuba to Close in on Title

NINGBO, China (June 30, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team defeated NORCECA rival Cuba 25-14, 26-24, 25-14 on June 30 to move within one victory of three-peating in the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round at Ningbo, China.

Team USA broke a 3-all tie in the opening set with a 6-0 run and built a commanding 22-9 margin before settling in for a 25-14 victory. The Americans racked up seven blocks in the first set. The U.S. rallied from a 21-18 deficit in the second set on the strength of a 4-0 scoring run and closed the set 26-24 on its second set point opportunity. Team USA broke a 5-all tie in the third set with a 5-0 run and cruised to a 25-14 victory.

“Cuba is a strong team…they always play wonderful volleyball and we expect a tough match every time,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “It is always dangerous to play with Cuba; we always expect a great battle. But now we focus on our match with China tomorrow.”

Outside hitters Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) and Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) had matching 17 points in the victory. Hodge collected 14 kills on 24 attacks with three blocks, while Richards turned in 13 kills on 23 swings, two blocks and two aces. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) charted three kills on four errorless attacks, a team-high four blocks and an ace for eight points. Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) contributed four kills on seven errorless swings and three blocks for seven points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) added five points on three kills via eight attacks, one block and one ace. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) served two aces with one block for three points. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with two kills on attacks.

Glass set the team with 11 running sets on 44 set attempts leading to a 55.6 kill percent and .472 hitting efficiency (40-6-72). Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii), starting her first match in the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix, tallied a team-high seven digs and eight excellent reception attempts on 12 errorless chances. Hodge added five digs and five excellent receptions on 26 chances.

McCutcheon started Scott-Arruda and Bown at middle blocker, Richards and Hodge at outside hitter, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the designated libero for the match. Haneef-Park and Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) were part of a double-switch in all three sets and Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) was a serving sub in the second set.

Team USA won the battle at the net with a 13-4 block advantage and 40-32 margin in kills. The Americans limited their errors to 10 for the match while benefiting from 17 Cuba mistakes. Both teams served six aces in the match. Cuba earned a slim 21-19 advantage in digs.

“I am happy,” said Scott-Arruda, who is serving as U.S. team captain during the Final Round. “Cuba is very strong at serving, which caused us some trouble in receiving. Anyway, this is a win against a great team.”

Cuba’s Yoana Palacios Mendoza scored a team-high 11 points, while Gyselle De La Caridad Silva Franco turned in nine points in the loss.

(Above) Megan Hodge eyes another point. (Left) Danielle Scott-Arruda (2) celebrates a point against Cuba. (FIVB photos)

Kristin Richards attacking against Cuba’s block. (FIVB photo)

Team USA celebrates its win over NORCECA rival Cuba . (FIVB photo)

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Heather Bown finishing on a slide attack against Cuba. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 26 25 27

CHN 24 21 25

U.S. Women Sweep China to End World Grand Prix Undefeated

NINGBO, China (July 1, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team captured its third consecutive and fifth overall FIVB World Grand Prix title after defeating host China 26-24, 25-21, 27-25 on July 1 to cap the Final Round at Ningbo, China. The FIVB World Grand Prix is the premier annual international women’s volleyball tournament featuring 16 teams.

The U.S. built a 14-8 advantage over China in the opening set, but China charged back to knot the score at 24-all by saving three set points before the Americans closed out the set 26-24. Team USA used an 11-2 run to establish a 19-9 lead in the second set and withheld a late China rally to win 25-21. The U.S. rallied from a 16-12 deficit in the third set to tie the score at 18-all, then continued to side out and saving two set points before closing on consecutive blocks by 39-year-old Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) at 27-25.

“We’re extremely happy with tonight’s win,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “Our Team played some wonderful volleyball over the course of these four weeks and to be able to win this event for the third time in a row is certainly special. Our team works hard and they play together - it’s a special group. As our focus now shifts towards London, we will continue with our plan and we hope to play our best volleyball of 2012 at the Games.”

Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.), who was named the most valuable player of the tournament and Best Scorer, led the U.S. with a match-high 17 points via 15 kills on 40 attacks and two blocks. Scott-Arruda totaled 14 points in the match with a match-high seven blocks and seven kills on 14 attacks. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) totaled eight points with four kills on eight attacks and four blocks. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) contributed five kills on 30 swings, a block and an ace. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) charted five kills on 10 attacks, four of which came late in the third set rally. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) added four points all on kills. Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) served two aces, while Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with an ace.

Glass tallied 13 running sets on 68 attempts in running the offense for most of the match, while Thompson had 21 set attempts. Hodge turned in a team-high nine digs, while Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) added eight digs. Richards charted a team-high seven excellent receptions on 20 attempts.

McCutcheon started Scott-Arruda and Bown at middle blocker, Richards and Hodge at outside hitter, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the designated libero for the match. Haneef-Park and Thompson each subbed into all three sets, while Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) was a serving sub in the first and third sets.

Team USA dominated the net with a 14-3 block advantage to offset China’s 51-40 margin in kills. The U.S. converted 33.3 percent of its attacks with a .217 hitting efficiency (40-14-120). Meanwhile, China was held to a .190 hitting efficiency with a 37.2 kill percent (51-25-137). The Americans also held a 4-1 margin in aces and benefited from 20 China errors in the match. China produced a 41-37 edge in digs.

China was led by Hui Ruoqi’s 16 points, while Zeng Chunlei chipped in 14 points.

Nancy Metcalf (12), Danielle Scott-Arruda (2) and Kristin Richards (24) form a blocking wall against the China attack. (FIVB photo)

Megan Hodge passes during the victory over China. (FIVB photo)

Hugh McCutcheon celebrates a key point over China . (FIVB photo)

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Kristin Richards (right) inspects the FIVB World Grand Prix trophy with Nancy Metcalf looking on. (FIVB photo)

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U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team

Wins Third Straight World Grand Prix

Hodge Named Most Valuable Player

U.S. Women Claim Third Straight World Grand Prix Title

NINGBO, China (July 1, 2012) - Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.), an outside hitter with the No. 1 ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, was selected most valuable player and Best Scorer of the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix that concluded July 1 at Ningbo, China.

The U.S., ranked No. 1 in the world by the FIVB, concluded the FIVB World Grand Prix undefeated in 14 matches, including a 5-0 record in the Final Round. The Americans needed to win the final match of the six-team round-robin Final Round to claim the gold medal as Brazil (4-1, 13 points) topped Turkey (3-2, 9 points) 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20 to force the issue. Brazil ended up with the silver medal and Turkey with the bronze medal.

With the victory, Team USA became just the second country to win the FIVB World Grand Prix for three consecutive years. Aside from the U.S., only Brazil has successfully defended its title having won the tournament three consecutive years from 2004 to 2006 and back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009.

The U.S. has now won all five of its FIVB World Grand Prix titles in China. Two years ago Team USA won the World Grand Prix title also in Ningbo, while bringing back the 2011 title from Macau, China. The Americans claimed their first FIVB World Grand Prix title in 1995 at Shanghai followed by the 2001 title at Macau.

With Hodge leading the way in a full team effort, the U.S. Women captured its third consecutive and fifth overall World Grand Prix title. She was credited with a Final Round-leading 103 points (89 kills, 13 blocks, 1 ace). She finished second in the Best Spiker category with a 43.8 kill percent (89-of-203). Further, Hodge ranked seventh in Best Blocker with 0.68 blocks per set and third in Best Digger with 1.84 digs per set.

“I am so proud of this group,” Hodge said. “We battled hard and came out on top. It was a long four weeks, but we found a way to keep it together and push to get the gold. I wouldn’t have been able to get the MVP award without the rest of the team. We all contributed to it. We were a cohesive unit and had each other’s backs through and through. It was a great tournament.”

The FIVB World Grand Prix awards were based on statistics from the six-team, round robin Final Round held June 27 to July 1 in Ningbo.

Hodge becomes the third different American player to earn the FIVB World Grand Prix most valuable player award. Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) won the award in 2010, while Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) earned the award in 2011.

According to unofficial DataVolley statistics, Hodge averaged 5.26 points over the course of the 14-match World Grand Prix in which the U.S. did not lose a match. She converted 49.5 percent of her attacks for points with a .376 hitting efficiency. Hodge added averages of 4.58 kills, 2.55 digs and 0.52 blocks per set.

Team USA became just the second country to win the FIVB World Grand Prix for three consecutive years. Aside from the U.S., only Brazil has successfully defended its title having won the tournament three consecutive years from 2004 to 2006 and back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009.

Overall, the U.S. had 17 players compete at some point during 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix and all 17 had at least two starts. The balanced squad featured 11 players with at least five starts each and contributing to the gold-medal cause.

The U.S. has now won all five of its FIVB World Grand Prix titles in China. Two years ago Team USA won the World Grand Prix title also in Ningbo, while bringing back the 2011 title from Macau, China. The Americans claimed their first FIVB World Grand Prix title in 1995 at Shanghai followed by the 2001 title at Macau.

Danielle Scott-Arruda shows off the FIVB World Grand Prix trophy. (FIVB photo)

The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team celebrates its third consecu-tive FIVB World Grand Prix championship. (FIVB photos)

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Megan Hodge presented with the FIVB World Grand Prix most valuable player award. (FIVB photo)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 22 25 16 25 15

BUL 25 18 25 22 11

U.S. Women Take the 5th Over Bulgaria to Start Challenge Series

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 14, 2012) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team started its three-match Bulgaria Challenge Series with a hard-fought 22-25, 25-18, 16-25, 25-22, 15-11 victory over the visitors in front of an over-flowing crowd of 1,200 at Canyon High School Saturday evening in Anaheim, Calif.

The U.S. Women, which head to London next Friday for the Olympic Games that start July 28, were playing their first home match since the Pan American Cup in Miami and FIVB World Championship NORCECA Qualification Tournament in Orlando in the summer of 2009. The USA-Bulgaria Challenge Series, co-hosted by the City of Anaheim where the U.S. Women’s and Men’s National Teams train, continues on July 16 and July 18 with matches at the Galen Center on the University of Southern California campus. Both matches start at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by going to usctrojans.com/usa.

Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) led the U.S. with a match-high 26 points with 24 kills on 40 attacks. Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) chipped in 19 points with 14 kills and four blocks. Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) provided 12 points including eight kills and three aces.

Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) reached 10 points with a match-high five blocks. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) added seven points, while Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) tacked on six points in coming off the bench all five sets. Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) and Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) rounded out the scoring with two points each.

“It was nice to play in front of a home crowd for once,” Larson said. “I have not played in front of a home crowd in the United States since college. And the fans were great tonight – they definitely helped us in key moments of the match.”

Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) led the Americans with 15 digs, while Larson and Berg each added 10 digs.

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) started Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis was the libero for the match. Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) started the final three sets after being a double-sub with Haneef-Park in the first two sets. Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was a serving sub in three of the five sets, while Hodge was a sub in the fourth set.

“It is amazing tonight,” Akinradewo said. “We typically play in front of foreign fans rooting against us. So it was a great blessing to have people come out to support us.”

Team USA out-blocked Bulgaria 13-8 and held a slim 8-7 ace advantage. The Americans converted 42 percent of its 150 attacks, while the Bulgarians converted 40 percent. The U.S. hit 53 percent (10-0-19) in the fifth set. In the three sets it won, the U.S. converted 52 percent of its attacks into points.

As a first-time Olympian, Akinradewo is taking hype of the Olympics in stride.

“I am taking it all in one day at a time,” Akinradewo said. “As Hugh has told us many times, it is just another tournament with a lot of extra fluff. We have a great core group of players over the last four years, and if we focus on what we have learned during that time, we should do well.”

Bulgaria was led by Elitsa Vasileva’s 21 points from her opposite position, while captain Strashmira Filipova added 19 points from her middle blocker spot.

Danielle Scott-Arruda signs autographs after the match. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

Team USA during the national anthem in front of a packed crowd in Anaheim. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

Left: Jordan Larson attacks against the Bulgaria defense en route to a 26-point performance. Below: Fans showed their support for the team in a packed house at Canyon High School in Anaheim. (Copy-right USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

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Courtney Thompson back-sets with Foluke Akinradewo running a slide. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 18 25 25

BUL 14 25 17 21

U.S. Women Down Bulgaria in Second Challenge Series Match

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 16, 2012) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team improved to 2-0 in its three-match Bulgaria Challenge Series with a 25-14, 18-25, 25-17, 25-21 victory over Bulgaria on Monday at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California.

The U.S. Women, ranked No. 1 in the world, dominated Bulgaria in blocks (19-6) and also led in kills (58-51) and aces (4-2).

“This building is amazing,” said U.S. libero Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) who played college volleyball at USC. “I dreamed of playing in it, but it was not built when I was here. Right now we are trying to improve by millimeters. It could be the difference in a close match.”

Opposite Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) led all scorers with 21 points on a match-high 17 kills and four blocks. Outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) added 16 points on 12 attacks, three blocks and one ace.

Outside hitter Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) totaled 15 points on 13 attacks, one block and one ace. Middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) finished with 10 points on four kills, a match-high five blocks and one ace. Middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) tallied nine points on five attacks and four stuff blocks.

Opposite Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) totaled eight points on six attacks and two blocks. Setter Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) added two points on one attack and one ace.

U.S. libero Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) finished with 17 digs.

Berg set the U.S. Women to a 42.2 kill percent and a .358 hitting efficiency. Bulgaria’s kill percent was 36.6 and its hitting efficiency was .367.

U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite, Berg at setter and Davis at libero.

Haneef-Park, defensive specialist Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) and setter Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) played as substitutes.

Danielle Scott-Arruda signs autographs after the match. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

Fans of all ages cheered on the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to victory against Bulgaria on July 16. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

Nicole Davis, a University of Southern California alum, returned to her alma mater and helped the U.S. dig a four-set win over Bulgaria. (Copy-right USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

Left: Foluke Akinradewo hits over the Bulgaria block. Below: Christa Harmotto blocks down a Bulgaria attack. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

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Logan Tom puts up a block against Bulgaria. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

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1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

BUL 18 17 19

U.S. Women Conclude Bulgaria Challenge Series with Sweep

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 18, 2012) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team concluded its three-match USA-Bulgaria Challenge Series with a 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 sweep of the European side on Wednesday before a crowd of 2,558 at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California.

