COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 15, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s Pan American Cup Training Team defeated Canada 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 15-9 on Saturday in Murrieta, California, to split a two-match exhibition series.
For the second night in a row, outside hitter Roni Jones-Perry (West Jordan, Utah) led the U.S. with 19 points, which came on 17 kills and two blocks with converting 41 percent of her attacks. She also handled 39 of the team’s 76 receptions. Danielle Cuttino (Indianapolis, Indiana) turned in 16 points on nine kills and a match-high seven blocks from her opposite position.
“What a nice turnaround for this team tonight,” said Rob Browning, who is serving as head coach for the U.S. Pan American Cup Training Team, in regards to the Americans rebounding after being swept by Canada the day before. “(Friday’s) match with Canada was rough in just about every way, but this team showed a lot of maturity by pulling itself together and moving forward after last night’s lackluster performance. They settled down and played how they are capable of playing against a polished Canada team with some big-time attackers. We did everything better tonight, which is a huge step forward for this young team as it prepares for Pan Am Cup and the Pan Am Games.”
Outside hitter Kadie Rolfzen (Papillion, Nebraska) chipped in eight kills, two blocks and an ace for 11 points. Middle Hannah Tapp (Stewartville, Minnesota) converted six of her 12 attacks into kills and added three blocks for nine points.
Setter Madison Lilley (Overland Park, Kansas), who still has collegiate eligibility at University of Kentucky, set Team USA to a 40 kill percent and .230 hitting efficiency. She added three individual kills on three swings and an ace for four points. Middle Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) pocketed five kills on 13 swings in the victory, while Simone Lee (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) totaled four points as the double-sub opposite in all five sets.
Libero Gabby Curry (Buford, Georgia) was credited with a 53 positive reception percent on 17 reception chances. Rolfzen was 59 percent positive on 17 receptions.
The 14 players are competing for Pan American Cup roster spots along with a handful of other American players currently training in Anaheim. The Pan American Cup will take place July 4-15 in Lima, Peru. Team USA has won the annual event the past two years.
Later this month the U.S. Women’s Pan American Cup Training Team will hold an intrasquad scrimmage on June 28 at Irvine Valley College’s Hart Gym. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT after the U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team intrasquad match at 5 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door, which open one hour prior to the event.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster for Exhibitions versus Canada
Player (Pos, Height, College, Hometown)
4 – Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Nebraska, Cypress, California)
5 – Rachael Adams (M, 6-2, Texas, Cincinnati, Ohio)
7 – Sam Seliger-Swenson (S, 5-11, Minnesota, Minnetonka, Minnesota)
10 – Simone Lee (OH, 6-1, Penn State, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin)
19 – Hannah Tapp (M, 6-3, Minnesota, Stewartville, Minnesota)
26 – Kadie Rolfzen (OH, 6-3, Nebraska, Papillion, Nebraska)
29 – Kathyrn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Stanford, Aliso Viejo, California)
30 – Madison Lilley (S, 5-11, Kentucky, Overland Park, Kansas)
32 – Danielle Cuttino (OPP, 6-4, Purdue, Indianapolis, Indiana)
34 – Roni Jones-Perry (OH, 6-0, BYU, West Jordan, Utah)
37 – Sherridan Atkinson (OPP, 6-5, Purdue, Long Beach, California)
38 – Jenna Rosenthal (M, 6-6, Marquette, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)
40 – Brionne Butler (M, 6-4, Texas, Kendleton, Texas)
41 – Gabby Curry (L, 5-8, Kentucky, Buford, Georgia)
Head Coach: Rob Browning
Assistant Coaches: Laurie Corbelli, Tayyiba Haneef-Park
Technical Coordinator: Justin Chang
Team Leader: John Xie