Germany Sweeps U.S. Women at Grand Prix

B.J. Hoeptner Evans August 09, 2009

Photo: FIVB

Foluke Akinradewo hits past the German blockers as Courtney Thompson (15) watches.

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2009) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team completed its second round of pool play in the FIVB World Grand Prix with a loss to Germany, 0-3 (22025, 18-25, 25-27) on Sunday in Miao Lie in Chinese Taipei.

Team USA finishes the second round with a 1-2 record and is 2-4 overall. It will play its final round of pool play on Aug. 14-16 in Thailand where it will share the pool with Dominican Republic, Russia and Thailand. The U.S. Women lost to Germany in their first 2009 World Grand Prix match, 0-3 (15-25, 15-25, 16-25).

Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) led all scorers on Sunday with 13 points on a match-high 10 kills and three blocks. Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) added eight points on six kills and two blocks. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) totaled six points on five kills and one block. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) scored six points on two kills and four blocks.

“Germany played a good game tactically,” U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “It was a good lesson for our young players.”

Germany got 12 points each from Margareta Kozuch (nine kills, two blocks, one ace) and Christiane Fuerst (eight kills, four blocks).

Team USA out-blocked Germany 12-9. However Germany had four aces as compared to two for the U.S. Women. Team USA completed 30 of 115 kill attempts (26 percent) with 18 faults. Germany was 41 of 125 (32.8 percent) with 21 faults.

Among other U.S. scorers, Alexis Crimes (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) scored four points on three kills and one block. Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) totaled three points on two kills and one ace. Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) scored three points on two kills and one block.

Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) scored one point on one ace. She was also credited with nine running sets and two faults on 52 attempts. Angie McGinnis (Fraser, Mich.) was credited with four running sets with one fault on 34 attempts.

Libero Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) was credited with 13 digs and three faults on 22 attempts. Larson was credited with 20 excellent receptions and two faults on 42 attempts.

McCutcheon started Barboza and Larson at outside hitter, Crimes and Akinradewo at middle blocker, Metcalf at opposite, Thompson at setter and Sykora at libero. The same group started the second set. However, in the third set, Larson and Richards started at outside hitter. Tracy Stalls (Denver, Colo.) and Akinradewo started at middle blocker. Fawcett started at opposite and McGinnis at setter. Sykora remained at libero.

Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) played as a substitute.

Despite three points from Metcalf on two kills and a block, the U.S. Women fell behind 5-8 at the first technical timeout (TTO) of the first set. Later, trailing 6-11, the United States put together three straight points on Germany’s error and two kills from Metcalf to pull to within two points at 9-11. The trailed by four, 12-16, at the second TTO, but immediately scored on kills by Fawcett, who had replaced Metcalf, and Barboza to pull back to within two. Trailing 16-19, Team USA scored three straight points on a block by Fawcett and a kill and a block from Crimes to tie the score. The score was still tied at 21-21 when two straight U.S. errors gave Germany the 23-21 lead. The United States scored once more on Germany’s error, before Germany won the set on a block and a kill.

Germany led 8-2 at the first TTO of the second set with the United States’ only points coming on a German service error and a Crimes kill. Later, with the U.S. trailing 6-11, it scored three straight points on Akinradewo’s block, a German hitting error and a Barboza ace to make it 9-11. Germany called timeout, but Team USA responded with an Akinradewo kill to pull to within one at 10-11. Germany went back up by two with a kill and maintained a one- or two-point lead until it led 15-14 and used a kill and two blocks to increase its lead to 18-14. McCutcheon called timeout and Germany got a service error, but the damage was done. Another three point run carried Germany to a 23-17 advantage and it went on to win the set 25-18.

With McCutcheon putting in a new starting lineup in the third set, Germany held a slim 8-7 lead at the first TTO as Team USA scored on two kills by Richards, two by Larson and one by Akinradewo. But with Germany leading 9-8, it went on a 5-0 run to lead 14-8. Team USA trailed 11-16 at the second TTO. With Germany leading 18-13, the U.S. Women went on a 6-0 tear, paced by Fawcett with two blocks, to take the lead. Germany called timeout and tied the score again with a block. Germany reached match point at 24-22. Team USA fought it off with two kills from Larson. A German kill brought another match point at 25-24, but a Fawcett kill tied the score again. Finally, Germany scored on two straight kills to end the match.

More information and photos are available on the FIVB Grand Prix web site.

The U.S. Women's Grand Prix media guide is available on the USA Volleyball web site.