The U.S. Women will head to London next Friday for the 2012 Olympic Games that start July 28.

The U.S. Women, ranked No. 1 in the world, led Bulgaria in kills (39-36) and dominated in blocks (12-3). The teams tied in aces (4-4).

“It was really great to play Bulgaria in these three matches,” U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand). “They are a physical team and well-coached. I am happy that every time we played them we got a little better each time and peaking toward the Olympic Games.”

U.S. middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) and outside hitter Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) led all scorers with 13 points each. Akinradewo scored nine attacks and a match-high four blocks. Tom added nine attacks, two blocks and a team-high two aces.

Opposite Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) finished with eight points on seven attacks and one block. Outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) scored seven points on seven attacks. Middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) totaled six points on three kills and three blocks.

Opposite Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) added five points on four attacks and one block. Outside hitter Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) tallied three points on two kills and one block.

Serving specialist Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) scored one point with an ace, as did setter Lindsey Berg (Honolulu).

Berg set the U.S. Women to a 40.6 kill percent and a .354 hitting efficiency. Bulgaria had a 31.6 kill percent and a .246 hitting efficiency.

Outside hitter Eva Yaneva led Bulgaria with 12 points on 10 attacks and two aces. Outside hitter Mariya Karakasheva added 11 points on nine attacks, one block and one ace.

McCutcheon started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Harmotto and Akinradewo at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite, Berg at setter and Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) at libero.

Setter Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.), middle blocker Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.), Hodge, Miyashiro and Haneef-Park played as substitutes.

Left: Megan Hodge attacks against Bulgaria. Above: Jordan Larson reaches for a dig. (Copyright USA Vol-leyball/Matt Brown)

Tamari Miyashiro provides a pass against Bulgaria. (Copyright USA Vol-leyball/Bill Kauffman)

Tayyiba Haneef-Park takes a swing against Bulgaria as USA Volleyball fans line up behind her. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Matt Brown)

Foluke Akinradewo hits around the Bulgaria block. (Copyright USA Vol-leyball/Matt Brown)

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Christa Harmotto spikes past Bulgaria. (Photo Copryight USA Volleyball/Matt Brown)

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U.S. WOMEN DEFEAT CANADA TO OPEN PAN AMERICAN CUP

USA ...................................... 25 25 25 Canada ................................. 15 22 15

JUAREZ, Mexico (July 12, 2012) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team defeated Canada 25-15, 25-22, 25-15 on July 12 to open the Women’s Pan American Cup at Juarez, Mexico.

The U.S. continues Pool A action on July 13 versus Puerto Rico at 8 p.m. MT, followed by Cuba on July 14 at 6 p.m. MT. Team USA faces Colombia on July 15 at 4 p.m. MT before concluding pool play on July 16 versus host Dominican Republic at 6 p.m. MT.

The U.S. opened a 6-3 lead in the first set and cruised to a 25-15 victory in benefiting from 12 Canada errors. The Americans used a 15-4 scoring run to overcome a 9-5 deficit in winning the second set 25-22. Team USA used six unanswered points in the third set to gain a 14-6 advantage and went on to win 25-15.

The U.S. was led in scoring by Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) and Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.), who each tallied 14 points. Metcalf was credited with 13 kills on 28 attacks and an ace. Gibbemeyer boasted eight kills on 16 swings, a match-high five blocks and an ace. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) charted nine kills on 17 attacks for her total points. Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.) contributed five kills on 11 errorless attacks and an ace for six points. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) tacked on three kills and a block for four points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) rounded out the scoring with a kill each.

Kay la Banwar th (Dubuque ) provided a team-high five digs and five excellent receptions on 11 attempts. Glass set the U.S. offense to a 45.5 kill percent and .239 hitting efficiency (40-9-88) with 17 running sets on 66 set attempts.

Reed Sunahara (Cincinnati, Ohio), who is serving as the head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team competing at the Pan American Cup, started Richards and Lichtman at outside hitter, Tamas and Gibbemeyer at middle blocker, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated libero for the tournament. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) subbed in the match in the first set, while Fawcett was a sub in the second set. Keao Burdine (Pico Rivera, Calif.) and Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) were subs in the third set. For Sykora, it was her first match wearing the U.S. uniform in an international competition since an April 2011 bus accident left.

“Victory is always great,” said Sykora, who is serving as captain for the U.S. team. “Canada is a very strong team and I am very happy for playing again. Actually this is my first Team USA match after that accident and I really wanted to get back and play volleyball again.”

“I decided to use her just in the right time and she did a good job,” Sunahara said. “For me as coach and for USA Volleyball it is unbelievable to see her recovering and we are very happy she is back again.”

Team USA benefited from 26 Canada errors in the match while limited its own miscues to 12. The Americans held a 6-5 margin in blocks and 3-2 edge in aces. Offensively, the U.S. managed a 40-33 advantage in kills and 9-7 margin in digs. Team USA’s defense held Canada to a 36.7 kill percent and .222 hitting efficiency (33-13-90).

“USA found our weaknesses, especially in the pass and the other difference was in the unforced errors,” Canada coach Arnd Ludwig said.

2012 U.S. Women's National Team Match CapsulesTEAM USA BLOCKS PUERTO RICO IN PAN AM CUP POOL PLAY

USA ...................................... 25 25 25 Puerto Rico ........................... 15 12 14

JUAREZ, Mexico (July 13, 2012) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team used 20 blocks to defeat Puerto Rico 25-15, 25-12, 25-14 on July 13 during the Women’s Pan American Cup at Juarez, Mexico.

The U.S., now 2-0 in the Pan American Cup, continues Pool A action on July 14 at 6 p.m. MT. Team USA faces Colombia on July 15 at 4 p.m. MT before concluding pool play on July 16 versus host Dominican Republic at 6 p.m. MT.

The U.S. put together a 9-2 scoring run in the opening set to break free from an 11-10 advantage in winning 25-15. Team USA raced out to a 7-1 advantage in the second set and never looked back in tallying a 25-12 victory. The Americans unleashed a 9-1 scoring run to establish a 16-7 lead in the third set and finished off the set 25-14 with eight team blocks.

Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) tallied a U.S. and match-high 11 points with seven kills on 12 attacks and four blocks. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) contributed five blocks and five kills on eight swings for 10 points. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) charted six kills on 10 errorless attacks and three blocks in the victory. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) totaled six kills on nine errorless attacks and a block for seven points, which was matched by Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) and her seven kills on nine errorless attacks. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) came off the bench to score three kills and two blocks for five points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) recorded three blocks, while Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, Calif.) and Keao Burdine each placed a kill and block on the stat sheet for two points.

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) totaled a team-high six excellent receptions on 12 attempts. Banwarth, Fawcett and Metcalf all tallied two digs each. Glass notched eight running sets on 26 set attempts, while Lloyd added three running sets on 23 attempts.

“Puerto Rico started off well,” said Reed Sunahara, who is serving as the U.S. Women’s National Team head coach for the tournament. “For us we were worried about it. It is a good team, with good passing and they did a nice job. Tonight our bench did a nice job. Once they got in they did what we expected.”

Reed Sunahara (Cincinnati, Ohio), who is serving as the head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team competing at the Pan American Cup, started Richards and Lichtman at outside hitter, Paolini and Gibbemeyer at middle blocker, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated libero for the tournament. Lloyd and Fawcett each subbed into the match in the second set and started the third set. Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) subbed in the second and third sets, while Burdine came off the bench in the third set.

Team USA held a commanding 20-3 block advantage and limited its errors to 12 in the match. The Americans converted 59.0 percent of their attacks with a .508 hitting efficiency (36-5-61). Puerto Rico committed 19 errors with a negative .033 hitting efficiency (24-27-90) to offset its 2-0 margin in aces. The U.S. produced a 36-24 advantage in kills.

“Puerto Rico is a very good team,” said Sykora, who is serving as the captain of the team. “It is always good for us to play against them. Despite the 3-0 score, they are a great team. This was a positive victory for us and we expect to play better.”

Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Enright scored a team-high 10 points all coming on kills, while Yarimar Rosa added five points. No other Puerto Rican tallied more than three points in the loss.

Courtesy of NORCECA

Courtesy of NORCECA

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U.S. WOMEN FALL TO CUBA FOR FIRST LOSS OF 2012

USA ...................................... 18 23 25 19 Cuba .................................... 25 25 23 25

JUAREZ, Mexico (July 14, 2012) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team fell to Cuba 25-18, 25-23, 18-25, 25-19 on July 14 during the Women’s Pan American Cup at Juarez, Mexico.

Team USA, now 2-1 in the tournament and in second place in Pool A, continues Pan American Cup play on Sunday against Colombia at 4 p.m. MT before concluding Pool A with Dominican Republic at 6 p.m. MT.

Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) led the team with 20 points off of a match-high 18 kills and two blocks. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) followed suit posting 15 points off of 13 kills and two blocks. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) charted six points with a team-high 23

excellent receptions on 39 chances. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) added five points, while Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.), Nancy Metcalf and Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) tallied four points each. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with three points.

Team USA converted 45.9 percent of its attacks with a .294 hitting efficiency ( 5 0 - 1 8 - 1 0 9 ) . C u b a converted 52.3 percent of its attacks with a .371 hitting efficiency (55-16-105). Both teams put up 11 blocks, but Cuba’s 4-0 ace advantage kept the Americans off from the first touch.

Reed Sunaha ra , t he U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team head coach for the Pan American Cup, started Gibbemeyer and Tamas at middle blocker, Lichtman and Richards at outside hitter, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) is the designated libero for the

tournament. Paolini started the last three sets after subbing in the first set. Fawcett started the final two sets after coming off the bench in the first two sets.

2012 U.S. Women's National Team Match CapsulesU.S. WOMEN BLOCK COLOMBIA UPSET BID

USA ...................................... 25 25 25 25 Colombia .............................. 27 21 13 17

JUAREZ, Mexico (July 15, 2012) – Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) scored 22 points with 11 blocks to lead the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team past Colombia 25-27, 25-21, 25-13, 25-17 on July 15 during the Women’s Pan American Cup at Juarez, Mexico.

The U.S., now 3-1 in the Pan American Cup, concludes pool play on July 16 versus host Dominican Republic at 6 p.m. MT.

Colombia overcame a 12-6 deficit in the opening set to win 27-25 thanks to 11 Team USA errors. The U.S. let a 17-12 lead in the second set slip away to a tie at 19-all, but then scored five of the final six points for a 25-21 win. Colombia tallied five aces in the set, but committed eight errors to the Americans’ two. Team USA went on a 9-0 scoring run with seven blocks, including six by Gibbemeyer, to comfortably earn a 25-13 victory in the third set. After falling behind 6-3 in the fourth set, the U.S. came back to take a 9-7 lead and used a key 6-0 run late to take a 23-15 advantage in route to a 25-17 victory.

Gibbemeyer tallied her 22 points with 11 blocks, nine kills on 12 errorless attacks and two aces. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) picked up 10 kills on 15 attacks and two blocks for 12 points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) contributed nine points off the bench with eight kills on 14 swings, while Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) had a matching nine points with eight kills on 14 attacks from her opposite position. Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, Calif.) chipped in four blocks as part of an eight-point performance. Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.) scored five points off the bench with four kills on five attacks, while Keao Burdine (Pico Rivera, Calif.) and Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) added two points each.

Lloyd provided 17 running sets on 73 assist attempts in the victory. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) tallied a team-high five digs and added seven excellent receptions.

Reed Sunahara (Cincinnati, Ohio), who is serving as the head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team competing at the Pan American Cup, started Burdine and Lichtman at outside hitter, Paolini and Gibbemeyer at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Lloyd at setter. Banwarth is the designated libero for the tournament. Richards and Tamas started the last three sets in place of Burdine and Paolini. Metcalf was a sub in the first two sets, then started in place of Fawcett in the third and fourth sets. Stacy Sykora, the captain for the team at the Pan American Cup, was a sub in the third set.

“It is always good to win,” Sykora said. “This was a positive thing. We faced a great team that showed good service and went so far. They are a great team now and I am sure they will be great in the future.”

The U.S. out-blocked Colombia 20-4 and held a 52-46 margin in kills. Team USA converted 55.3 percent of its attacks as part of a .426 hitting efficiency. Colombia produced a 40.7 kill percent, but only a .239 hitting efficiency with 19 attack faults. The Americans limited their errors to 11 after the first set for a total of 22 for the match as Colombia had 25 errors. Colombia led 6-3 in aces.

“When we watched them playing better I thought we had to stop them,” Sunahara said. “We couldn’t in the first set. They showed good execution and had momentum. Our players woke up and started doing things correctly.”

Diana Arrechea tallied 20 points for Colombia, while its captain Lorena Zuleta added 14 points.

Courtesy of NORCECA

Courtesy of NORCECA

88

U.S. WOMEN RALLY PAST DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO WIN PAN AM POOL

USA ...................................... 24 24 25 25 15 Dominican Republic .............. 26 26 15 22 12

JUAREZ, Mexico (July 16, 2012) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team rallied past Dominican Republic 24-26, 24-26, 25-15, 25-22, 15-12 to win Pool A of the Pan American Cup on July 16at Juarez, Mexico.

The U.S. concluded Pool A with a 4-1 record and 18 points, the same as Cuba. However, Team USA won the tiebreaker of point quotient with a 1.227 mark compared to Cuba’s 1.118. By winning Pool A, the Americans advance directly into the semifinals and qualify for the 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix. To view video live stream, visit norceca.net.

Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) led the U.S. with a match-high 28 points with 23 kills, four blocks and an ace. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) added 21 points via 18 kills and three blocks. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) contributed nine kills, five blocks and an ace for 15 points. Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.) tacked on five kills and four blocks for nine points. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) collected six points all on kills, while Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with a block.

