COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 21, 2021) – The U.S. Girls U18 National Team got its journey at the FIVB World Championship off to a strong start with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-23) win over Thailand on Tuesday in Durango, Mexico.
The U.S. Girls (1-0) will continue preliminary-round pool play on Wednesday when it takes on Romania (1-0) at 3 p.m. PT (this time is updated from what was originally posted). Live stream will be available at youtu.be/ozljraScS8Q.
OFFICIAL STATISTICS * TEAM STATISTICS
Although Thailand challenged them, especially in the third set when it held a two-point lead much of the time, the U.S. Girls put together a strong match, leading in kills (43-30), blocks (7-4) and aces (7-2). Thailand scored 25 points on U.S. errors. Thailand committed 18 scoring errors.
“Thailand plays with a different spirit than any other team in the world,” U.S. Head Coach Jamie Morrison said. “I’ve always enjoyed playing against them at any level and it was a great opportunity for the girls to see that.”
“I think our patience was really good in getting used to their velocity and their attacking at different angles,” Middle blocker and Team Captain Bekka Allick said.
Outside hitter Mckenna Wucherer led all scorers with 16 points on a match-high 14 kills and two aces. Middle Maggie Mendelson added 13 points on 11 kills and two blocks. Allick totaled 10 points on seven kills, two blocks and one ace.
Outside hitter Harper Murray scored nine points on a match-high three blocks, a match-high four aces and two kills. Opposite Devin Kahahawai added eight points on eight kills. Backup opposite Caroline Jurevicius got one point on a kill.
Starting setter Alexis Stucky combined with backup Bergen Reilly to set the U.S. to a .376 hitting efficiency. Thailand hit .289. U.S. libero Laney Choboy was credited with a match-high nine digs and three successful receptions.
2021 U.S. Girls U18 National Team
Name (Pos., Height, Hometown, Region, Club)
1 Laney Choboy (L, 5-3, Raleigh, N.C., Carolina, NC Volleyball Academy)
4 Chloe Chicoine (OH/L, 5-10, Lafayette, Ind., Hoosier, Circle City)
6 Bergen Reilly (S, 6-1, Sioux Falls, S.D., North Country, Kairos Elite Volleyball)
7 Mckenna Wucherer (OH, 6-1, Brookfield , Wis., Badger, Milwaukee Sting)
10 Caroline Jurevicius (OPP, 6-2, Gates Mills, Ohio, Ohio Valley, Academy Volleyball Cleveland)
13 Harper Murray (OH, 6-2, Ann Arbor, Mich., Lakeshore, Legacy Volleyball Club)
14 Alexis Stucky (S, 6-2, Laramie, Wyo., Rocky Mountain, Northern Colorado Juniors)
16 Devin Kahahawai (OH, 6-3, Kailua, Hawaii, Aloha, Spike and Serve)
18 Eloise Brandewie (MB, 6-3, Columbus, Ohio, Ohio Valley, Mintonette)
19 Julia Blyashov (OH, 6-3, San Diego, Calif., Southern California, Wave Volleyball Club)
21 Bekka Allick (MB, 6-4, Waverly, Neb., Great Plains, VC Nebraska)
24 Maggie Mendelson (MB, 6-5, North Ogden, Utah, Intermountain, Hive Volleyball)
Head Coach: Jamie Morrison
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman-Smith
Assistant Coach: Alisha Glass Childress
Technical Coordinator: Mike Gee
Team Leader: Meredith Lee
Athletic Trainer: Wyatt Blue
U.S. Schedule for the FIVB U18 World Championship
(All times PT)
Live streams available at youtube.com
Sept. 21: USA def Thailand, 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-23)
Sept. 22 at 3 p.m. USA v Romania
Sept. 23 at noon USA v Puerto Rico
Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. USA v Nigeria
Sept. 25 Rest Day
Sept. 26-29 TBD