U.S. Women Atop 2026 VNL Standings After Week Two

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 26, 2026) –The U.S. Women’s National Team has an extra week of training before heading to Osaka, Japan, July 8-12, for the final week of preliminary-round play at the 2026 Volleyball Nations League.  Through the first two rounds, the U.S. sits atop the VNL standings with a 7-1 record and 20 points, putting itself firmly in contention for a spot in the Finals.

The VNL brings together the world’s top 18 teams for three weeks of preliminary play, with each team competing in four matches per week. Only the top eight teams will earn a spot in the Final Round, where a VNL title will be on the line.

The team’s strong start has been fueled by a blend of veteran leadership, Olympic experience, and the emergence of players who have stepped into key roles throughout the tournament. Second-year head coach Erik Sullivan has used a variety of lineups through the first eight matches, with different athletes stepping up throughout the competition.

The United States opened VNL play in Quebec City, Canada, where it finished Week One with a 3-1 record. After sweeping Ukraine in its opener, the U.S. fell to host Canada before rebounding with victories over France and Germany. The week provided an early test for the team, which saw solid play from two-time Olympian Jordan Thompson, back with the U.S. after taking 2025 off, and from 2024 Olympian Avery Skinner.

Simone Lee-Wank, who saw only limited playing time in 2024, twice led the U.S. in scoring, grabbing 16 points against Germany and 24 points in the five-set win over France.

That momentum carried into Week Two in Pasig City, Philippines, where the U.S. put together one of the most impressive stretches of the tournament. Bolstered by the addition of Olympians Chiaka Ogbogu, Jordyn Poulter and Dana Rettke, the Americans went a perfect 4-0, defeating the Dominican Republic, Czechia, Italy and Serbia.

The highlight came against world No. 1 Italy, as the United States earned a straight-set victory over the defending Olympic champion. By the end of the week, the U.S. had climbed to the top of the standings on set ratio, giving the team the inside track as the preliminary round enters its final stage.

Thompson and Ogbogu had major impacts in the second week. Thompson scored 15 points in each of their first two matches, while Ogbogu had six blocks against Czechia. Stephanie Samedy also made her mark, leading the U.S. in scoring against Italy with 12 points. In the last match against Serbia, it was Skinner who took the reins with 18 points.

With four matches remaining in preliminary-round play, the U.S. Women are well positioned to secure a place in the VNL Finals.

U.S. Women’s Schedule for the 2026 Volleyball Nations League
Matches will be shown live and on-demand on VBTV.
(All times PDT)

Week 1: Quebec City, Quebec
June 3 USA def. Ukraine, 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-23)
June 4 Canada def. USA, 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 30-28)
June 5 USA def. France, 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 27-25, 23-25, 15-11)
June 7 USA def. Germany, 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-12)

Week 2: Philippines
June 16 USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-12)
June 18 USA def. Czechia, 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-16)
June 20 USA def. Italy, 3-0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-16)
June 20 USA def. Serbia, 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-16, 25-19)

Week 3: Osaka, Japan
July 7 at 11:30 p.m. vs. Thailand
July 8 at 9 p.m. vs. Poland
July 9 at 9 p.m. vs. Türkiye
July 11 at 8 p.m. vs. Brazil