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) tallied 12 digs and 33 excellent receptions on 48 attempts.

“Dominican Republic is one of the strongest teams in the world and we are happy to get the victory,” said Sykora, who is serving as the captain of the U.S. squad. “But we had to put this one in the past because the tournament is still going and we need to see the future.”

Reed Sunahara (Cincinnati, Ohio), who is serving as the head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team competing at the Pan American Cup, started Richards and Lichtman at outside hitter, Tamas and Gibbemeyer at middle blocker, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) is the designated libero for the tournament. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) was a sub in all but the third set, while Keao Burdine (Pico Rivera, Calif.) was a sub in the second and third sets. Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) was a sub in the fifth set.

“The result could have gone either way,” Sunahara stated. “It was a very intense match and I am proud of my team for not giving up and coming back from 0-2.”

The U.S. out-blocked Bulgaria 17-14 and took advantage of 33 Dominican Republic errors while holding its miscues to 17 for the match. Dominican Republic held a slim 4-2 lead in aces and 66-61 edge in kills.

Dominican Republic was led by Bethania De La Cruz’s 22 points and Gina Altagracia Mambru added 21 points.

2012 U.S. Women's National Team Match CapsulesTEAM USA TOPS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO REACH PAN AM CUP FINALS

USA ...................................... 25 26 24 25 Dominican Republic .............. 20 24 26 16

JUAREZ, Mexico (July 19, 2012) – Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) collected 25 points as U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team defeated Dominican Republic 25-20, 26-24, 24-26, 25-16 on July 19 during the Pan American Cup semifinal round played at Juarez, Mexico.

The U.S. Women will now face defending Pan American Cup champion Brazil in the gold-medal match on Friday evening. The Americans were facing Dominican Republic for the third straight time in the Pan American Cup semifinals, having lost in 2010 and 2011. Team USA rallied to defeat Dominican Republic 3-2 in the final pool match on July 16 after losing the first two sets to claim the group’s top place and advance directly to the semifinal round.

Both teams are qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games that begin on July 28, but the U.S. is competing at the Pan American Cup without any of its expected 2012 Olympic Games roster. In contrast, Dominican Republic brought nearly its entire Olympic Games roster to the Pan American Cup.

The U.S. has not won the Pan American Cup gold medal since 2003, which was followed in 2004 by the silver. Team USA has defeated Cuba in the last two Pan American Cup bronze-medal matches in 2010 and 2011.

The U.S. built an 18-12 lead in the opening set and withstood a late Dominican Republic charge to win 25-20 by scoring five of the final six points. Dominican Republic rallied from a 20-17 deficit to tie the second set 22-all, but the Americans never relinquished the lead with a 26-24 victory. Dominican Republic used a 4-0 run to take a 20-17 lead in the third set, but had to score the final two points of the set for a 26-24 victory after the U.S. saved three set points. The third set witnessed 15 ties and five lead changes. Team USA put together a 13-4 run to take a commanding 22-12 advantage in the fourth set en route to winning 25-16.

Metcalf tallied her 25 points on 21 kills and four blocks. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) contributed 18 kills, one block and one ace for 20 points. Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.) charted a match-high five blocks with five aces for 10 points, while Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) also reached 10 points with six kills, two blocks and two aces. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) tacked on four blocks and a kill for five points. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with two kills.

Kayla Banwarth tallied nine digs and 19 excellent receptions on 28 attempts to lead the back-row defense. Glass chipped in 36 running sets on 113 set attempts leading the U.S. to a 38.7 kill percent and .255 hitting efficiency (53-18-137).

Reed Sunahara, the head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team at the Pan American Cup, started Richards and Lichtman at outside hitter, Tamas and Gibbemeyer at middle blocker, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is designated libero for the tournament. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) were subs in the second and third sets, while Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, Calif.) came off the bench in the third set.

“It was another tough battle with Dominican Republic,” Sunahara said. “We are happy with the victory for this team that I am sure has some future Olympians in four years. I wish Dominican Republic the best in the Olympics.”

Team USA out-blocked Dominican Republic 16-10 and took advantage of 28 errors from the losing team. The Americans held a slight 53-50 edge in kills while Dominican Republic managed a 4-3 margin in aces. The U.S. defense limited Dominican Republic to a 34.0 kill percent and .184 hitting efficiency (50-23-147).

“USA and Dominican Republic always play tough matches and today was not different,” USA’s captain Stacy Sykora said. “They are one of the strongest teams in the world. We are happy with the victory, but have to put it in the past and focus on the future.”

Courtesy of NORCECA

Courtesy of NORCECA

89

U.S. WOMEN RALLY PAST BRAZIL TO WIN PAN AMERICAN CUP

USA ...................................... 28 18 25 25 15 Brazil .................................... 30 25 22 21 11

JUAREZ, Mexico (July 20, 2012) –The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team rallied from two sets down and 9-7 in the fifth set to defeat Brazil 28-30, 18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-11 on July 20 in the Pan American Cup gold-medal match in Juarez, Mexico.

Team USA won its first Pan American Cup gold medal since 2003, which was followed in 2004 by the silver. Brazil was going for its fourth Pan Am Cup title, but settled for its third silver medal.

Overall, the U.S. is now 23-1 during the 2012 season.

Brazil saved four set points in the opening set and took a 30-28 victory after rallying from an early 8-4 deficit. Brazil used a 12-4 scoring spurt to take an 18-11 lead in the second set and benefited from nine American errors in taking the 25-18 victory. Team USA built an 11-6 lead in the third set and fended off the late Brazil charges to win 25-22. The

Americans knotted the match at two sets each by scoring five unanswered points to come back from a 19-18 deficit in the fourth set to win 25-21. Team USA rallied from a 9-7 deficit in the fifth set and scored the final five points to secure the 15-11 victory.

Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah), the most valuable player of the tournament, scored a Team USA season-high 35 points with 32 kills, two aces and a block. Richards also pulled in the Best Scorer award with 128 points in seven matches for an 18.28 per match average. Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.) tacked on nine kills and five blocks for 14 points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) contributed 10 kills and a block for 11 points. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) came off the bench to notch eight kills, while while Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) charted seven kills and an ace for eight points in a reserve role. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) added three kills and two blocks for five points, while Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) totaled two kills, one block and one ace for four points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with a block.

Glass produced 15 running sets on 140 set attempts as the Americans converted 38.6 percent of its attacks with a .266 hitting efficiency (71-22-184). Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) tallied a team-high six digs. Lichtman charted 11 excellent receptions on 43 attempts, while Richards added nine excellent receptions on 36 attempts and five digs.

Reed Sunahara, the head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team at the Pan American Cup, started Richards and Lichtman at outside hitter, Tamas and Gibbemeyer at middle blocker, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is designated libero for the tournament. Fawcett was a sub in the first two sets before starting the final three sets, while Paolini subbed into the match in the second set and started the final three sets. Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, Calif.) was a sub in the first two sets, while Keao Burdine (Pico Rivera, Calif.) was a reserve in the fourth set. Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) made an appearance on the service line in the fifth set.

“A victory is always great, and actually this is the first time in 12 years we have a victory against Brazil (to end my season),” Sykora said. “Every four years when I finished my season, I lost against a Brazilian team. This was a very young team, but with great talent and a great future.”

“I feel happy,” Sunahara said. “It is a fun team. They showed it all tournament and never gave up. We lost against Cuba and came back against Dominican Republic two times. They kept playing and kept playing. The ball was moving on our side.”

Brazil out-blocked Team USA 17-11 and managed a 36-17 advantage in digs, but the Americans held a 71-65 margin in kills and took advantage of 25 Brazilian errors. Brazil converted 35.1 percent of its attacks into points with a .227 hitting efficiency (65-23-185). Both teams had four aces in the five-set match.

Brazil had a pair of players reach 20-plus points with Joyce Silva leading the way with 25 points and Priscila Daroit with 23 points. Gabriela Braga Guimaraes chipped in 18 points in the loss.

2012 U.S. Women's National Team Match Capsules

Courtesy of NORCECA

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(Left) Foluke Akinradewo takes a swing against Korea. (Right) Destinee Hooker (19) and Foluke Akinradewo (16) put up a block against Korea as Nicole Davis (6) is ready for a dig attempt. (FIVB photos)

USA fans showed their support. (FIVB photo)

Logan Tom (center facing) is all smiles surrounded by her teammates after defeating Korea in the Olympic opener. (FIVB photo)

Team USA photo for the 2012 Olympic Games. (FIVB photo)

7/28 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 20 25

KOR 19 17 25 21

U.S. Women Block Korea in Olympic Opener

LONDON (July 28, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team started its 2012 Olympic Games campaign by defeating Korea 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21 with a 15-1 block advantage on July 28 at Earls Court in London.

The U.S. came back from a 9-8 first set deficit with a 7-0 scoring run to establish a 15-9 advantage and went on to win 25-19 with a 5-1 block margin. Team USA steadily pulled away to a 14-9 lead in the second set and closed out the stanza on a 7-3 run and 25-17 victory. Korea rallied from a 10-6 deficit with an 8-1 scoring run to establish a 14-11 lead and went on to win 25-20 by taking seven of the final 10 points. Team USA pulled away from a slim 15-14 advantage in the fourth set with a 7-1 scoring run to take a 22-15, but needed to hold off Korea down the stretch for a 25-21 victory.

First-time Olympians Destinee Hooker, Jordan Larsonand Foluke Akinradewo carried much of the offense weight for Team USA in their first Olympic match. Hooker provided a team-high 21 points with 19 kills on 42 attacks and two blocks. Larson chipped in 16 points via 14 kills on 33 attacks, one block and one ace. Akinradewo contributed nine kills on 17 attempts to go with a match-high six blocks for 15 points.

Christa Harmotto, another first-time Olympian in her first Olympic Games match, tacked on six kills on eight swings, three blocks and an ace for 10 points. Logan Tom, competing in her fourth Olympic Games, totaled nine points on eight kills and a block. Tayyiba Haneef-Park charted three points including two kills off the bench. Lindsey Berg rounded out the scoring with a kill. Both Haneef-Park and Berg are playing in their third Olympics.

“I was definitely nervous,” Larson said of her first Olympic Games contest. “But it was fun to go out there and compete in front of a large crowd was great. Playing at the Qwest Center in Omaha certainly helped. We have been here training all last week and it was good to finally put someone else on the other side of the net to play.”

Berg provided 40 running sets on 95 assist attempts in pacing the U.S. offense to a 41.1 kill percent and .312 hitting efficiency (58-14-141). Nicole Davis, back for her second Olympics, tallied 16 digs and 15 excellent receptions on 22 errorless attempts. Larson tallied 21 excellent receptions on 25 attempts and nine digs on the back-row, while Hooker added nine digs. Tom was credited with 20 excellent receptions on 24 errorless attempts to go with eight digs.

McCutcheon started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis is the designated libero for the tournament. Haneef-Park, Courtney Thompson and Tamari Miyashiro were subs in all four sets.

“We have beaten a tough and fast team and I am really happy for that, especially for those players who were celebrating their debut at the Olympics,” said Berg, the U.S. captain. “I think that Jordan (Larson) and Destinee (Hooker) played superbly, but you know, they are so composed when they step out on the court that I even do not realize that this is their first time in the Olympic Games. They just look and appear like real vets. We have a day off to rest and regroup and get ready for the next match.”

In addition to hold a commanding 15-1 margin in blocks, the U.S. edged Korea in aces 2-1. Korea was held to a 35.3 kill percent and .186 hitting efficiency as it committed 28 faults on attacks (15 blocks, 13 errors). Korea managed a 61-50 margin in digs and its excellent reception efficiency was slightly higher at 77.4 to 76.7 over the U.S.

Korea was paced in scoring by standout Yeon-Koung Kim’s 29 points that included 27 kills on a match-high 63 swings. Song-Yi Han and Youn-Joo Hwang each added 12 points in the loss.

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Destinee Hooker hits past the Korea block in her Olympic Games debut match. (FIVB photo)

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Jordan Larson hits off the Brazil block. (FIVB photo)

Foluke Akinradewo (16) towers for a block. (FIVB photo)

(L-R) Nicole Davis, Jordan Larson, Logan Tom, Foluke Akinradewo and Destinee Hooker celebrate match point versus Brazil. (FIVB photo)

7/30 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 22 25

BRA 18 17 25 21

U.S. Women Down Brazil in Key Pool B Match

LONDON (July 30, 2012) – In the much anticipated Olympic Games Pool B match, the No. 1 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team defeated No. 2 Brazil 25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21 on July 30 at Earls Court in London.

The U.S., now 2-0 with six points in Pool B, continues Pool B competition on Aug. 1 versus No. 3 China (2-0, 6 points) at 8 p.m. local time (noon PT). Brazil is now 1-1 with two points.

Team USA has now won the last six matches against Brazil, including twice in the recent 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix, once in the 2011 FIVB World Cup and in the final of the 2011 FIVB World Grand Prix.

The U.S. rallied from a 10-8 deficit in the first set with a 6-1 scoring to take a 14-11 advantage as the Americans finished off the set 25-18 with five of the final six points. After Brazil held an early 2-1 lead in the second set, Team USA erupted for a 16-7 lead by the second technical timeout and cruised to a 25-17 victory. The Americans produced a .460 hitting efficiency in the second set to the Brazilians’ .243. The U.S. battled back from an 8-3 lead in the third set to take a 16-15 lead, but Brazil scored four of the final five points for a 25-22 victory. Team USA built a 9-5 lead in the fourth set and maintained at least a two-point advantage the rest of the way for a 25-21 victory.

Team USA first-time Olympian Destinee Hooker scored a match-high 23 points with 22 kills on 45 swings and a block. Jordan Larson, also a first-time Olympian, contributed 18 points with 16 kills on 36 attacks and two blocks. Four-time Olympian Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) charted 12 points, all on kills from 27 attacks with just one error.