2009 FIVB World Grand Prix
Aug. 7-9 in Miao Lie in Chinese Taipei

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster
# - Name (Pos, Ht, Hometown, College)
1 - Nicole Fawcett (OPP/OH, 6-4, Zanesfield, Ohio, Penn State)
4 C - Angela McGinnis (S, 5-11, Fraser, Mich., Florida)
5 – Stacy Sykora (L, 5-10, Burleson, Texas, Texas A&M)
6 - Nicole Davis (L, 5-6, Stockton, Calif., Southern California)
8 - Cynthia Barboza (OH, 6-0, Long Beach, Calif., Stanford)
9 - Alexis Crimes (MB, 6-3, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Long Beach State)
10 - Kristin Richards (OH, 6-1, Orem, Utah, Stanford)
11 - Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Nebraska)
12 - Nancy Metcalf (OPP, 6-1, Hull, Iowa, Nebraska)
13 - Tracy Stalls (MB, 6-4, Denver, Colo., Nebraska)
15 - Courtney Thompson (S, 5-7, Kent, Wash., Washington)
18 - Foluke Akinradewo (MB, 6-3, Plantation, Fla., Stanford)

Head Coach: Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand)
Assistant Coach: Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.)
Assistant Coach: Beth Launiere (Salt Lake City, Utah) – at Brazil and Chinese Taipei
Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.) – at Thailand and Finals
Technical Coordinator/Team Leader: Jamie Morrison (Dana Point, Calif.)
Athletic Trainer: Jill Wosmek

Schedule and Results for U.S. Women's National Team

Pool A - at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Maracanazihno Gym)
July 31: Germany def. USA, 25-15, 25-15, 25-16
Aug. 1: USA def. Puerto Rico, 21-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-14, 15-13
Aug. 2: Brazil def. USA 25-18, 25-22, 25-13

Pool D - at Li Miao, Chinese Taipei (Miao Li Country Gymnasium)
Aug. 7: USA def. Dominican Republic, 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 21-25, 23-21
Aug. 8: Netherlands def. USA, 25-12, 22-25, 16-25, 25-20, 15-13
Aug. 9: Germany def. USA, 25-22, 25-18, 27-25

Pool I - at Bangkok, Thailand (Keelawes Gym)
Aug. 14: vs. Russia, 2 p.m.
Aug. 15: vs. Puerto Rico, 2 p.m.
Aug. 16: vs. Thailand, 4:30 p.m.

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On August 09, 2009 Jason Texas wrote

It takes a long time for me to believe that this happend. Another defeat was not good. Now the situation is really complicated. The USA is in the position nine according to the general result and just five teams are going to advance to final round. I don't understand what is going on, our team is very good with a lot of talented young players, all I can imagine is that Hugh McCutcheon still don't know how to guide the team. He has using the wrong players in wrong positions and wrong squad in wrong matches. He has said it once that it would be a challenge to be the women's national team head coach. It seems that the challenge is being more difficult than he has imagined. Sometimes, I think he did the wrong choice, not because of the team, of course, but because of himself.
On August 09, 2009 Simon Williams wrote

Jason, Im not sure whether of not the rest of the volleyball world agrees with you on the comment that you just made, but I dont. No one expected the team to be in the position that we are in right now. However if you have watched the games as I have, I dont see how you can blame Hugh. The team just has not been able to PASS THE BALL consistently! Balls are being passed by the players no where near the net. This means we will only have 1-2 options versus 4-5 options. Once we clean up the passing, the rest could fall in place. Also, I think Hugh's objective is to give some of the TOP Ex-collegiate volleyball players experience on the international level to see if they have wahtg it takes to make the next Olympic Team. Give the COACHES and the PLAYERS a BREAK! Although we would love to win the Grand Prix, I think a GOLD MEDAL in 2012 at the Olympics is the main objective! We still have a shot at making the final round. If we can win our pool, and someone else in the pool upset Russia we could be the 5th team. Please stay positive, and continue to support the team, cause they need support right now more than ever! GO USA volleyball!!! Simon
On August 09, 2009 Pong T wrote

These young team and new staff are learning and adjusting to this new things together. We should actually thank him and his team for stepping up to take this challenge and give the team sometime to grow. Hugh's approach is very process-driven/system approach which may not deliver big thing or meet expectation right way. We are here to support. Those unsuccessful attempts will guide them.
On August 09, 2009 Jason Texas wrote

Simon, I am sorry whether my comment seemed offensive, that is not my point. I swear!. I'm not exactly criticizing McCutcheon, he is a good coach, I know this very well. I just think that sometimes he is passing up some players that could help a lot the team and he doesn't give them the opportunity to show how important they could be, specially after the two defeats suffered in the first round(Heather Hughes, Nellie Spicer, Tracy Stalls). Yeah!, I am positive since the begin and I believe that all those problems can be solved. USA, USA...!!!.
On August 09, 2009 Jason Texas wrote

Oh...Pong T you are here too. Good!. Yeah, those unsuccessful attempts may guide them to the right direction (I hope so!). But, I don't know!. Sometimes I perceive a kind of indifference between Hugh and the women's team, I look at them and I see something like water and oil, I think you can understand what I mean. Perhaps Hugh is trying to impose the same kind of process that he did on the men's team and that is not working. Do you really think this partnership is going to be successful?.
On August 09, 2009 Simon Williams wrote

Jason, You didnt offend me at all, I just didnt agreed with the post....I have been watching the games on Universal sports, so if you have that channel in Texas please watch them, they will re-broadcast the games. The team is a very good group, but we just havent been able to pass the ball at all during critical parts of the games. The commentators says that the girls are learning new techniques when it comes to passing so maybe that will turn around. Also very few of these yound ladies have played together in the INTERNATIONAL game, ans we know that the international teams play much faster. Courtney is setting REALLY WELL when she gets a good pass, but I would have liked to see what Spicer would have did during the GP. Foluke has gotten limited swings, and even if Stalls, Paolini, or Hughes were playing we need players who have learned the new ball handling that has been taught to these players. All of the ladies at the training center can put the ball down, but we arent in the gym, with these ladies so maybe the staff see something different then we do. We still have a shot, if this happens: Brazil 12 Win Pool (+6) = 18 Netherlands 12 Win Pool (+6) = 18 China 11 2nd in Pool (+ 5) = 16 Germany 10 2nd in Pool(+5) = 15 Russia 9 3rd in Pool (+4) = 13 Japan 9 3rd in Pool (+4) = 13 Poland 8 4th in Pool (+3) = 11 Thailand 8 4th in Pool (+3) = 11 USA 8 WINS POOL (+6) = 14 Puerto Rico 7 2nd in Pool (+5) = 12 Dominican Rep 7 3rd in Pool (+4) = 11 Korea 7 4th in Pool (+3) = 10 OOH Jay, by the way ....we are still cool,If I get to Texas, this season.... maybe we can go to NC's an watch UT win Nationals this year.........HOOK'em.....lol!!
On August 10, 2009 Jason Texas wrote

Simon, although I am a little bit worried about the situation of our team I guess you can be right. U.S. team have a chance to classify to the final. However, they must win all the matches. If they have to improve something, they must do this as soon as possible. If they have something more to show us, this is the right time. The next round will be a kind of fire proof to them in this competition. If they want to show why U.S. volleyball is nº 2 in FIVB ranking, they must effort to the full to prove this.
On August 10, 2009 Bob Austria wrote

We are in a rebuilding process and I think we all know that. US has so many young talents and it’s just a matter of putting players in the right position and having the right chemistry. My thoughts on the individual talents, I think Nellie Spicer would be a good one to develop to be the main setter. Brasil rebuilds their system by mixing in some veteran players with the younger ones. I think that is a very good style. I saw collegiate players when I went to see how the US played in these last matches, ie., the blocking and hitting style, the passing errors, etc., they are not at the par of international level yet but that would be improved I’m sure.
On August 10, 2009 Jason Texas wrote

All the players are in the same level as the players from other teams. The team seems not to be at the same level as the others, yet. That is my concept!. Chemistry, this is all we need, you are right Bob. As for improvement, the team needs urgently and I hope that this can come out in the next round or the situation will go from bad to worst. We need to change this, we can change this!.
On August 11, 2009 Pong T wrote

Yes, I'm here with a good mix of hope and concern. I think the team could be better but I tried to respect his choice. Women's vball is quite difference from the men's. Therefore, not only the young players have to adjust, Hugh is probably adjusting himself too. The good news is he has Karch on his side. I was sitting behind both at the Pan Am. Hugh was quiet while Karch was criticizing the game with many good points. I am sure they have some good plans. John Speraw is pulled in to help with the Thailand one. I think they should do quite well this weekend. The recipe to win the US team? Do two things: serve the outside hitters and keep hitting line. Thompson is a great setter with silky touch. Her block just opens up the line too much. The passing is not good for most outside hitters except Larsen. When I watched the recent game with Dom. Rep., there were some adjustments to make up these weak points. Put McGinnis in and replace one OH with a DS.