U.S. Women’s Jr. Team Set to Battle for Bronze

Candice Kasischke
Intern, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: candice.kasischke@usav.org

Unofficial DataVolley Stats * Official Match Statistics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 30, 2011) - The U.S. Women's Junior National Team lost its battle against Brazil 25-15, 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 16-14 on Saturday evening in the second semifinal match of the FIVB Volleyball Women's Junior World Championships Peru 2011 held in Lima at the Eduardo Dibos Gymnasium.

Team USA played a hard fought match and bounced back after losing the first two sets to win the third and fourth sets. In the fifth set, the teams were tied at 14-all, but Brazil brushed by to win the set and match 16-14.

U.S. Women's Junior National Team Head Coach Rob Browning was proud of the U.S. team’s performance.

“I'm proud of our team,” Browning said. “We were down big time and they just stayed steady, didn't panic and performed wonderfully.”

The U.S. team now holds an overall 4-3 tournament record and will play China in the bronze medal match in Lima at noon PT on July 31.

Brazil will compete against Italy for the gold medal at 4:15 p.m. in Lima on July 31. In the other semifinal match on Saturday, Italy defeated China, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16. 

Haley Eckerman (Waterloo, Iowa) led the U.S. Women’s Junior Team with 25 points on 24 kills and a block. U.S. captain Kelly Reeves (San Diego) added 15 points on 14 kills and a block. Haleigh Hampton (Huntington Beach, Calif.) scored 14 points with 10 kills and four blocks.

Carly Wopat (Goleta, Calif.) racked up 11 points, contributing nine kills, a block and an ace. Hannah Allison (Siloam Springs, Ark.) scored four points on two kills and two blocks and Stephanie Holthus (Elgin, Ill.) scored a kill for Team USA.

Natalie Hagglund (Encinitas, Calif.) added 25 digs and three excellent receptions. Allison contributed 20 assists out of 123 total set attempts and Plum had four assists on 25 attempts. Holthus made 10 digs and eight excellent receptions.

Reeves contributed 7 digs and 10 excellent receptions. Eckerman had 12 digs for Team USA.

Browning started Reeves and Eckerman at outside hitter, Hampton and Wopat at middle blocker, Plum at setter and Holthus at opposite. Hagglund was the designated libero. Allison started at setter in all four sets after the first and subbed into the first set. Madelyn Hutson (Brentwood, Tenn.) contributed court action in the second set.

Team USA racked up 59 kills on 171 attacks for 34.5 kill percent, while its opponent scored 60 kills on 179 attempts for a 33.5 kill percentage. The U.S. team accumulated 56 digs and Brazil had 55 digs.

Browning expressed that at this stage of the game, all teams in the semifinals are strong teams. Browning is looking forward to facing China in the bronze medal match.

“Brazil is a great team and we obviously are a great team,” Browning said. “This is what the semifinals are about - four great teams, but only two advance to the final. We are looking forward to a great match tomorrow against China, who we know is a very strong team.”

Brazil’s Ana Correa scored 18 points and was the leading scorer for her team.

Head Coach Luizomar de Moura believes congratulated the U.S. team.

“Congratulations to USA,” Moura said. “It was a tense and nervous match with many mistakes. Our team has been playing together for four years so there is a strong feeling and this helped us to reach the final.”

In the first set, Brazil took the first three points. The U.S. team and Brazil battled to a 13-9 score, in Brazil’s favor. The Brazilians climbed to gain a 16-9 lead, due to its successful blocking and scrappy defense. Team USA kept battling, but couldn’t get in a rhythm. At 21-13, Brazil won the next four of six points to win the first set, 25-15.

In the second set, Team USA and Brazil tied three times before 6-all. Brazil gained a three point advantage, 12-9, by hitting off and around the U.S.’s block. At this point, the U.S. team adjusted and took the next three points to tie the score, 12-all. The two teams played it close with long and competitive rallies. Team USA made an uncontested block to tie the score, 19-all, but followed up with two consecutive errors to give Brazil a 21-19 lead. Brazil carried the momentum and did not let the U.S. score again, winning the second set 25-19.

In the third set, the U.S. team came back to tie the score 8-all after being behind for the majority of the set. Team USA took a 14-11 with a fiery kill down the line. Team USA’s offense gained momentum and won the next two points off of uncontested kills. The U.S. played tenacious on defense and kept playing confidently. The U.S. team gained a 23-15 advantage, but Brazil won the next four points off, causing USA to take a timeout. The U.S. team regrouped and kept the match alive by taking a 25-20 victory.