“There were some ups and downs, but we played really well,” Larson said. “We had a tough start, but we found our rhythm. Brazil is always a battle, but we came strong for the win.”

“As a team we played well and improved from the first match,” Tom said. “Brazil is good technically and is fiery, so when they got ahead it was hard to catch up.”

Foluke Akinradewo tacked on nine kills on 19 swings, while Christa Harmotto chipped in five points with four kills on attacks and a block. Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) rounded out the scoring with three kills on six attacks.

Nicole Davis paced the defense with 18 digs and a team-high 23 excellent receptions on 33 attempts. Berg, who had 14 digs, set the offense to a 46.2 kill percent and .350 hitting efficiency (66-16-143). Tom added 18 excellent receptions on 23 attempts and 13 digs, while Larson recorded 12 digs.

U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis is the designated libero for the tournament. Tamari Miyashiro =was a serving sub in all four sets, while Tayyiba Haneef-Park was a sub in all but the second set. Courtney Thompson was a sub in the first and third sets.

Brazil held advantages in blocks (7-4) and aces (3-0), but had 12 fewer kills than the Americans (66-54). Further, the Team USA defense held Brazil to a .269 hitting efficiency (54-15-145). The Americans held a 71-55 margin in digs and produced a higher service reception percent (74.6 to 71.6).

Brazil’s Sheilla Castro led her team with 15 points, while Thaisa Menezes added 11 points. Both Fabiana Claudino and Paula Pequeno tallied 10 points each.

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Christa Harmotto (13) eyes the block with support from Destinee Hooker (19) at the net and Foluke Akinradewo in the back row. (FIVB photo)

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Foluke Akinradewo hits over the top of the China block. (FIVB photo)

Destinee Hooker (19), Christa Harmotto (13) and Megan Hodge form a triple block against the China attack. (FIVB photo)

(Left) Destinee Hooker celebrates a point versus China. (Right) Christa Har-motto attacks the China defense. (FIVB photos)

8/1 1 2 3 4 5

USA 26 25 31

CHN 24 16 29

Team Effort Propels U.S. Women to 3-0, Sweep of No. 3 China

LONDON (Aug. 1, 2012) – Destinee Hooker scored 22 points to lead the No. 1 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team to a 26-24, 25-16, 31-29 victory over No. 3 China on Aug. 1 at Earls court in a battle of unbeaten Olympic Games Pool B squads in London.

While Hooker provided a team-high in scoring for the third straight match, the U.S. used two key sparks off the bench coming in the form of its oldest player – five-time Olympian Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) at age 39, and its youngest player – first-time Olympian Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) at age 23. The duo combined for 25 points off the bench.

“I am so proud of my team,” said Lindsey Berg, the captain of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team. “It took all 12 of us tonight to beat a very good China team and it will take all 12 of us throughout the tournament.”

The U.S., which had its 15-11 lead disappear in the opening set, battled back from a 23-20 deficit to capture the set 26-24. Team USA rallied from an 11-7 deficit using a 12-2 scoring run sparked by Scott-Arruda and Hodge leading to a 25-16 victory. The pair combined for 11 points in the set, mostly in the key scoring run. Similar to the second set, the U.S. allowed a 15-12 advantage in the third set disappear and fell behind 23-21 before rallying for the 31-29 victory with five late kills Hodge. Team USA saved one set point in the third set and finished off the contest on its sixth match point.

Hooker collected her 22 points via 17 kills on 40 attacks, three blocks and two aces. Hodge, seeing her first significant action of the Olympics, provided 18 kills on 27 attacks off the bench. Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) charted 10 points with eight kills on 11 errorless attacks and two blocks. Logan Tom added five kills, two blocks and two aces for nine points.

Scott-Arruda sparked the Americans in the second set and finished with seven points with five kills on six attacks and two blocks. Jordan Larson and Christa Harmotto rounded out the scoring with two points each.

“It was such a blessing to come off the bench and play well,” Scott-Arruda said. “It feels good because my teammates support me, we all train hard together. I just love the composure of our team in difficult situations. We have depth in every position. Everyone played an important part.”

Nicole Davis provided 18 digs in the victory and added 10 excellent receptions on 14 attempts. Hodge added 15 excellent receptions on 18 attempts for a well-rounded match. Berg turned in 45 running sets on 91 attempts leading to a 47.1 kill percent and .336 hitting efficiency (56-16-119).

“We’ve been down (in sets) many times this season and for many teams when this happens you start to worry and don’t concentrate, but we just tried and take each moment at a time and stay calm,” Akinradewo said.

Team USA started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis is the designated libero for the tournament. Hodge came into the match late in the first set and started the final two sets in place of Larson. Scott-Arruda came into the match early in the second set for Harmotto and started the third set. Tamari Miyashiro was a serving sub in the first and third sets, while the double-switch of Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) and Tayyiba Haneef-Park came on in the third set.

Team USA held a slim 10-8 margin in blocks and over-powered China in spikes at 56-43. The U.S. limited China to a .224 hitting efficiency (43-17-116) for the match. Both teams served four aces in the match.

China’s Chunlei Zeng tallied 10 points in the loss, while Jinling Chu added nine points.

Team USA has a lot to smile about against China. (FIVB photo)

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Lindsey Berg (4) sets five-time Olympian Danielle Scott-Arruda, who sparked Team USA off the bench against China. (FIVB photo)

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Megan Hodge (front left) and Christa Harmotto (back left) block a Serbia attack. (FIVB photo)

Foluke Akinradewo attacks off the set from Lindsey Berg. (FIVB photo)

Team USA poses after victory against Serbia. (FIVB photos)

8/3 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

SRB 17 20 16

U.S. Women Clinch Olympic Pool B with Win Over Serbia

LONDON (Aug. 3, 2012) – Destinee Hooker scored a match-high 19 points in leading the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team to a 25-17, 25-20, 25-16 victory over Serbia on Aug. 3 to clinch the top spot in Pool B of the Olympic Games being held in London.

The Americans took advantage of 10 Serbian errors in the opening set to come back from a 6-3 deficit using a 13-3 scoring for a 16-9 lead before settling in on a 25-17 victory. The U.S. came back from an 8-7 deficit to reach a 12-9 advantage on a 5-1 run that propelled the Americans to a 25-20 victory. Team USA rocketed to a 9-1 advantage in the third set and cruised to the 25-16 victory that clinched the Pool B top spot.

“We are very happy with the win as Serbia is a dangerous team,” U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “From our history with them, we know they are a tough team.”

Hooker reached her 19 points with 12 kills on 21 attempts in addition to a match-high six blocks and an ace. Logan Tom picked up 12 points with 10 kills on 18 attacks and two blocks. Foluke Akinradewo charted six kills on 14 attacks and five blocks for 11 points.

Jordan Larson came off the bench for six points including five kills on 12 attacks and an ace. Christa Harmotto tacked on three kills on six swings and a block for four points. Danielle Scott-Arruda pocketed three kills on four attacks and a block for four points. Lindsey Berg added a kill and ace for two points. Megan Hodge rounded out the scoring with a kill.

Berg set the U.S. offense to a 47.1 kill percent and .356 hitting efficiency (41-10-87) with 32 running sets on 58 assist attempts. Nicole Davis collected a team-high nine digs and added seven excellent receptions on eight errorless chances. Larson provided 10 excellent receptions on 19 errorless chances.

“It’s amazing that we’re through and have won the group but we have another chance on Saturday to get better as a team,” Berg said. “I like the momentum we have going. We will approach our match with Turkey just like any other match, that as a chance to learn and get better.”

McCutcheon started Tom and Hodge at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis is the designated U.S. libero for the Olympic Games. Larson and Scott-Arruda subbed into the second set and started the third set in place of Hodge and Harmotto, respectively. Courtney Thompson and Haneef-Park were subs in the first two sets as part of a double-sub. Tamari Miyashiro was a serving sub in the third set.

The U.S. limited Serbia to 39.2 kill percent and .147 hitting efficiency as it committed 25 attack errors (40-25-102). Team USA won the defensive battle as well with a 15-3 block advantage and a 25-22 edge in digs. The U.S. out-served Serbia 3-1 and committed just one service error for the match.

“We just need to be consistent, make fewer errors and play the USA Volleyball way,” Akinradewo said on the team’s success and moving forward the rest of the tournament. “Team chemistry is important. Regardless of the sport, the team is the most important thing, and this group we have right now is amazing.”

Brankica Mihajlovic totaled 13 points to lead Serbia, while Jovana Brakocevic and Milena Rasic added eight points each.

(Left) Destinee Hooker attacks through the Serbia block. (Right) Megan Hodge passess versus Serbia. (FIVB photos)

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Hugh McCutcheon pumps his fist in celebration of a point. (FIVB photo)

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Destinee Hooker (left) and Foluke Akinradewo (right). (FIVB photo)

Nicole Davis passes versus Turkey. (FIVB photo)

Team USA poses after victory against Serbia. (FIVB photos)

8/5 1 2 3 4 5

USA 27 25 25

TUR 25 16 19

U.S. Women Sweep Pool B with Win Over Turkey

LONDON (Aug. 5, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team started slow and finished strong to defeat Turkey 27-25, 25-16, 25-19 on Aug. 5 to finish the Olympic Games Pool B undefeated in London.

Team USA, which had already sewn up the top seed in the pool regardless of the outcome with Turkey, concludes Pool B with 15 points and a 5-0 record. Turkey, ranked eighth in the world, finished Pool B with a six points and a 2-3 record. Turkey needed to win to assure a spot in the quarterfinals. After Brazil (7 points, 3-2) defeated Serbia (0 points, 0-5) in straight sets to conclude all group play, Turkey was eliminated and the defending Olympic Games champion gained the last spot into the quarterfinals.

Team USA dug itself out of a 13-7 deficit in the opening set to Turkey with an 11-3 scoring spurt to take a 17-16 lead, but had to save two set points before winning 27-25. The Americans used six blocks and only two errors to fuel the comeback. The U.S. ran off five straight points to take a commanding 19-12 lead in the second set and finished it 25-16 on four unanswered points. Team USA erupted for an 8-3 lead early in the third set and continued to push hard through the set to finish the match 25-19.

“To me one of the important characteristics of a great team is how they perform when there is nothing on the line,” U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “I thought our team really honored the moment of competition tonight. Like the true Olympians they are, they came and battled tonight. I am really proud of that and happy with the performance. I think we even got a little better tonight in a few areas. That is what we are always trying to do with each match – get better.”

Destinee Hooker led the U.S. with a match-high 19 points via 17 kills on 38 attacks and two blocks. Foluke Akinradewo chipped in nine kills on 12 attacks, five blocks and an ace for 15 points. Christa Harmotto totaled nine points with six kills on 12 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Jordan Larson pocketed nine points with eight kills and a block. Logan Tom turned in five kills and a block for six points. Lindsey Berg rounded out the scoring with one kill.

Berg provided 24 running sets and Courtney Thompson added 11 running sets mainly in the third set replacing Berg. Nicole Davis contributed 11 excellent receptions on 14 attempts to go with five digs. Larson added a team-high 11 digs and 11 excellent receptions on 16 errorless chances. Tom charted a team-high 17 excellent receptions on 26 attempts aside from nine digs.

“We played for ourselves,” Berg said in regards to having already qualified as the top seed into the quarterfinals regardless of tonight’s match. “We didn’t want to dilly-dally because there would be no benefit in that. We needed to keep in our rhythm.”

McCutcheon started Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Berg at setter and Hooker at opposite. Davis is the designated U.S. libero for the Olympics. Thompson and Tamari Miyashiro were subs in all three sets, while Tayyiba Haneef-Park came off the bench in the first two sets.

Team USA held an 11-6 margin in blocks and a 46-42 advantage in kills. The Americans limited their errors to nine for the entire match and benefited from 18 Turkey errors. The U.S. converted 43.0 percent of its attacks with a .336 hitting efficiency (46-10-107). Turkey converted just 33.6 percent of its attacks with a .160 hitting efficiency (42-22-125). Turkey managed a 48-40 advantage in digs, but only a 62.7 excellent service reception percent.

(Left) Nicole Davis reacts to a point. (Right) Lindsey Berg sets the United States offense. (FIVB photos)

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Jordan Larson hits over the Turkish block. (FIVB photo)

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Destinee Hooker muscles down an attack for a point. (FIVB photo)

Courtney Thompson (foreground) receives a congratulatory hug from assistant coach Paula Weishoff. (FIVB photos)

8/7 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

DOM 14 21 22

U.S. Women Blank Dominican Republic to Reach Semifinals

LONDON (Aug. 7, 2012) – The top-ranked U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team advanced to the 2012 Olympic Games semifinal round for the fourth straight time with a 25-14, 25-21, 25-22 victory over NORCECA rival Dominican Republic in the knockout quarterfinal round on Aug. 7 at Earls Court in London.

The U.S. Women, which is 6-0 at the 2012 London Games and 29-1 overall this year, will now face Korea on Thursday at 3 p.m. local time (7 a.m. PT).

Team USA bolted an 11-2 lead in the opening set and used seven blocks to win 25-14. The U.S. rattled off a 6-0 run to overcome a 10-8 deficit in the second set and proceeded to a 25-21 victory. The Americans put together an 8-1 spurt in the third set to take a 13-7 advantage and held on for a 25-22 victory after a late Dominican Republic charge.

“I am very happy with the win tonight against the Dominican Republic,” U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “Dominican Republic is a tough team because they have a lot of athleticism and experience. Now our focus will turn to our next opponent.”

Destinee Hooker ignited the U.S. offense with 19 points via 15 kills on 38 attacks and four blocks. Foluke Akinradewo added 10 kills on 13 errorless attacks and a block. Jordan Larson charted nine kills and two blocks for 11 points. Christa Harmotto contributed five kills on 10 swings and two blocks for seven points. Logan Tom tallied four kills and an ace for five points. Courtney Thompson, who received her first Olympic Games start, rounded out the scoring with a block and ace for two points.

