COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Kimberly DiCello and Emily Stockman registered a team-best finish on the FIVB World Tour after tying for fifth in Sydney, Australia.

DiCello and Stockman finished fifth after falling to Canada in the quarterfinals. Amanda Dowdy and Whitney Pavlik tied for ninth at the tournament.

The 2-Star women’s only event was played with a single elimination main draw of 24 teams. The U.S. had just two teams in the main draw. Dowdy/Pavlik beat Japan 21-17, 21-17 in the round of 24 before being eliminated in three, 22-24, 21-16, 15-13, by Canada’s Julie Gordon/Camille Saxton in the round of 16.

In their first match of the tournament, DiCello/Stockman bested Australia’s Katie Bartoli/Christine Jenkins 21-11, 21-14 in the round of 16. On to the quarterfinals, the Americans met their match with Canada’s Gordon/Saxton, being eliminated by a score of 21-16, 23-21.

It was the first tournament of the FIVB season for Dowdy and Pavlik, while DiCello and Stockman improved on their 33rd-place finish at Fort Lauderdale 5-Star in February.

WEEK IN REVIEW
Sydney 2-Star
– Kimberly DiCello/Emily Stockman tied for fifth, tying Stockman’s best FIVB finish, best FIVB finish for the pair
– Amanda Dowdy/Whitney Pavlik tied for ninth, Dowdy’s third career FIVB Top 10 finish, best FIVB finish for Pavlik since 2014

Sydney 2-Star Roster
Athletes    Entry
Emily StockmanKimberly DiCelloMain Draw
Amanda DowdyWhitney PavlikMain Draw
Kerri SchuhAurora DavisReserve