In the fourth set, at a 4-1 score in Brazil’s favor, there was a rain delay. The ceiling of the gym broke through and rain was pouring onto the court. The water got cleaned up, and both teams came out fired up and ready to play. Team USA took the next two points, but Brazil took the next four. At 8-3, the U.S. team sided out and made a four point run. The U.S. shook up Brazil and took its biggest lead at 18-12, but could not put a stop to the Americas. Team USA made its way to a 25-20 fourth set victory.

In the fifth set, Brazil gained an 8-5 edge on Team USA. At this point, the team’s switched sides of the court and Team USA got fired up and tied the score, 8-all. Both teams were swinging in full force and played their hearts out on defense. Brazil took a 12-10 lead, But the U.S. team took the next two points to tie it. Brazil got a kill and then the U.S. hit a ball out of bounds, giving Brazil a 14-12 lead. Team USA kept it alive by responding with a kill and a block to tie it again at 14-all. Brazil took the next two points to win the set and match, 16-14.

In the classification matches for 5-8 places, the Dominican Republic defeated Slovakia, 25-18, 17-25, 25-19, 25-18 on Saturday. Belgium and Peru are competing to play in the match tomorrow for fifth place and the Dominican will face the winner at 12 p.m. PT in Lima on Sunday.

In the classification matches on Saturday for 9-12 places, Poland defeated Cuba, 25-21, 18-25, 25-14, 25-22. Russia defeated Japan, 23-25, 25-16, 25-17, 17-25, 15-11. On Sunday, Poland will face Russia at 12:30 p.m. PT and Cuba will battle Japan at 10:30 a.m. PT in Callao.

In the classification matches for 13-16 places on Saturday, Serbia defeated Tunisia, 25-14, 25-12, 25-13 and Korea defeated Egypt, 25-13, 25-2, 25-17. On Sunday, Serbia and Korea will play at 8:30 a.m. and Tunisia and Egypt will play at 6:30 a.m. PT in Callao.

2011 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team
# - Name (Position, Height, Hometown, H.S. Grad Year, Club/School, Region)
1 - Hannah Allison (S, 5-11, Siloam Springs, Ark., 2010, Ozark Juniors/University of Texas, Delta)
2 - Stephanie Holthus (OH, 6-0, Elgin, Ill., 2010, Fusion/Northwestern University, Great Lakes)
3 - Natalie Hagglund (L, 5-9, Encinitas, Calif., 2010, Encinitas WAVE/University of Southern California, SCVA)
4 - Lauren Plum (S, 5-9, Poway, Calif., 2010, Coast VBC/University of Oregon, SCVA)
6 - Haleigh Hampton (MB, 6-6, Huntington Beach, Calif., 2010, Cal Juniors/Long Beach State University, SCVA)
7 - Haley Eckerman (OH, 6-3, Waterloo, Iowa, 2011, Iowa Rockets/University of Texas, Iowa)
9 - Kelly Reeves (OH, 6-0, San Diego, Calif., 2010, Encinitas WAVE/UCLA, SCVA)
10 - Sallie McLaurin (MB, 6-2, Midwest City, Okla., 2010, Oklahoma Charge/University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma)
11 - Moneshia Simmons (OH, 6-0, Buford, Ga., 2010, NFC Volleyball /Clemson University, Southern)
15 - Madelyn Hutson (MB, 6-6, Brentwood, Tenn., 2011, Impact/University of Texas, Southern)
16 - Andrea McHugh (OH, 5-10, Yorba Linda, Calif., 2010, Laguna Beach/Notre Dame, SCVA)
17 - Carly Wopat (MB, 6-2, Goleta, Calif,. 2010, Santa Barbara VBC/Stanford University, SCVA)

2011 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team Alternates
Name (Position, Height, Hometown, H.S. Grad Year, Club/School, Region)
Jennifer Bonilla (L, 5-10, Reseda, Calif., 2010, Sports Shack/University of Illinois, SCVA)
Samantha Cash (MB, 6-3, San Diego, Calif., 2011, Coast/Pepperdine, SCVA)
Mackenzie Dagostino (S, 5-10, Tampa Bay, Fla., 2012, Tampa Bay Juniors/University of Maryland, Florida)
Madison Kingdon (OH, 6-0, Phoenix, Ariz., 2011, Arizona Storm/University of Arizona, Arizona)
Molly Kreklow (S, 6-0, Delano, Minn., 2010, Mizuno Northern Lights/ University of Missouri, North Country)
Liz McMahon (OH, 6-6, Liberty Township, Ohio, 2011, Team Z/University of Illinois, Ohio Valley)
Alyssa Warren (L, 5-9, Joliet, Ill., 2010, Sports Performance/Seton Hall University, Great Lakes)

2011 U.S. Women's Junior National Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Rob Browning, Saint Mary’s College (Calif.)
Assistant Coach: Erik Sullivan, University of Texas
Assistant Coach: Jill Kramer, West Virginia University
Team Leader/Assistant Coach: Denise Corlett, Stanford University