Nicole Davis recorded 16 excellent receptions on 18 errorless attempts to go with 12 digs. Tom added 14 digs to lead the back-row defense and added 11 excellent receptions. Larson provided 11 digs in the victory. Thompson ran the offense to a 43.0 kill percent and .360 hitting efficiency (43-7-100) with 34 running sets.

The U.S. used a starting lineup void of its captain and starting setter in Lindsey Berg, but she and McCutcheon are hoping for a return later in the tournament. However, both expressed confidence in Thompson’s ability to run the offense.

“It’s day-to-day,” McCutcheon said on Berg’s status. “I thought Courtney did a great job. I don’t think we missed too many beats tonight.”

“I am still optimistic,” McCutcheon said in regards to Lindsey Berg’s return to the lineup as its setter. “I am very happy for Courtney (Thompson) and her play tonight.”

McCutcheon started Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Hooker at opposite and Thompson at setter. Davis is the U.S. designated libero for the 2012 Olympic Games. Tayyiba Haneef-Park and Tamari Miyashiro were subs in all three sets.

Team USA controlled the net with an 11-2 advantage in blocks and held its errors to just nine for the match. Meanwhile, Dominican Republic held slim margins of 44-43 advantage in kills and 50-49 in digs, but committed 19 errors in the match. For the match, Dominican Republic converted 40.0 percent of its attacks into points, but 18 attack errors produced a .236 hitting efficiency. Both teams served two aces.

Prisiclla Rivera led the Dominican Republic with 15 points and Bethania de la Cruz totaled 12 points in the loss.

(Left) Destinee Hooker (19) and Foluke Akinradewo stuff a Dominican Republic attack. (Right) Jordan Larson (10) attacks with Nicole Davis ready for the cover. (FIVB photos)

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Courtney Thompson (17) got the start in the quarterfinal round leading to a U.S. sweep of Dominican Republic. (FIVB photo)

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The many faces of joy as the U.S. wins its semifinal match. (FIVB photo)

(Left) The U.S. coaching staff celebrates the win as the team celebrates on the court. (Right) Megan Hodge embraces Logan Tom. (FIVB photos)

8/9 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 25 25

KOR 20 22 22

U.S. Women to Compete for Gold After Semifinal Win over Korea

LONDON (Aug. 9, 2012) – Destinee Hooker scored a match-high 24 points to help the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, ranked No. 1 in the world, advance to the Olympic Games gold-medal match for the second straight time with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 victory over No. 15 Korea on Aug. 9 in the semifinal round at Earls Court in London.

The U.S. used a 6-0 run to come back from a 16-15 deficit in the opening set to win 25-20 as the Americans out-blocked the Koreans 6-0. Hooker scored four of her eight points in the second set after the U.S. trailed 20-17 and came back to win 25-22 by scoring eight of the final 10 points. The U.S. held a 13-7 lead in the third set, but Korea came back to tie the set at 18-all to it interesting down the stretch. However, Team USA closed out the set with a 4-1 run and 25-22 victory.

“Korea is a tough team,” U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “We have said this from the beginning press conference. I thought our team battled and needed to battle to win tonight. They create a lot of troubles with good serving, defense and of their offense is tough to stop. They were good at exploiting some of our weaknesses, but luckily we were able to make some adjustments. Our athletes played with a lot of heart, and I am really proud of our team and how they competed.”

Hooker tallied her 24 points with 21 kills on 33 attacks and only one error, along with three blocks. After the match she felt an added energy from the crowd as the team came out onto the court. Jordan Larson charted 14 points with 10 kills on 23 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Foluke Akinradewo added 12 points on eight kills via 10 attacks and two aces. Logan Tom provided six kills, a block and an ace for eight points. Christa Harmotto totaled three kills on four attacks and two blocks for five points. Tayyiba Haneef-Park tacked on two kills and Lindsey Berg round out the scoring with an ace.

“I think we came out a little bit tight to tell you the truth,” said Logan Tom, a four-time Olympian. “We made some errors. We weren’t moving very well. We didn’t have our usual rhythm. I think we just picked it up. We needed a little bit of time to get accustomed to it. I think we do a really good job when it comes to that. I get nervous when I don’t have a match like that.”

Berg, who missed the quarterfinal round victory over Dominican Republic due to injury, set the Team USA offense to a 52.6 kill percent and .400 hitting efficiency in her return to the starting lineup.

“I thought (Lindsey) did a great job tonight,” McCutcheon said. “We were very happy with her performance. Of course there were doubts (on whether she would play). She was hurt. We will evaluate tonight and see how she looks and maybe even see how she is tomorrow. She ran around a little last night and it looked promising.”

“I feel amazing,” Berg said after the match. “My team helped me out a lot and I didn’t have to run around. I feel way better than I expected. I am just going to give it my all. If I can’t walk after Saturday’s match, I don’t care.”

Nicole Davis tallied a team-high 10 digs and added 11 excellent receptions. Larson picked up a team-high 17 excellent receptions to go with five digs.

McCutcheon started Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis is the U.S. designated libero for the Olympics. Tamari Miyashiro was a sub in all three sets, while Haneef-Park and Courtney Thompson were subs in the last two sets as part of a double-switch.

Team USA held an 11-5 margin in blocks over Korea, along with a 5-3 edge in aces. The American defense limited Korea to a .270 hitting efficiency.

(Left) Lindsey Berg sets versus Korea. (Right) Logan Tom hits pasts the Korea defense. (FIVB photos)

The U.S. breaks the huddle after advancing to the title match with a straight set win over Korea. (FIVB photo)

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Christa Harmotto (front) and Tayyiba Haneef-Park (back) form a blocking wall against Korea. (FIVB photo)

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Logan Tom finds the hole in the Brazil block. (FIVB photo)

Hugh McCutcheon (left) and Lindsey Berg (right) at the post-match press conference. (FIVB photo)

8/11 1 2 3 4 5

USA 25 17 20 17

BRA 11 25 25 25

U.S. Women Finish Olympics with Silver Medal

LONDON (Aug. 11, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team fell one victory shy of winning its first-ever Olympic Games gold-medal for the second quadrennial in a row in an 11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17 loss to No. 2 Brazil on Aust. 11 in the title match at Earls Court in London.

The U.S. Women finished the Olympics with a 7-1 record and 30-2 record in 2012. Brazil, which was on the verge of not qualifying for the quarterfinals heading into the final pool day, finished with a 6-2 record in defending its 2008 Olympic Games title in a gold-medal rematch with the U.S.

The U.S. bolted to an early 7-2 lead in the opening set and never let up in a 25-11 victory. U.S. captain Lindsey Berg, who has announced her intentions to retire after the Olympics, had service runs of 6-0 and 5-0 in the set.Team USA came back from an 11-6 deficit in the second set to tie the score at 12-all, but Brazil responded with a 6-0 run en route to a 25-17 victory and controlled the rest of the match. Brazil reached a 14-9 lead in the third set and never allowed the U.S. closer than two points the rest of the way for a 25-20 victory.

“I think they made less errors,” four-time U.S. Olympian Logan Tom said. “Their serving picked up. We couldn’t really run a sideout as well as we usually can, just passing. We just had a little bit of trouble in that area so they just got a string of points. It’s always hard to come back in volleyball, especially against a good team when they get ahead of you.”

“I’m very proud of this team,” U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “We didn’t get the result we wanted. It’s the way it goes. That’s life. Kudos to Brazil, but I’m still proud of my team. You can’t always get the gold, but you have to look at what you do to try and achieve it an we tried our best.”

Tom scored 11 kills and three blocks for 14 points. Destinee Hooker collected 13 kills and an ace for 14 points. Foluke Akinradewo chipped in eight kills and three blocks for 11 points. Megan Hodge tallied six points on four kills, one block and one ace. Christa Harmotto charted three kills and a block for four points. Jordan Larson added four kills while Berg totaled two points. Danielle Scott-Arruda and Tayyiba Haneef-Park rounded out the scoring with a point each. Nicole Davis, Tom and Hooker all recorded nine digs. Berg handled 35 running sets in the loss.

“I’m happy with it,” Tom said of winning the silver medal. “It’s not too shabby. When you play for your country, it’s not for money or fame, it’s for your family, your pride, your country. You don’t do it to receive stuff.”

Team USA held a 9-7 block advantage and a .281 to .257 hitting efficiency, but Brazil held a sizeable 63-37 advantage in digs to keep plays alive.

“I think in sets two and three we kind of got away from each other and got on our own little islands instead of regrouping and playing as a team,” Hooker said. “They were serving hard and tough and really deep. I think our team wasn’t ready for that. We adjusted the way we could. We made a few changes and tried to step it up a notch but it just wasn’t enough. At the end of the day, it could have been worse. We could have not been on the podium at all. So I’m thankful for this honor.”

McCutcheon started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis is the U.S. designated libero for the Olympic Games. Hodge started the fourth set after subbing in the second and third sets. Scott-Arruda started the fourth set after subbing in the third set. Tamari Miyashiro was a sub in the third set.

Brazil’s Jaqueline Carvalho led all scorers with 18 points, while Sheilla Castro added 15 points.

Lindsey Berg (right) blocks a Brazil attack with Foluke Akinradewo (16) at her side. (FIVB photo)

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Logan Tom (15) blocks a Brazil attack with Foluke Akinradewo (16) providing assistance. (FIVB photo)

106

U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team

2012 Olympic Games Silver Medalists

Best Spiker: Destinee Hooker

LONDON (Aug. 11, 2012) – U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team opposite hitter Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) was selected as the Best Spiker of the 2012 Olympic Games women’s volleyball competition that concluded Saturday at Earls Court in London.

The U.S. ended the 2012 Olympic Games with its second consecutive silver medal having suffered four-set losses to Brazil in both 2008 and 2012.

Hooker converted 136 of 290 attacks into points for a .379 hitting efficiency to top the Best Spiker Category. Further, she ranked second among all players in scoring with 161 total points (136 kills, 21 blocks, 4 aces). Korea’s Kim Yeon-Koung was the tournament’s leading scorer with 207 points en route to being named most valuable player.

U.S. middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) ranked in a tie for 10th place in scoring with 95 points (67 kills, 25 blocks, 3 aces). Outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) finished with 80 points (68 kills, 9 blocks, 3 aces) for 16th place in scoring. Hooker, Akinradewo and Larson were all first-time Olympians. Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah), a four-time Olympian, ranked 20th in scoring with 75 points.

Larson ranked 10th in Best Spiker with a .291 hitting efficiency (68-17-90). Akinradewo ranked second in Best Blocker with 0.93 blocks per set,

just 0.01 behind tournament-leader Fabiana Claudino of Brazil. Hooker ranked fourth in Best Blocker with 0.78 per set.

U.S. libero Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) held a 74.3 excellent reception percent for fifth in Best Receiver and averaged 3.59 digs per set for sixth in Best Digger. Overall, she was second in Best Libero with an 8.30 average per set. Lindsey Berg (Honolulu), despite missing the quarterfinal match, ranked fourth overall in Best Setter with 9.74 running sets average.

The U.S. Women finished the tournament with a 7-1 record and 30-2 record in 2012. Brazil, which was on the verge of not qualifying for the quarterfinals heading into the final pool day, finished with a 6-2 record in defending its 2008 Olympic Games title in a gold-medal rematch with the Americans. In the process, Brazil snapped a six-match losing streak to the United States dating back to 2011.

The U.S. was playing in its third Olympic Games title match, only to have golden dreams dashed for silver in losses to Brazil at the 2008 Beijing Games and to China at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Team USA now has four overall Olympic women’s volleyball medals that include a bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

At the 2008 Olympic Games, Brazil won its first-ever women’s volleyball gold-medal over the Americans as the top seed and favorite to win, while the U.S. entered the Olympics as a dark horse to win a medal. In 2012, Team USA was the favorite to win its first-ever gold.

The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team maintained the top spot in the FIVB World Ranking despite finishing second to Brazil at the 2012 Olympic Games.

2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team with silver medals. (FIVB photo)

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The U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team members receiving their silver medals. (FIVB photo)

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2012 U.S. Olympic Women's Volleyball Team

Danielle Scott ArrudaMB * 6-2 * Baton Rouge, La.

Tayyiba Haneef-ParkOPP * 6-7 * Laguna Hills, Calif.

Lindsey BergS * 5-8 * Honolulu, Hawaii

Tamari MiyashiroL * 5-7 * Kaneohe, Hawaii

Nicole DavisL * 5-4 * Stockton, Calif.

Jordan LarsonOH * 6-2 * Hooper, Neb.

Megan HodgeOH * 6-3 * Durham, N.C.

Christa HarmottoMB * 6-2 * Hopewell Township, Pa.

Courtney ThompsonS * 5-8 * Kent, Wash.

Destinee HookerOPP * 6-4 * San Antonio, Texas

Hugh McCutcheonHead Coach

Logan TomOH * 6-1 * Salt Lake City, Utah

Foluke AkinradewoMB * 6-3 * Plantation, Fla.

Karch KiralyAssistant Coach

Paula WeishoffAssistant Coach

Jamie MorrisonAssistant Coach/Tech. Coord.

