U.S. Women Prepare for Red-Blue Scrimmages

Bill Kauffman
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 8, 2010) – The U.S. Women’s National Team has scheduled two intra-squad Red-Blue scrimmages in July as it prepares for the annual FIVB World Grand Prix.

The first exhibition is scheduled for Irvine Valley College (5500 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine, Calif.) on July 17 at 7 p.m. PT. The second exhibition is scheduled for St. Margaret’s Episcopal School (31641 LaNovia Avenue, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) on July 24 at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets are $5 at the door.

The U.S. Women’s National Team has already participated in two tournaments this year and reached the medal podium in each event. The Americans captured the silver medal at the 26th Montreux Volley Masters held in Switzerland, which included a victory over Cuba in the semifinals. With less than three days back in the United States, the squad ventured south of the border to Tijuana and Rosarita, Mexico, to play in the IX Pan American Cup. Team USA departed Mexico with the bronze medal after defeating Cuba on the final day and a disappointing four-set loss to Dominican Republic in the semifinals.

The U.S. Women’s National Team will be on the road for nearly all of August as it plays in the FIVB World Grand Prix. The squad opens the event in Gdynia, Poland, with matches against Dominican Republic on Aug. 6, Germany on Aug. 7 and host Poland on Aug. 8 during the first weekend of preliminary round matches. The U.S. travels to Bangkok, Thailand, for the second preliminary round to face Italy on Aug. 13, Thailand on Aug. 14 and Puerto Rico on Aug. 15. Team USA concludes the preliminary round in Hong Kong with repeat matches against Germany on Aug. 20 and Thailand on Aug. 21, in addition to a key match against China on Aug. 22.

The six-team FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round will take place Aug. 25-29 at Ningbo, China. The top five teams in the preliminary rounds will join host China in the Final Round.

Tags: FIVB World Grand Prix, Montreux VolleyMasters, Pan American Cup, U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team