U.S. Women Finish VNL with Quarterfinal Loss to Serbia

U.S. Women's National Team competing at VNL

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 13, 2022) – The U.S. Women’s National Team will not be defending its FIVB Volleyball Nations League title after a hard-fought 3-2 (29-27, 25-23, 20-25, 20-25, 15-13) quarterfinal loss to Serbia on Wednesday in Ankara, Türkiye.

The U.S. Women (11-2) were the three-time defending VNL champions. They are ranked No. 1 in the world.

Wednesday’s quarterfinal was a roller coaster of a match with the U.S. Women having to come back from an 0-2 set deficit.

OFFICIAL STATISTICS

It looked like the U.S. might come back one more time in set 5. With Serbia leading 13-8, the U.S. Women scored three straight points on two Serbia hitting errors and a block from Chiaka Ogbogu.

Serbia reached match point at 14-12 with a kill by scoring-leader Sara Lozo (22 points). The U.S. Women held off the loss with Ogbogu’s sixth block of the match to make it 14-13. But a final U.S. hitting error gave Serbia the win.

Led by Ogbogu, the U.S. Women dominated the blocking, 21-14. Serbia led in kills (67-66) and aces (6-3). The U.S. had 22 scoring errors and Serbia had 23.

Outside hitter Kelsey Robinson led the U.S. scoring 21 points on 17 kills and four blocks. Outside hitter Ali Frantti, who subbed in the second set and started the final three, scored 16 points on 14 kills and two blocks. Ogbogu at middle blocker had six kills to go with her six blocks.

Starting opposite Jordan Thompson scored 11 points on nine kills and two blocks. Opposite Annie Drews, who started the final three sets, scored 11 points on 10 kills and one block.

Middle Haleigh Washington totaled seven points on three kills, three blocks and one ace.

Outside hitter Kathryn Plummer started the first two sets and scored six points on five kills and one block. Setter Jordyn Poulter scored five points on one kill, two blocks and two aces.

Outside hitter Sarah Wilhite Parsons played as a substitute and scored one point with a kill.

Libero Justine Wong-Orantes was credited with 10 digs and six successful receptions. Robinson led the team in digs with 14. Plummer and Frantti were each credited with 11 successful receptions.

Setter Lauren Carlini also played as a substitute in the first set.

U.S. Women’s Roster for 2022 VNL Final Round
No. Name (Pos., Ht, Hometown, College, USAV Region)

2 Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, Aurora, Colo., Univ. of Illinois, Great Lakes)
3 Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Stanford Univ., Southern California)
4 Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
5 Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford Univ., Pioneer)
7 Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, Aurora, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
8 Hannah Tapp (MB, 6-3, Stewartville, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota, North Country)
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)
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)
23 Kelsey Robinson (OH, 6-2, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
24 Chiaka Ogbogu (MB, 6-2, Coppell, Texas, Univ. of Texas, North Texas)
30 Ali Frantti (OH, 6-1, Spring Grove, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coaches: Erin Virtue, Tama Miyashiro, Alfee Reft
Performance Analyst: Brian Hurler
Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Consultant Coach: Sue Enquist
Team Manager: Coley Pawlikowski
Sports Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel

2022 U.S. Women’s VNL Schedule (All times PDT)

Week 1 – Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
May 31-June 5
USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-18)
USA def Canada, 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-19)
USA def Brazil, 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-18)
Japan def USA, 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-20)

Week 2 – Quezon City, Philippines
June 15-19
USA def Bulgaria, 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20)
USA def Poland, 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-16)
USA def China, 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-21)
USA def Thailand, 3-1 (17-25, 25-13, 25-23, 25-18)

Week 3 – Calgary, Canada
June 29-July 4
USA def Belgium, 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-19)
USA def Serbia, 3-0 (25-17, 33-31, 25-16)
USA def. Türkiye, 3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 27-25, 23-25, 18-16)
USA def. Germany, 3-1 (25-17, 25-13, 13-25, 25-22)

Final Round: Ankara, Türkiye
Quarterfinals
July 13
Brazil def Japan, 3-1 (29–27, 28–26, 20–25, 25–14)
Serbia def USA, 3-2 (29-27, 25-23, 20-25, 20-25, 15-13)