Giuseppe VinciTechnical Coordinator

Kenny SullivanTeam Manager

Marv DunphyConsultant Coach

Jill WosmekPhysiotherapist

Dr. William StetsonTeam Doctor

2 3 4 5 6

10 11 13 15 16

17 19

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2012 U.S. Olympic Women's Volleyball Team StatsCompiled with Unofficial DataVolley Statistics

Kills/ Kill Attack Total Attack Aces/ Blocks/ Digs/ Assists/ Points/ Name Sets Kills Set PCT Errors Attack Eff. Aces Set Blocks Sets Digs Set Assists Set Points SetAkinradewo 27 63 2.33 61.2 12 103 .495 3 0.11 24 0.89 16 0.59 3 0.11 90 3.33Berg 24 5 0.21 38.5 1 13 .308 2 0.08 1 0.04 53 2.21 263 10.96 8 0.33Davis 27 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 98 3.63 7 0.26 0 0.00Haneef-Park 19 4 0.21 25.0 5 16 -.063 0 0.00 2 0.11 3 0.16 0 0.00 6 0.32Harmotto 26 32 1.23 51.6 8 62 .387 2 0.08 11 0.42 10 0.38 1 0.04 45 1.73Hodge 8 24 3.00 48.0 9 50 .300 1 0.13 2 0.25 14 1.75 1 0.13 27 3.38Hooker 27 137 5.07 47.1 25 291 .385 4 0.15 21 0.78 61 2.26 4 0.15 162 6.00Larson 24 71 2.96 39.7 17 179 .302 3 0.13 10 0.42 58 2.42 9 0.38 84 3.50Miyashiro 21 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 0.05 0 0.00Scott-Arruda 6 10 1.67 71.4 1 14 .643 0 0.00 3 0.50 2 0.33 2 0.33 13 2.17Thompson 17 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 1 0.06 1 0.06 9 0.53 60 3.53 2 0.12Tom 27 62 2.30 35.6 17 174 .259 4 0.15 13 0.48 70 2.59 22 0.81 79 2.93TEAM 27 408 15.11 45.2 95 902 .347 20 0.74 88 3.26 397 14.70 373 13.81 516 19.11Opponent 27 383 14.19 39.0 157 981 .230 19 0.70 38 1.41 438 16.22 361 13.37 440 16.30

Olympic Games Pool B

July 28: USA def. Korea 29-15, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21

July 30: USA def. Brazil 25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21

Aug. 1: USA def. China 26-24, 25-16, 31-29

Aug. 3: USA def. Serbia 25-17, 25-20, 25-16

Aug. 5: USA def. Turkey 27-25, 25-16, 25-19

Olympic Games Quarterfinal

Aug. 7: USA def. Dominican Republic 25-14, 25-21, 25-22

Olympic Games Semifinal

Aug. 9: USA def. Korea 25-20, 25-22, 25-22

Olympic Games Gold-Medal Match

Aug. 11: Brazil def. USA 11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17

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Volleyball Glossary

Ace - a served ball that directly results in a point.

Bagel - winning a game 25-0.

Block - an attempt by a player or players to interrupt the ball before, as or just after it crosses the net.

Bump (Pass) - technique of playing the ball using forearms, hands together, to direct the ball.

Bump (Set) - a forearm pass used as a set.

Carry - a fault called if the ball comes to rest in the course of contact by one player.

Chickenwing - a last-ditch way to dig a ball using your elbow and a bent arm.

Court - the playing surface divided into two equal areas by a net. In its official form, volleyball is played on a rectangular court 18 meters (59 feet 0.75 inches) long and 9 meters (29 feet 6.475 inches) wide; the women’s net placed at 2.24 meters (7 feet 4.125 inches) high and the men’s net at 2.44 meters (8 feet) high.

Coverage - most often, refers to backing up a teammate’s hit when the block is up and the ball comes back.

Cross Court/Cut Shot - an offensive hit when a player, instead of hitting with power, slices the ball just over and nearly parallel to the net.

Dig Lips - defending more than once and successfully an opponent’s hard spike as if the attacker was saying beforehand where the hit was going and you read their lips.

Dig - to pass a very hard hit spike; a ball brought up (saved) with any part of the body, particularly from a spike attempt.

Dink - a very softly-hit spike; ball played just over the net or the blockers hands.

Down-Referee - secondary referee. He/she stands on the floor at the opposite end of the net as the up-referee. Also known as the second official.

Dump - when the setter, instead of setting the hitters, attacks the ball over the net.

Facial Disgracial - a spike that hits the opposing blocker or floor defender in the face.

Foot fault - stepping on the court or out of bounds before serving the ball.

Free Ball - a ball the opponent cannot attack and must yield by passing over the net.

Husband and Wife - when a serve drops untouched between two receivers who fail to move.

Joust - when two players on opposing sides attempt to block the ball by vying to push it onto each other’s side of the net.

Kill - an attack that results in an immediate point.

Paint Brush - a wipe off shot by the spiker (painter) on a blocker.

Pancake - a one-handed floor defensive technique where the hand is extended and slid along the floor, palm down, and the ball rebounds off the back of the hand, rather than the floor.

Pass - the first of three contacts on the offensive side - overhead or forearm.

Perimeter Defense - backrow defenders work in the area a meter in from the backline and sidelines up to the three-meter line.

Pipe - a ball set in the middle of the court, on the three-meter line, for a backrow player to hit.

Quick - the first of the three attack options. The attacker contacts the ball immediately after it is released from the setter’s hands.

Red card - a severe sanction given by the up-referee.

Roof - to block a spike, usually straight down and for a point.

Screening - an attempt by a player to conceal the start of a teammate’s serve by obstructing an opponent’s line of sight. Screening is illegal.

Seams - the space between the blockers and between back-court defenders.

Set – the act of getting the ball into the position for the hitters to attack the ball. Usually done overhead with two hands.

Setter – the team quarterback. Attempts to “set” every second contact for his/her hitters to attack.

Serve - the act of putting the ball into play.

Shank - to pass the ball badly.

Six Pack - another term for getting a spiked ball in the face on defense. A “Twelve Pack” actually knocks down the defender. In the past the defender was then obligated to buy the spiker a six pack of his/her desired beverage (roots are found in doubles sand play).

Sizzle the Pits - a spike that goes under, and past, the armpits of a big block.

Slide - a movement from an attacker’s serve receive position past another into a third; usually the ball is hit while “sliding out” towards the sideline.

Spiked Ball - a ball hit forcibly from a height not less than the top of the net. Also known as a bury, crush, hammer, kill, put-away or slam.

Stuff - a block in which the ball goes straight down to the floor with no hope of being picked up by an opposing player.

Tool - when a ball is intentionally spiked off a blocker’s hands to make it go out of bounds.

Touch - when the ball lands out of bounds, but not before contacting one of the players.

Up-referee - the main referee. He/she stands upon a special chair. Also known as the first referee.

Yellow card - a first sanction given by the up-referee, cost the sanctioned team a point.

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Overall

Country Rec ‘83* ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13

Algeria 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0

Argentina 15-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 1-0

Australia 10-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-0 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Azerbaijan 0-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-2 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Bahamas 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Barbados 6-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Brazil 40-59 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 2-1 5-1 0-0 2-1 1-1 1-0 3-2 0-1 4-6 1-2 0-0 0-1 3-3 1-6 1-1 1-2 1-5 0-2 2-3 0-3 1-2 1-4 0-4 1-5 2-2 4-1 1-0

Brazil JNT 2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Bulgaria 10-1 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0

Cameroon 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Canada 71-10 1-0 1-1 2-0 6-0 3-0 1-0 7-3 5-2 2-0 0-0 1-0 6-1 15-0 1-0 2-0 5-2 1-1 2-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 3-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0

China 36-85 6-1 3-11 0-0 0-1 1-6 0-2 1-1 0-7 3-6 2-6 0-5 0-6 4-0 2-5 0-1 0-4 0-2 2-3 1-2 0-3 0-4 2-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 2-0 0-0 3-0 2-2 2-0 0-0

Chinese Taipei 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0

Croatia 3-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Costa Rica 13-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 3-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0

Colombia 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0

Cuba 55-93 8-2 4-1 0-1 0-11 0-12 2-2 2-2 8-3 2-3 2-4 0-5 1-1 2-6 2-5 0-3 0-5 0-5 0-3 3-2 3-2 5-0 2-4 1-2 0-1 3-2 1-2 0-2 3-0 2-2 1-1 0-0

Cuba ‘B’ 5-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Czech Rep. 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Domin. Rep. 42-11 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 7-0 5-1 1-0 0-0 1-0 3-0 1-1 1-1 1-2 3-1 1-1 2-2 1-1 4-1 4-0 1-0

Egypt 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

El Salvador 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

France 11-0 6-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Germany 61-15 12-0 5-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 8-3 0-0 1-1 1-0 0-0 1-0 4-2 2-0 3-0 4-1 3-1 0-0 3-0 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-2 3-1 2-1 2-0 0-0

Greece 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Guatemala 3-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Haiti 2-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Hungary 4-2 3-0 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Italy 32-24 1-0 0-0 9-2 1-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 5-0 0-0 0-1 1-3 0-1 0-0 1-1 3-4 2-1 1-3 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-3 0-0 2-1 3-0 1-0 0-0

Jamaica 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Japan 98-113 8-6 1-14 4-10 8-11 9-4 12-3 1-9 8-6 4-6 1-9 1-8 5-2 5-2 3-1 0-1 1-6 3-3 4-5 0-2 0-1 3-0 1-0 1-2 0-0 1-0 3-0 0-0 2-1 2-1 0-0 0-0

Kazakhstan 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0

Kenya 7-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0

Korea 10-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-2 0-0 2-0 1-0 1-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 0-0

Maritius 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Mexico 24-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 2-0 0-0 0-0

Netherlands 26-11 2-0 1-0 2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 5-1 2-0 0-2 2-0 1-0 3-1 0-1 0-0 0-0 1-2 0-0 2-0 2-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Neth. Antilles 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Nicaragua 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

No. Korea 12-1 11-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Peru 28-5 0-0 3-0 0-0 1-2 0-1 0-2 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 6-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 4-0 0-0 0-0

Poland 12-4 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 1-2 1-0 2-0 3-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0

Puerto Rico 30-2 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 4-0 2-0 1-0 0-1 3-1 2-0 2-0 1-0 1-0

Romania 6-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

#Russia 31-68 2-0 2-0 0-0 0-3 0-7 0-0 0-5 1-9 3-4 4-1 2-2 1-2 2-0 5-4 0-3 0-6 0-1 0-5 5-0 2-6 0-3 1-1 0-0 0-2 1-1 0-0 0-1 0-2 0-0 0-0 0-0

#Russia ‘B’ 1-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Serbia 5-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-1 2-0 0-0

So. Korea 23-24 1-0 1-3 0-4 4-1 2-0 4-2 0-0 0-2 1-1 0-2 0-2 2-1 3-1 2-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Spain 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Switzerland 5-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-2 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0

Thailand 15-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 3-0 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 3-0 0-0 2-0 0-0

Tunisia 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Trinidad 7-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 0-0 1-0

Turkey 8-2 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-1 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0

Ukraine 3-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-2 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Venezuela 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Virgin Is. 3-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Yugoslavia 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Total 670-502 70-9 22-30 25-20 24-33 22-31 32-15 16-20 40-32 38-22 15-22 15-27 25-20 57-16 23-19 10-12 27-30 24-19 24-26 21-10 17-18 29-15 20-16 26-15 16-12 26-11 22-11 18-14 28-13 39-10 30-2 5-0

‘83* ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13

Results Not Counted: 1983 - Pan American Games; 1994 - Tour Of Asia & Goodwill Games; 2006 - Poland or Azteca Cup Results w/training team and junior members competing

# Includes Matches Played Vs. USSR, CIS and Russia.

U.S. Women's Volleyball Record vs. Opponents (1983-present)

112

All-Time U.S. Women's Indoor Volleyball Olympians

1964 (Tokyo)5th PlacePatti BrightJean GaertnerLou GallowayBarbara HarwerthLinda MurphyGail O’RourkeNancy OwenMary Jo PepplerMary PerrySharon PetersonVerneda ThomasJane WardHead Coach: Dr. W.P. BurroughsManager: Ida Litschauer

1968 (Mexico City)8th PlacePatti BrightKathryn HeckFanny HopeauNinja JorgensenLaurie LewisMiki McFaddenMarilyn McCreavyNancy OwenBarbara PerryMary PerrySharon PetersonJane WardHead Coach: Harlan Cohen

1980 (Moscow)Did Not Compete (USA Boycott)Janet BaierCarolyn BeckerRita CrockettPatty DowdellLaurie FlachmeierDebbie GreenFlo HymanLaurel BrasseyDebbie LandrethDiane McCormickTerry PlaceSue WoodstraHead Coach: Arie SelingerAssistant Coach: Toshi YoshidaManager: Ruth Becker

1984 (Los Angeles)Silver MedalJeanne BeaupreyCarolyn BeckerLinda ChisholmRita CrockettLaurie FlachmeierDebbie GreenFlo HymanRose MagersKim RuddinsJulie VollertsenPaula WeishoffSue WoodstraHead Coach: Arie SelingerAssistant Coach: John CorbelliAssistant Coach: Marlon Sano

1988 (Seoul)7th PlaceDeitre CollinsCaren KemnerLaurel KesselTammy LileyLiz MasakayanJayne McHughMelissa McLindenKim OdenKeba PhippsKim RuddinsAngela RockLiane SatoHead Coach: Terry LiskevychAssisant Coach: Debbie Landreth BrownAssistant Coach: Kent Miller

1992 (Barcelona)Bronze MedalJanet CobbsTara Cross-BattleLori EndicottCaren KemnerRuth LawansonTammy LileyElaina OdenKim OdenLiane SatoPaula WeishoffTeee WilliamsYoko ZetterlundHead Coach: Terry LiskevychAssistant Coach: Greg GiovanazziAssistant Coach: Kent MillerTechnical Coordinator: David SimsMedical Consultant: Dan McDonough

1996 (Atlanta)7th PlaceTara Cross-BattleLori EndicottCaren KemnerKristin KleinTammy LileyBev OdenElaina OdenDanielle ScottPaula WeishoffTeee WilliamsElaine YoungsYoko ZetterlundHead Coach: Terry LiskevychAssistant Coach: Aldis BerzinsAssistant Coach: Jeanne Beauprey ReevesTechnical Assistant: Dave Fleming

2000 (Sydney)4th PlaceRobyn Ah MowHeather BownTara Cross-BattleMickisha HurleySarah NoriegaDemetria SanceDanielle ScottStacy SykoraCharlene TagaloaLogan TomKerri WalshAllison WestonHead Coach: Mick HaleyAssistant Coach: Toshi YoshidaAssistant Coach: Jeri EstesTechnical Coordinator: Monica PaulTrainer: Emery Hill, Jr.Team Doctor: Dr. David WeinsteinTeam Manager: Bob Gambardella