2011 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship

First Round (July 22-24)
Pool A (at Trujillo, Peru)
July 22: Slovakia def. Tunisia, 25-15, 25-10, 25-14
July 22: Peru def. Egypt, 25-18, 25-17, 25-16
July 23: Slovakia def. Egypt, 25-20, 25-10, 25-10
July 23: Peru def. Tunisia, 25-7, 25-11, 25-10
July 24: Tunisia def. Egypt, 26-24, 25-22, 21-25, 20-25, 17-15
July 24: Peru def. Slovakia, 25-21, 25-22, 25-20

Pool B (at Lima, Peru)
July 22: Brazil def. Italy, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16
July 22: Serbia def. Cuba, 25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 25-10
July 23: Italy def. Cuba, 25-16, 25-12, 26-24
July 23: Brazil def. Serbia, 23-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-18
July 24: Italy def. Serbia, 25-14, 25-15, 25-20
July 24: Brazil def. Cuba, 25-13, 25-15, 25-21

Pool C (at Trujillo, Peru)
July 22: Korea def. Poland, 22-25, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19, 15-10
July 22: USA def. Belgium, 25-21, 25-18, 25-16
July 23: Belgium def. Korea, 25-19, 25-16, 18-25, 25-20
July 23: USA def. Poland, 25-19, 16-25, 29-27, 25-14
July 24: Belgium def. Poland, 20-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-16
July 24: USA def. Korea, 25-23, 25-14, 25-23

Pool D (at Lima, Peru)
July 22: Dominican Republic def. Japan, 25-14, 25-20, 20-25, 25-22
July 22: China def. Russia, 25-19, 25-19, 27-25
July 23: Dominican Republic def. Russia, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-20
July 23: China def. Japan, 25-18, 17-25, 25-23, 25-19
July 24: China def. Dominican Republic, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23
July 24: Russia def. Japan, 25-23, 25-22, 25-19

Second Round (July 26-28)

Pool E (at Lima)
July 26: USA def. Dominican Republic, 25-11, 25-15, 25-23
July 26: Italy def. Peru, 25-23, 25-20, 25-14
July 27: Italy def. USA, 25-23, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20
July 27: Dominican Republic def. Peru, 25-19, 26-24, 25-15
July 28: Italy def. Dominican Republic, 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20
July 28: Peru def. USA, 21-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 9-15

Pool F (at Trujillo)
July 26: Brazil def. Belgium, 25-22, 25-20, 25-21
July 26: China def. Slovakia, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21
July 27: China def. Belgium, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19
July 27: Brazil def. Slovakia, 25-13, 25-22, 25-12
July 28: Brazil def. China, 29-27, 25-19, 25-20
July 28: Belgium def. Slovakia, 17-25, 11-25, 25-18, 25-21, 15-12

Pool G (at Lima)
July 26: Cuba def. Korea, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24, 25-17
July 26: Japan def. Tunisia, 25-9, 25-15, 25-14
July 27: Japan def. Korea, 25-20, 25-13, 25-9
July 27: Cuba def. Tunisia, 25-15, 25-13, 25-12
July 28: Cuba def. Japan, 25-20, 25-20, 25-19
July 28: Korea def. Tunisia, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17

Pool H (at Trujillo)
July 26: Russia def. Egypt, 25-10, 25-20, 25-11
July 26: Poland def. Serbia, 25-21, 25-17, 14-25, 18-25, 15-11
July 27: Russia def. Poland, 25-19, 25-17, 25-18
July 27: Serbia def. Egypt, 25-16, 25-5, 29-27
July 28: Russia def. Serbia 26-24, 19-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-11
July 28: Poland def. Egypt, 25-14, 25-15, 23-25, 25-15

Medal Rounds and Playoffs (July 31)
- the winners of the semifinals will play the final for the 1st and 2nd position.
- the losers of the semifinals will play for the 3rd and 4th position.
- the winners of the play-off 5-8 will play for the 5th-6th position.
- the losers of the play-off 5-8 will play for the 7th-8th position.
- the winners of the play-off 9-12 will play for the 9th-10th position.
- the losers of the play-off 9-12 will play for the 11th-12th position.
- the winners of the play-off 13-16 will play for the 13th-14th position.
- the losers of the play-off 13-16 will play for the 15th-16th position.

Tags: 2011 U.S. Women's Junior National Team, Andrea McHugh, Carly Wopat, FIVB Women's Junior World Championship Peru 2011, Haleigh Hampton, Haley Eckerman, Hannah Allison, Kelly Reeves, Lauren Plum, Madelyn Hutson, mobile, Moneshia Simmons, Natalie Hagglund, Sallie McLaurin, Stephanie Holthus