U.S. Women Open Olympic Qualifier with Win over Colombia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 16, 2023) – The U.S. Women’s National Team got a great start at the Road to Paris Olympic qualifying tournament, defeating Colombia 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-13) on Saturday in Łódź, Poland.

At the quSalifier, eight teams will each play seven matches over nine days. The top two teams will qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games.

The U.S. Women will play Thailand at 5:30 a.m. PT on Sunday.

OFFICIAL STATISTICS

The U.S. Women dominated the statistics against Colombia, leading in kills (44-24), blocks (9-2) and aces (6-1). The U.S. scored 16 points on Colombia’s errors and gave up 10.

“I think our mindset is to try to play better every point that we play,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly told Volleyball World. “We’ve been playing some different lineups throughout this year in the Volleyball Nations League and the NORCECA Championship and we’re looking to find the best rhythm and teamwork as possible. We were off to a nice start.”

Setter Lauren Carlini started and played most of the match. Ashley Evans took over during the third set. The two combined to set the U.S. to a .506 hitting efficiency.

Middle blocker Dana Rettke led all scorers with 11 points on seven kills (.666), three blocks and one ace.

Opposite Jordan Thompson added 10 points on seven kills and a match-high three aces.

Outside hitter Kelsey (Robinson) Cook totaled nine points on six kills and three blocks.

Middle Chiaka Ogbogu scored nine points on six kills, two blocks and one ace.

Outside hitter Jordan Larson totaled six points on six kills. Carlini added five points on three kills, one block and one ace.

Opposite Annie Drews played as a substitute scoring four points on four kills. Outside hitter Ali Frantti subbed in and scored three points on three kills.

Middle Haleigh Washington and outside hitter Kathryn Plummer each scored one point on a kill.

Libero Justine Wong-Orantes was credited with nine digs. Carlini led the team with 10. Cook led in successful receptions with 12.

The U.S. Women are ranked No. 2 in the world and are the defending Olympic champions. The U.S. Women have competed in 12 Olympic Games, including the last 10. They have won one gold medal, three silver and two bronze.

Matches will be shown on VolleyballWorld.tv.

U.S. Women’s Roster for 2023 Road to Paris Olympic Qualifier

No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)
4C Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
5 Ali Frantti (OH, 6-1, Spring Grove, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
6 Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford Univ., Pioneer)
7 Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, Aurora, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
10 Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Univ. of Nebraska, Great Plains)
11 Annie Drews (Opp, 6-4, Elkhart, Ind., Purdue Univ., Hoosier)
12 Jordan Thompson (Opp, 6-4, Edina, Minn., Univ. of Cincinnati, 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)
22 Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)
23 Kelsey (Robinson) Cook (OH, 6-2, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
24 Chiaka Ogbogu (MB, 6-2, Coppell, Texas, Univ. of Texas, North Texas)
27 Avery Skinner (OH, 6-1, Katy, Texas, Baylor, Lone Star)
28 Ashley Evans (S, 6-1, Liberty Township, Ohio, Purdue, Ohio Valley)

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coach: Tama Miyashiro
Second Assistant Coaches: Alfee Reft, Erin Virtue, Marv Dunphy
Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Performance Analyst: Rianne Verhoek
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel
Team Manager: Coley Pawlikowski
Team Doctor: Mark Hutchinson
Athletic Trainer: Jackie Chan
Nutritionist: Shawn Hueglin
Massage Therapist: Luis Hernandez
Mental Performance Coach: Sue Enquist
Performance Analyst: Matthieu Van Der Broeke

U.S. Schedule for the Road to Paris Olympic Qualifier
(all times PT)
Sept. 16 USA def Colombia, 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-13)
Sept. 17 at 5:30 a.m. USA vs Thailand (world No. 14)
Sept. 19 at 11:30 a.m. USA vs Slovenia (world No. 25)
Sept. 20 at 5:30 a.m. USA vs Korea (world No. 36)
Sept. 22 at 11:45 a.m. USA vs Italy (world No. 5)
Sept. 23 at 8:30 a.m. USA vs Poland (world No. 7)
Sept. 24 at 8:30 a.m. USA vs Germany (world No. 12)