U.S. Women Open USAV Cup with 3-2 Win

LONG BEACH, California (July 10, 2024) – The U.S. Women’s National Team overcame a rough start and beat Netherlands 3-2 (22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-10, 15-12) at the USA Volleyball Cup presented by hoag on Wednesday at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach.

The two teams will battle again at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday as both prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which begin July 26.

U.S. outside hitter Avery Skinner came through in the clutch for the U.S. Women on Wednesday. She led all scorers with 27 points on a match-high 25 kills (.561 hitting percentage) and two blocks.

Overall, the U.S. led Netherlands in kills (67-48) and blocks (14-12). Netherlands held the 4-3 edge in aces, but was also charged with 18 service errors compared to 11 for the U.S.

“This was a perfect example of why these matches are so helpful,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “It wasn’t always pretty. Sometimes it was ugly on our side. Sometimes it was ugly on Netherlands’ side. Both sides were playing to win but we are both using these matches to prepare to be our best in Paris.”

Opposite Jordan Thompson, who started the final three sets in a pre-planned switch with opposite Annie Drews, scored 13 points on 12 kills and one ace. Middle blocker Dana Rettke also scored 13 points on nine kills (.500), three blocks and one ace.

Outside hitter Kelsey Robinson Cook finished with 10 points on eight kills, one block and one ace. Middle Chiaka Ogbogu totaled nine points on six kills and three blocks. Drews finished with eight points on six kills and two blocks before leaving the match after the second set.

Setter Lauren Carlini scored four points on three blocks and one kill. She set the U.S. to a .325 hitting efficiency. Libero Justine Wong-Orantes finished with 15 receptions, 68 percent positive. Cook led in receptions with 33, 61 percent positive.

The teams were tied 11-11 in the fifth set when Carlini scored on a kill off the block. Thompson and Skinner each followed with a kill. Cook got the final kill of the match to give the U.S. Women the win.

U.S. Women’s Roster
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)
1 Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Okla., Penn State Univ., Oklahoma)
2 Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, Aurora, Colo., Univ. of Illinois, Rocky Mountain)
3 Avery Skinner (OH, 6-1, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky, Lone Star)
4 Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
6 Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford Univ., Pioneer)
7 Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, Aurora, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
10 Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Univ. of Nebraska, Great Plains)
11 Annie Drews (Opp, 6-4, Elkhart, Ind., Purdue Univ., Hoosier)
12 Jordan Thompson (Opp, 6-4, Edina, Minn., Univ. of Cincinnati, North Country)
13 Sarah Wilhite Parsons (OH, 6-2, Eden Prairie, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota, North Country)
14 Anna Stevenson Hall (MB, 6-2, Laurens, S.C., Univ. of Louisville, Palmetto)
15 Haleigh Washington (MB, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colo., Penn State Univ., Rocky Mountain)
16 Dana Rettke (MB, 6-8, Riverside, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
22 Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Stanford Univ., Southern California)
23 Kelsey Robinson Cook (OH, 6-2, Bartlett, Ill., Univ. of Nebraska, Great Lakes)
24 Chiaka Ogbogu (MB, 6-2, Coppell, Texas, Univ. of Texas, North Texas)
29 Khalia Lanier (OH/Opp, 6-2, Scottsdale, Ariz., Univ. of Southern California, Arizona)

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coaches: Tama Miyashiro, Erin Virtue,  Alfee Reft
Consultant Coach: Marv Dunphy
Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel
Performance Analyst: Rianne Verhoek
Team Leader: Coley Pawlikowski
Mental Performance Coach: Katy Stanfill
Culture Consultant: Sue Enquist
Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Massage Therapist: Ricardo Brambila
Team Doctor: Dr. Lori Boyajian-O’Neill

Netherlands Roster
No. Name (Position, Height)
4 Celeste Plak (Opp, 6-3)
5 Jolien Knollema (OH, 6-2)
7 Juliët Lohuis (MB, 6-4)
10 Sarah Van Aalen (S, 6-1)
11 Anne Buijs (OH, 6-3)
12 Britt Bongaerts (S, 6-1)
14 Laura Dijkema (S, 6-0)
16 Indy Baijens (MB, 6-4)
18 Marit Jasper (OH, 5-11)
19 Nika Daalderop (OH, 6-3)
23 Eline Timmerman (MB, 6-3)
25 Florien Reesink (L, 5-9)
26 Elles Dambrink (Opp, 6-1)
33 Nova Marring (OH, 6-0)

Head Coach: Felix Koslowski
Assistant Coach: Eric Meijer
Performance Analyst: Olaf Garbe
Physiotherapist: Marta Gutierrez Perez
Physiotherapist: Alewijn Huisman
Physical Preparation: Alessandro Bracceschi
Team Manager: Karel Eggen