2004 (Athens)5th PlaceRobyn Ah Mow-SantosElisabeth BachmanLindsey BergHeather BownTara Cross-BattleTayyiba HaneefNancy MetcalfOgonna NnamaniKeba PhippsDanielle ScottStacy SykoraLogan TomHead Coach: Toshi YoshidaAssistant Coach: Kevin HamblyAssistant Coach: Tara Cross-BattleTechnical Coordinator: Robyn RomanskyTrainer: Emery Hill, Jr.Team Leader: Tom Pingel

2008 (Beijing)Silver MedalRobyn Ah Mow-SantosLindsey BergHeather BownNicole DavisKim GlassTayyiba Haneef-ParkJennifer JoinesOgonna NnamaniDanielle Scott-ArrudaStacy SykoraLogan TomKim WilloughbyHead Coach: “Jenny” Lang PingAssistant Coach: Sue WoodstraAssistant Coach: Li YongAssistant Coach: Tom HoganTechnical Coordinator: Diane FrenchTrainer: Emery Hill, Jr.Team Leader: Joan Powell

2012 (London)SilverFoluke AkinradewoLindsey BergNicole DavisTayyiba Haneef-ParkChrista HarmottoMegan HodgeDestinee HookerJordan LarsonTamari MiyashiroDanielle Scott-ArrudaCourtney ThompsonLogan TomHead Coach: Hugh McCutcheonAssistant Coach: Karch KiralyAssistant Coach: Paula WeishoffAssistant Coach/Technical Coordina-tor: Jamie MorrisonTechnical Coordinator: Giuseppe VinciConsultant Coach: Marv DunphyAthletic Trainer/Medical Support: Jill WosmekDoctor: Dr. Willliam StetsonTeam Manager: Ken Sullivan

113

All-Time U.S. Women's Olympic Volleyball Teams

1964 1968 1980

1984 1988 1992

1996 2000 2004

2008 2012

114

1964 Olympics - Tokyo, JapanFinish: 5th

Match ResultsOct. 11: lost to Japan 15-1, 15-5, 15-2Oct. 12: lost to Poland 15-3, 15-4, 15-10Oct. 13: lost to Romania 15-9, 15-1, 15-2Oct. 17: lost to Soviet Union 15-1, 15-8, 15-7Oct. 21: def. South Korea 15-7, 15-13, 15-13Final Record: 1-5 (3-12)

Final StandingsGold: Japan (5-0)Silver: Soviet Union (4-1)Bronze: Poland (3-2)4. Romania (2-3)5. USA (1-4)6. South Korea (0-5)

1968 Olympics - Mexico City, MexicoFinish: 8th

Match ResultsOct. 13: lost to Japan 15-6, 15-2, 15-2Oct. 14: lost to Czechoslovakia 15-7, 11-15, 15-9, 15-11Oct. 16: lost to Poland 15-3, 15-1, 16-14Oct. 17: lost to South Korea 15-9, 15-13, 13-15, 15-5Oct. 21: lost to Soviet Union 15-1, 6-15, 15-4, 15-6Oct. 23: lost to Peru 15-11, 15-0, 14-16, 15-12Oct. 26: lost to Mexico 15-8, 15-7, 15-4Final Record: 0-7 (4-21)

Final StandingsGold: Soviet Union (7-0)Silver: Japan (6-1)Bronze: Poland (5-2)4. Peru (3-4)5. South Korea (3-4)6. Czechoslovakia (3-4)7. Mexico (1-6)8. USA (0-7)

1984 Olympics - Los Angeles, CaliforniaFinish: Silver Medal

Match ResultsJuly 30: def. West Germany 17-15, 15-8, 15-10Aug. 1: def. Brazil 12-15, 10-15, 15-5, 15-5, 15-12Aug. 3: def. China 15-13, 7-15, 16-14, 15-12Aug. 5: def. Peru 16-14, 15-9, 15-10Aug. 7: lost to China 16-14, 15-3, 15-9Final Record: 4-1 (12-6)

Final StandingsGold: ChinaSilver: USABronze: Japan4. Peru5. South Korea6. West Germany7. Brazil8. Canada

Pool A StandingsUSA (3-0)China (2-1)West Germany (1-2)Brazil (0-3)

Pool B StandingsJapan (3-0)Peru (2-1)South Korea (1-2)Canada (0-3)

1988 Olympics - Seoul, South KoreaFinish: 7th Place

Match ResultsSept. 20: lost to China 0-3 (9-15, 5-15, 7-15)Sept. 23: def. Brazil 14-16, 15-5, 15-13, 12-15, 15-7Sept. 25: lost to Peru 15-12, 15-9, 4-15, 5-15, 15-9Sept. 27: lost to East Germany 15-13, 15-11, 10-15, 15-8Sept. 29: def. South Korea 15-4, 12-15, 13-15, 15-9, 15-8Final Record: 2-3 (9-13)

Final StandingsGold: Soviet UnionSilver: PeruBronze: China4. Japan5. East Germany6. Brazil7. USA8. South Korea

Pool A StandingsSoviet Union (2-1)Japan (2-1)South Korea (1-2)East Germany (1-2)

Pool B StandingsPeru (3-0)China (2-1)USA (1-2)Brazil (0-3)

1992 Olympics - Barcelona, SpainFinish: Bronze Medal

Match ResultsJuly 29: lost to Japan 15-13, 11-15, 12-15, 15-8, 15-13July 31: def. CIS 9-15, 17-15, 15-12, 4-15, 15-11Aug. 2: def. Spain 15-4, 15-5, 15-10Aug. 4: def. Netherlands 15-11, 11-15, 15-8, 15-7Aug. 6: lost to Cuba 8-15, 9-15, 15-6, 15-5, 15-11Aug. 7: def. Brazil 15-8, 15-6, 15-13Final Record: 4-2 (16-9)

Final StandingsGold: CubaSilver: Commonwealth of Independent States - former Soviet UnionBronze: USA4. Brazil5. Japan6. Netherlands7. China8. Spain

Pool A StandingsCommonwealth of Independent States - former Soviet Union (2-1)USA (2-1)Japan (2-1)Span (0-3)

Pool B StandingsCuba (3-0)Brazil (2-1)Netherlands (1-2)China (0-3)

1996 Olympics - Atlanta, GeorgiaFinish: 7th Place

Match ResultsJuly 20: def. Ukraine 15-8, 15-5, 15-11July 22: def. Netherlands 12-15, 15-10, 17-15, 15-7July 24: lost to China 15-8, 15-2, 12-15, 15-12July 26: def. Japan 15-11, 15-7, 15-12July 28: def. Korea 10-15, 15-13, 15-9, 15-3July 30: lost to Cuba 15-1, 15-10, 15-12July 31: lost to Korea 15-12, 15-5, 15-11Aug. 1: def. Germany 17-15, 15-6, 5-15, 15-6Final Record: 5-3 (16-12)

Final StandingsGold: CubaSilver: ChinaBronze: Brazil4. Russia5. Netherlands6. Korea7. USA8. Germany9. Canada9. Japan11. Ukraine11. Peru

Pool A StandingsChina (5-0)USA (4-1)Netherlands (3-2)Korea (2-3)Japan (1-4)Ukraine (0-5)

Pool B StandingsBrazil (5-0)Russia (4-1)Cuba (3-2)Germany (2-3)Canada (1-4)Peru (0-5)

2000 Olympics - Sydney, AustraliaFinish: 4th Place

Match ResultsSept. 16: def. China 19-25, 25-21, 25-12, 26-24Sept. 18: def. Kenya 25-16, 25-6, 25-16Sept. 20: def. Croatia 25-19, 25-18, 25-16Sept. 22: def. Australia 25-11, 25-17, 25-10Sept. 24: lost to Brazil 25-17, 20-25, 25-15, 25-15Sept. 26: def. Korea 26-24, 17-25, 25-23, 25-27, 16-14Sept. 28: lost to Russia 25-15, 23-25, 25-15, 26-28, 15-8Sept. 30: lost to Brazil 25-18, 25-22, 25-21Final Record: 5-3 (18-12)

Final StandingsGold: CubaSilver: RussiaBronze: Brazil4. USA5. China6. Germany7. Croatia8. Korea9. Australia9. Italy11. Peru11. Kenya

Pool A Standings Pool B StandingsBrazil (5-0) Russia (5-0)USA (4-1) Cuba (4-1)Croatia (3-2) Korea (3-2)China (2-3) Germany (2-3)Australia (1-4) Italy (1-4)Kenya (0-5) Peru (0-5)

All-Time U.S. Olympic Women's Volleyball Results

115

2004 Olympics - Athens, GreeceFinish: 5th Place

Match ResultsAug. 14: lost to China 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18Aug. 16: def. Germany 25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25Aug. 18: lost to Dominican Republic 26-24, 22-25, 27-25, 23-25, 19-17Aug. 20: lost to Russia 20-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11Aug. 22: def. Cuba 25-22, 25-12, 25-19Aug. 24: lost to Brazil 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 25-27, 15-6Final Record: 2-4 (13-13)

Final StandingsGold: ChinaSilver: RussiaBronze: Cuba4. Brazil5. Japan5. Korea5. Italy5. USA9. Germany9. Greece11. Dominican Republic11. Kenya

Pool A StandingsBrazil (5-0)Italy (4-1)Korea (3-2)Japan (2-3)Greece (1-4)Kenya (0-5)

Pool B StandingsChina (5-0)Russia (3-2)Cuba (3-2)USA (2-3)Germany (2-3)Dominican Republic (1-4)

All-Time U.S. Olympic Women's Volleyball Results

2008 Olympics - Beijing, ChinaFinish: Silver Medal

Match ResultsAug. 9: def. Japan 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-21Aug. 11: lost to Cuba 25-15, 26-24, 25-17Aug. 13: def. Venezuela 25-17, 20-25, 25-14, 25-18Aug. 15: def. China 23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 15-11Aug. 17: def. Poland 18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, 15-13Aug. 19: def. Italy 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 15-6Aug. 21: def. Cuba 25-20, 25-16, 25-17Aug. 23: lost to Brazil 25-15, 18-25, 25-13, 25-21Final Record: 6-2 (19-14)

Final StandingsGold: BrazilSilver: USABronze: China4. Cuba5. Italy5. Japan5. Russia5. Serbia9. Kazakhstan9. Poland11. Algeria11. Venezuela

Pool A StandingsCuba (5-0)USA (4-1)China (3-2)Japan (2-3)Poland (1-4)Venezuela (0-5)

Pool B StandingsBrazil (5-0)Italy (4-1)Russia (3-2)Serbia (2-3)Kazakhstan (1-4)Algeria (0-5)

2012 Olympics - London, EnglandFinish: Silver Medal

Match ResultsJuly 28: def. Korea 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21July 30: def. Brazil 25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21Aug. 1: def. China 26-24, 25-16, 31-29Aug. 3: def. Serbia 25-17, 25-20, 25-16Aug. 5: def. Turkey 27-25, 25-16, 25-19Aug. 7: def. Dominican Republic 25-14, 25-21, 25-22Aug. 9: def. Korea 25-20, 25-22, 25-22Aug. 9: lost to Brazil 11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17Final Record: 7-1 (19-5)

Final StandingsGold: BrazilSilver: USABronze: Japan4. Korea5T. China5T. Russia5T. Dominican Republic5T. Italy9T. Great Britain9T. Turkey11T. Algeria11T. Serbia

Pool A StandingsRusia (14 points, 5-0)Italy (13 points, 4-1)Japan (9 points, 3-2)Dominican Republic (6 points, 2-3)Great Britain (2 points, 1-4)Algeria (1 point, 0-5)

Pool B StandingsUSA (15 points, 5-0)China (9 points, 3-2)Korea (8 points, 2-3)Brazil (7 points, 3-2)Turkey (6 points, 2-3)Serbia (0 points, 0-5)

Courtesy FIVB

2008 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team with silver medals.

116

International Volleyball Fact Sheet

Introduction: Volleyball has major international competitions every year and, at its highest level, is a physically demanding sport played by some of the world’s most elite athletes. Of course, volleyball is also a popular recreational activity enjoyed by more than 38 million persons in the United States (more than any team sport but basketball) and more than 800 million persons globally, making it the world’s most popular participant sport. This fact sheet is designed to provide more understanding about international volleyball and its major com-petitions, including the Olympic Games.

International Governing Body: The international governing body for volleyball is the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The FIVB is the world’s largest sports federation, with more than 200 member nations. Under the direction of its president, Dr. Ruben Acosta of Mexico, the FIVB oversees the administration of volleyball throughout the world and is responsible for producing several major events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World League and World Grand Prix.

National Governing Body: The national governing body (NGB) for volleyball in the United States is USA Volleyball, formerly known as the United States Vol-leyball Association. Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is responsible for the ad-ministration of all forms of volleyball in the United States, including producing the annual USA Open Volleyball Championships, Junior Olympic Championships and the USA Outdoor National Championships. As mandated by the 1978 Ama-teur Sports Act, USA Volleyball is responsible to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and the FIVB for training and nominating the teams which represent the United States in the Olympic Games and other important volleyball competi-tions worldwide.

Major Competitions: The four major events on the international volleyball calendar are the Olympic Games (men and women, indoor and beach), World Championships (men and women, indoor and beach), World Cup (men and women, indoor), World League (men, indoor) and World Grand Prix (women, indoor). All events are conducted quadrennially, with the exceptions of the an-nual World League/Grand Prix and the biennial Beach World Championships.

World Rankings: Following the decision of the FIVB Board of Administration, a new system of point attribution based on a new scale has been implemented for the FIVB World Ranking of Volleyball National Teams. The following competi-tions are now included:

• Senior World Championships included for four years - 25 percent reduction each year. Points are also granted for the qualification matches, to the best non-qualified teams.

