U.S. Women Shock Brazil with Sweep

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 18, 2023) – The U.S. Women’s National Team ended the second round of preliminary play at the Volleyball Nations League on a high note with a sweep (25-22. 25-19, 25-22) of host Brazil on Sunday in Brasilia.

The U.S. Women (5-1) get a week off and will be back in action on June 28 against Poland in Korea.

MATCH STATISTICS

The U.S. Women jumped out to leads in every set, then held on while Brazil mounted furious comeback attempts before a crowd estimated at approximately 10,000. Brazil is ranked No. 1 in the world and the U.S. Women are No. 2.

The U.S. led in kills (46-43) and aces (7-2) and scored 16 points on Brazil’s errors while committing nine. The U.S. hitting efficiency was .381 behind setter Micha Hancock.

Brazil led in blocks (9-6) and hit .288.

Opposite Jordan Thompson led all scorers with 15 points on a match-high 13 kills and two aces.

“We have so much respect for Brazil as a program,” Thompson said. “We always know it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a fun, high-energy match.

“Props to our coaches for a great scouting plan. We contained them well and tried to force them into things that weren’t so comfortable.”

Outside hitter Kathryn Plummer added 14 points on 11 kills and a match-high three aces. Plummer and libero Morgan Hentz each finished with nine digs. Plummer was credited with five successful receptions. Hentz was credited with two.

Outside hitter Khalia Lanier scored 12 points on 12 kills. Middle blocker Haleigh Washington totaled eight points on five kills and a team-high three blocks.

Middle Asjia O’Neal scored four points on three kills and one block.

Setter Micha Hancock totaled three points on two aces and a kill. Opposite Danielle Cuttino played a key role as a substitute in the second set, scoring on a kill and two blocks in the final points of the set.

Volleyball Nations League is the world’s premier annual international indoor volleyball tournament. The top 16 teams in the world play four matches a week for three weeks of preliminary competition. The top eight teams at the end of the preliminaries will go to the Final Round.

The United States will host the 2023 Women’s VNL Final Round on July 12-16 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, which means the U.S. automatically qualifies.

Get tickets for the final round at tickets.volleyballworld.com/arlington.

U.S. Women’s Roster for 2023 VNL Week 2
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)

1 Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Okla., Penn State Univ., Oklahoma)
3 Kendall White (L, 5-5, Zionsville, Ind., Penn State, Hoosier)
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)
8  Brionne Butler (MB, 6-4, Kendleton, Texas, Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)
12 Jordan Thompson (Opp, 6-4, Edina, Minn., Univ. of Cincinnati, North Country)
14 Anna (Stevenson) Hall (MB, 6-2, Laurens S.C., Univ. of Louisville, Palmetto)
15 Haleigh Washington (MB, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colo., Penn State Univ., Rocky Mountain)
20 Danielle Cuttino (Opp, 6-4, Indianapolis, Ind., Purdue, Hoosier)
22 Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)
26 Asjia O’Neal (MB, 6-3, Southlake, 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)
29 Khalia Lanier (OH, 6-2, Scottsdale, Ariz., Univ. of Southern California, Arizona)

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coach: Tama Miyashiro
Second Assistant Coaches: Marv Dunphy, Alfee Reft, Erin Virtue
Performance Analyst: Rianne Verhoek
Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Team Doctor: William Briner
Team Manager: Coley Pawlikowski

U.S. Women’s Schedule for the 2023 VNL
All matches will be broadcast on volleyballworld.tv

Week 1 at Antalya, Türkiye
May 31: USA def. Serbia 3-2 (25-20, 19-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-12)
June 2: USA def. Italy 3-2 (25-16, 14-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-9)
June 3: USA def. Korea 3-0 (25-16, 27-25, 25-11)
June 4: USA def. Türkiye 3-2 (25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 11-25, 15-9)

Week 2 at Brasilia, Brazil
June 13 USA def. Croatia 3-1 (17-22, 25-22, 25-18, 25-15)
June 15 USA def. Thailand 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-16)
June 17 Japan def. USA 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 15-6)
June 18 USA def Brazil 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-22)

Week 3 (all times PT) at Suwon, Korea
June 27 at 11:30 p.m. USA vs Poland
June 28 at 11:30 p.m. USA vs Bulgaria
July 1 at 1:30 a.m. USA vs Germany
July 2 at 1:30 a.m. USA vs China

Final Round on July 12-16 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas