COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 27, 2017) – The U.S. Girls Youth National Team finished in eighth place at the FIVB Girls U18 World Championship after losing to Argentina Sunday 25-17, 25-19, 19-25, 30-28 in Rosario, Argentina.

Argentina (6-2) in front of their home crowd had their best World Championships finish since 1991.

The U.S. (3-5) started the tournament with a tough pool, but they battled out of pool play, beating Brazil, the 2017 South American champions, which started a three-match winning streak, qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Russia and Italy, two teams that beat the U.S., are playing today for medals. Italy is looking to defend their 2015 FIVB Girls U18 World title against the Dominican Republic. Russia plays Turkey for the bronze.

Team USA Starters

Libero: Brooke Nuneviller
Setter: Selina Xu
Middles: Holly Campbell, Kendall Kipp
Opposite: Mica Allison
Outside Hitters: Skylar Fields, Madi Kubik

Team USA Stat Leaders

Points: Kendall Kipp, 15; Skylar Fields, 12; Mica Allison, 10; Holly Campbell, 9
Kills: Kendall Kipp, 9; Madi Kubik, 7; Holly Campbell, 6; Mica Allison, 6
Blocks: Mica Allison, 4; Kendall Kipp, 3; Selina Xu, 3; Skylar Fields, 2; Holly Campbell, 2
Aces: Skylar Fields, 5; Kendall Kipp, 3

The offense was diversified today with the middles getting more involved in the attack. Middle Kendall Kipp leading U.S. scorers with 15 points with nine kills on 17 attempts, plus, three blocks and three aces. Outside hitter Skylar Fields scored 12 points, five kills on 18 attempts, two blocks and five aces. Opposite Mica Allison had 10 points, six kills on 18 attempts, with four blocks.

“Today’s match was kind of our tournament encapsulated,” said head coach Jim Stone. “We had chances to win points and win sets, but throughout the tournament, we just made too many errors per set and it comes back to bite you.”

The U.S. had 40 errors in four sets today.

“But I thought our team fought hard,” said the coach. “They gave good effort and we came close. We didn’t play well enough to get over the hump.”

The tournament like this featuring athletes under 18 years of age is an opportunity to learn.

“I hope they leave here smarter and wiser, understanding the international game a little bit more,” said the coach. “There’s all sorts of learning opportunities that they’ve been exposed to. Hopefully, they take it and move forward in a good direction.”

Team USA Matches

Aug. 19 … USA v. Russia … L … 25-17, 25-20, 25-19
Aug. 20 … USA v. Belarus … L … 25-20, 25-13, 21-25, 25-20
Aug. 21 … USA v. Brazil … W … 26-24, 19-25, 8-25, 25-19, 15-11
Aug. 22 … USA v. Mexico … W … 17-25, 24-26, 25-19, 30-28, 15-10
Aug. 23 … USA v. Slovenia … W … 25-21, 25-18, 25-22
Aug. 25 … USA v. Italy … L … 25-7, 25-16, 25-15
Aug. 26 … USA v. Germany … L … 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17
Aug. 27 … USA v. Argentina … L … 25-17, 25-19, 19-25, 30-28

In 2013, the U.S. Girls Youth National Team made history, becoming the first U.S. volleyball team of either gender to win a world championship medal at the youth or junior level, taking the silver after losing to China in the final in Thailand. In 2015, the U.S. earned another silver in the World Championship final against Italy.

The U.S., ranked No. 1 in the world, competed in Pool B along with Russia, the 2017 European U18 champions; Brazil, the 2017 South American champions, plus, Belarus and Mexico.

2017 U.S. Girls Youth National Team

# — Name (Position, Ht., Hometown, Club, Region)
3 – Brooke Nuneviller – L, 5-11, Chandler, Ariz., Aspire, Arizona
4 – Mica Allison – OPP/S, 6-0, White Heath, Ill., Illini Elite, Great Lakes
5 – Nicklin Hames – S, 5-11, Maryville, Tenn., K2 Volleyball, Southern
6 – Selina Xu – S, 6-0, San Carlos, Calif., Vision Volleyball, Northern California
8 – Madison Williams – OH, 6-1, Grand Prairie, Texas, Texas Advantage, North Texas
9 – Logan Eggleston – OH, 6-3, Franklin, Tenn., Alliance, Southern
11 – Skylar Fields – OH, 6-2, Missouri City, Texas, Houston Juniors, Lone Star
14 – Madi Kubik – OH, 6-2, West Des Moines, Iowa, Central Iowa Select, Iowa
15 – Kendall Kipp – M/OPP, 6-5, Newport Beach, Calif., Laguna Beach, Southern California
16 – Madison Horin – M, 6-3, Munster, Ind., First Alliance, Great Lakes
17 – Holly Campbell – M, 6-3, Austin, Texas, Austin Juniors, Lone Star
19 – Taylor Landfair – OH, 6-4, Plainfield, Ill., Elite Sports Performance, Great Lakes

Team USA Staff

Head Coach: Jim Stone
Asst. Coach: Michelle Chatman-Smith
Asst. Coach: Michael Gee
Head of Delegation: Lizzy Briones
Technical Coordinator: Herb Summer