• Olympic Games included for four years - 25 percent reduction each year. Points are also granted for the qualification matches, to the best non-qualified teams.

• World Cup included for two years - 50 percent reduction the second year.

• Senior Continental Championships included for two years - 50 percent reduction the second year; points are also granted for the qualification matches to the best non-qualified teams.

• Men’s World League / Women’s World Grand Prix included for one year. Women (Points) - as of 1/23/2013 Men (Points) as of 1/23/20131. USA (330) 1. Brazil (325)2. Brazil (315) 2. Russia (292)3. Japan (266) 3. Italy (253)4. Italy (238) 4. Poland (237)5. China (226) 5. USA (217)6. Russia (160) 6. Cuba (213)7. Turkey (148) 7. Serbia (175)8. Germany (133) 8. Bulgaria (165)9. Serbia (132) 9. Argentina (154)10. Dominican Republic (127) 10. Germany (127)11. Korea (125) 11. Australia (68)12. Thailand (81) 12. Egypt (63)13. Cuba (80) 13. Tunisia (62)14. Algeria (71) 14. Iran (58)15. Poland (69) 15. France (56)16. Kenya (58) 16T. China (53)17. Peru (50) 16T. Cameroon (53)18. Puerto Rico (44) 18. Canada (51)19. Argentina (42) 19. Japan (48)20. Netherlands (38) 20T. Venezuela (45)21. Great Britain (37) 20T. Puerto Rico (45)22T. Egypt (32) 22. Czech Republic (41)22T. Canada (32) 23. Mexico (40)24. Czech Republic (30) 24. Korea (39)25. Mexico (29) 25. Spain (32)26T. Colombia (26) 26T. Algeria (30)26T. Costa Rica (26) 26T. Slovakia (30)28T. Chinese Taipei (25) 28. Colombia (29)28T. Senegal (25) 29. Great Britain (26)30. Kazakhstan (23) 30T. India (25)31. Croatia (22) 30T. Finland (25)32T. Uruguay (20) 32. Chile (22)32T. Trinidad & Tobago (20) 33T. Trinidad & Tobago (19)32. Camerron (20) 33T. Morocco (19)35T. Tunisia (18) 33T. Paraguay (19)35T. Romania (18) 36. Slovenia (17)35T. Azerbaijan (18) 37T. Portugual (16)38T. Chile (16) 37T. Estonia (16)38T. Belgium (16) 37T. Netherlands (16)38T. Belarus (16) 37T. Romania (16)

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Olympic Games: Volleyball made its debut in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. Twelve teams in both the men’s and women’s draw earn the right to compete:

Past Olympic Champions (Men) 1964: Soviet Union (USA, ninth) 1968: Soviet Union (USA, seventh) 1972: Japan, (USA, DNQ) 1976: Poland (USA, DNQ) 1980: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ) 1984: USA 1988: USA 1992: Brazil (USA, bronze) 1996: Netherlands (USA, ninth)2000: Yugoslavia (USA, 11th)2004: Brazil (USA, fourth)2008: USA2012: Russia (USA, fifth)

Past Olympic Champions (Women)1964: Japan (USA, fifth)1968: Soviet Union (USA, eighth)1972: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ)1976: Japan (USA, DNQ)1980: Soviet Union (USA, DNP)1984: China (USA, silver)1988: Soviet Union (USA, seventh)1992: Cuba (USA, bronze)1996: Cuba (USA, seventh)2000: Cuba (USA, fourth)2004: China (USA, fifth)2008: Brazil (USA, silver)2012: Brazil (USA, silver)

World Championships: The World Championships are held every four years in the second year after the Olympics. The site, usually separate for the men’s and women’s competitions, is determined by the FIVB based on bids received from interested cities. The 24 berths for the men and women are gained in the following manner (2006 information is provided in parenthesis where avail-able):• Host country• Defending World Champions• FIVB determined the appropriate number of qualification spots for each continent/zone based on performance at the 2002 World Championships and the number of teams registered for the 2006 World Championships. Each continent/zone played a World Championships Qualification Tournament in early 2002.

Past World Champions (Men)1949: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1952: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1956: Czechoslovakia (USA, sixth)1960: Soviet Union (USA, seventh)1962: Soviet Union (USA, DNP)1966: Czechoslovakia (USA, 11th)1970: East Germany (USA, 18th)1974: Not held 1978: Soviet Union (USA, 19th)1982: Soviet Union (USA, 13th)1986: USA1990: Italy (USA, 13th)1994: Italy (USA, third)1998: Italy (USA, ninth)2002: Brazil (USA, ninth)2006: Brazil (USA, 10th)2010: Brazil (USA, sixth)

Past World Champions (Women)1952: Soviet Union (USA, DNP)1956: Soviet Union (USA, ninth)1960: Soviet Union (USA, sixth)1962: Japan (USA, DNP)1966: Japan (USA, second)1970: Soviet Union (USA, 11th)1974: Japan (USA, 12th)1978: Cuba (USA, fifth)1982: China (USA, third)1986: China (USA, 10th)1990: Soviet Union (USA, third)1994: Cuba (USA, sixth)1998: Cuba (USA, 13th)2002: Italy (USA, second)2006: Russia (USA, ninth)2010: Russia (USA, fourth)

World Cup: The World Cup is held every four years, in the year prior to the Olympic Games. Though originally held at various sites, it has been hosted by Japan since 1977. Prior to 1991, the World Cup took place in the year im-mediately following the Olympics. The 12 berths in the World Cup for men and women are gained in the following manner:

• Host country (Japan- Men and Women)• Defending World Cup champion• Winners of the five zone championships• The highest-placed team (of each zone) not qualified for the Olympic Games in accordance with the ranking of the zone championships.

Past World Cup Champions (Men)1965: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1969: East Germany (USA, DNP)1973: Soviet Union (USA, seventh)1977: Soviet Union (USA, 10th) 1981: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ) 1985: USA 1989: Cuba (USA, fourth) 1991: Soviet Union (USA, third) 1995: Italy (USA, fourth)1999: Russia (USA, fourth)2003: Brazil (USA, fourth)2007: Brazil (USA, fourth)2011: Russia (USA, sixth)

Past World Cup Champions (Women)1973: Soviet Union (USA, sixth)1977: Japan (USA, seventh)1981: China (USA, fourth)1985: China (USA, DNQ)1989: Cuba (USA, DNQ)1991: Cuba (USA, fourth)1995: Cuba (USA, seventh)1999: Cuba (USA, ninth)2003: China (USA, third)2007: Italy (USA, third)2011: Italy (USA, second)

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Zone Championships: The volleyball world is divided into five inter-national zones.The United States is in the NORCECA (North America Central America Caribbean) Zone, with championships held every other year at various sites. The other zones are Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The frequency of zone championships competition varies in each of the five sections. Any nation in a particular zone may participate in its zone championships whenever such a competition is conducted.

Past NORCECA Champions (Men)1969: Cuba (USA, third) 1971: Cuba (USA, second) 1973: USA 1975: Cuba (USA, third) 1977: Cuba (USA, fifth) 1979: Cuba (USA, fifth) 1981: Cuba (USA, second) 1983: USA 1985: USA 1987: Cuba (USA, second) 1989: Cuba (USA, third) 1991: Cuba (USA, second) 1993: Cuba (USA, second) 1995: Cuba (USA, second) 1997: Cuba (USA, second)1999: USA2001: Cuba (USA, second)2003: USA2005: USA2007: USA2009: Cuba (USA, second)2011: Cuba (USA, second)

Past NORCECA Champions (Women)1969: Mexico (USA, bronze)1971: Mexico (USA, DNP)1973: Cuba (USA, third)1975: Cuba (USA, second)1977: Cuba (USA, third)1979: Cuba (USA, second)1981: USA1983: USA1985: Cuba (USA, second)1987: Cuba (USA, second)1989: Cuba (USA, third)1991: Cuba (USA, second)1993: Cuba (USA, second)1995: Cuba (USA, second)1997: Cuba (USA, second)1999: Cuba (USA, second)2001: USA2003: USA2005: USA2007: Cuba (USA, second)2009: Dominican Republic (USA, fourth)2011: USA

World League and World Grand Prix: The World League features the top 16 men’s volleyball teams in the world in competition for a total purse that has grown to $5.6 million since the inaugural season in 1990. Teams are divided into three, four-team pools and each country playing the other teams in their pool four times (twice at home, twice on the road). The winner and runner-up in each pool advance to a seeded playoff round. The regular season is usually played in May and June with playoffs in early July.

The World Grand Prix is the women’s counterpart to the World League, and offers a total purse of $1.69 million to its 16-team field. Teams play in different four-team pools each weekend, at round-robin tourna-ments hosted by cities throughout Asia. The three teams with the best records join the host country for the Grand Prix Finals. The regular season is played in August and early-September with playoffs in mid-September.

World League Champions 1990: Italy (USA, fourth in pool)1991: Italy (USA, third in pool)1992: Italy (USA, first in pool, third overall)1993: Brazil (USA, fifth in pool) 1994: Italy (USA, fourth in pool) 1995: Italy (USA, fourth in pool) 1996: Netherlands (USA, DNP) 1997: Italy (USA, DNP) 1998: Cuba (USA, DNP)1999: Italy (USA, DNP)2000: Italy (USA, first in pool, sixth overall)2001: Brazil (USA, third in pool, tied-ninth overall)2002: Russia (USA, DNP)2003: Brazil (USA, DNP)2004: Brazil (USA, DNP)2005: Brazil (USA, DNP)2006: Brazil (USA, third in pool)2007: Brazil (USA, third in finals)2008: USA2009: Brazil (USA, sixth)2010: Brazil (USA, eighth)2011: Russia (USA, seventh)2012: Poland (USA, silver)

World Grand Prix Champions1993: Cuba (USA, seventh regular season)1994: Brazil (USA, fifth regular season)1995: USA1996: Brazil (USA, fifth)1997: Russia (USA, eighth)1998: Brazil (USA, eighth)1999: Russia (USA, DNP)2000: Cuba (USA, sixth)2001: USA2002: Russia (USA, sixth)2003: China (USA, third)2004: Brazil (USA, third)2005: Brazil (USA, eighth)2006: Brazil (USA, seventh)2007: Netherlands (USA, eighth final, seventh preliminary)2008: Brazil (USA, fourth)2009: Brazil (USA, ninth)2010: USA2011: USA2012: USA

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USA Volleyball – 2013 Fact Sheet

Name: USA VolleyballLocation: Colorado Springs, Colo.Founded: 1928Membership: Approximately 300,000

Mission: USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for all disciplines of volleyball in the United States and is officially recognized by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). As mandated by the Amateur Sports Act, USA Volleyball is responsible for the growth of the sport in America at the grassroots and most elite levels. USA Volleyball is the parent organization of the USA National Teams.

Chief Executive Officer: Doug BealHead Coach USA Women: Karch Kiraly (First Year)Head Coach USA Men: John Speraw (First Year)

Major 2013 National Team Events:

Senior Women’s Volleyball Senior Men’s VolleyballPan American Cup (June 10-16, Lima Peru) FIVB World League (June 7-July 21, various cities around the world)USA Volleyball Cup (July 10 at San Diego, July 12 at LBSU, July 13 at JSerra HS) NORCECA Continental Championship (Sept. 21-29, Canada)FIVB World Grand Prix (Aug. 2-Sept. 1, Various Countries) FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Nov. 19-24, Japan)NORCECA Continental Championship (Sept. 16-21, Omaha, Neb.)FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Nov. 12-17, Japan)

Indoor High Performance and USAV Juniors (Youth and Junior) BeachIndoor High Performance and USAV Juniors (Youth and Junior) FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour (various countries)FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship (June 21-30, Czech Republic) NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour (various countries)USAV Girls’ Junior National Championships (June 28-July 5, Dallas) FIVB Beach Volleyball Youth World Championships (July 11-14, Portugal)FIVB Volleyball Boys U19 World Championship (June 27-July 7, Mexico) FIVB Beach Volleyball Junior World Championsihps (June 19-23, Croatia)USAV Boys’ Junior National Championships (June 27-July 4, Reno, Nev.) FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship (July 1-7, Poland)USAV High Performance Championships (July 23-27, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) FIVB Volleyball Girls U18 World Championship (July 26-Aug. 4, Thailand)FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship (Aug. 22-Sept. 1, Turkey)

Other EventsNCVF Collegiate Club Championships (April 4-6, Dallas)USAV Beach Collegiate Challenge (March 15-16, Chula Vista, Calif.)USAV Beach Collegiate Challenge (April 20-21, Hermosa Beach, Calif.)USA Volleyball Open National Championships (May 24-29, Louisville,Ky.)USA Beach Junior Tour (various locations)

About USA Volleyball: Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is a Colorado incorporated non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) as the National Governing Body for the sport of Volleyball in the United States. USA Volleyball is responsible for both the Olympic disciplines of indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. USA Volleyball has over 300,000 registered members, 12,000 teams and 5,300 clubs nationwide. With an annual budget in excess of $20million dollars, USA Volleyball supports the USA men’s and women’s senior national team programs, youth and junior national teams, national championship events, coaching education and certification programs, grassroots development, and programs for the disabled and Paralympic Teams. USA Volleyball has a rich tradition of success as evidenced by winning an Olympic medal in every Olympic Games since 1984 and capturing numerous World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championship titles. USA Volleyball is committed to and works toward opportunity for all to participate. It is an advocate for all Americans endeavoring to assure universal access to opportunities at all levels of the game. For more information please visit www.usavolleyball.org.

Other: USA Volleyball consists of 40 regional volleyball associations which manage grassroots playing opportunities for the USA Volleyball membership and is affiliated with 36 member organizations (i.e. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, YMCA) that provide playing opportunities at a variety of levels.

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4065 Sinton Road, Suite 200Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Phone: 719-228-6800www.usavolleyball.org

Documents

2013 USA Volleyball Cup Press Kit