U.S. Sweeps Dominican Republic to End 2024 VNL Week 1
Wishing the best for our team USA! Here are some updates courtesy of the U.S. Women’s National Team:
The U.S. Women’s National Team ended the first round of Volleyball Nations League preliminary play on a high note with a sweep (25-23, 25-20, 25-18) of the Dominican Republic on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.
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 U.S. Women (2-2) will return to Anaheim, California, before heading to the next round on May 26-June 2 in Arlington, Texas.
The U.S. Women dominated on the attack, leading the Dominican Republic in kills 51-35. The U.S. also led in aces 4-1. The Dominican led in blocks 11-6 and the teams tied in scoring errors 14-14.
U.S. outside hitter Avery Skinner led all scorers with 18 points on a match-high 18 kills. She also had 10 digs and seven receptions.
“We’re happy with how we finished,” Skinner told Volleyball World. “We wanted to come out strong today. We’re going to get back in the gym and work hard for week 2.”
Middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu added 12 points on seven kills and a match-high five blocks. Outside Jordan Larson scored 11 points on nine kills and a match-high two aces. Larson led the U.S. in digs with 13.
Sarah Wilhite Parsons, who made her first start at opposite for the U.S. Women, scored nine points on seven kills, one block and one ace. Madi Skinner, who substituted at opposite in every set, scored five points on five kills.
Middle Anna Stevenson Hall, playing in a clear facemask after getting hit in the face with an attack on Friday, scored five points on five kills.
Setter Jordyn Poulter scored two points on two kills. Libero Justine Wong-Orantes had 11 successful receptions and 10 digs.
Setter Lauren Carlini and outside Ali Frantti played as substitutes.
The first set was tied 13-13 when the Dominican scored three points on two kills off the block and a block. The Dominican still let 18-15 when the U.S. scored three straight points on two Dominican errors and a kill from Larson. With the teams still tied at 22, the U.S. scored twice on a Poulter dump and Ogbogu kill to reach set point. The DR held off the loss with a kill. But Larson ended it with a kill.
In the second and third sets, the U.S. took early leads and never trailed.
The U.S. Women are the reigning Olympic champions and ranked No. 2 in the world. They have won the VNL three times (2018, ’19, ’21) since its inception in 2018. In 2023, they finished fourth overall.
The U.S. Women are the reigning Olympic champions and went into VNL ranked No. 2 in the world. They have won the VNL three times (2018, ’19, ’21) since its inception in 2018. In 2023, they finished fourth overall.
About Volleyball World
Volleyball World was created in 2021 to provide fans, athletes, partners, and other sport afficionados with the ultimate volleyball and beach volleyball experience.
The organization aims to grow the sport’s two principal disciplines and attract new fans to the intense action and unique courtside entertainment which can be expected at its events.
Together with their main partner, the FIVB, Volleyball World organizes volleyball and beach volleyball events all year round and provides fans with worldwide coverage of the sport online.
About Volleyball Nations League
The Volleyball Nations League was launched in 2018, building on the innovative sports presentation on display at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
In both the men’s and women’s leagues, 16 teams battle to become Volleyball Nations League champion. A total of 104 matches per gender will be played across the Preliminary and Final phases, with every team playing a minimum of 12 matches.
By pushing the boundaries of technology, innovation and digital broadcasting, spectators at home witness new and diverse angles, showcasing the world-class athleticism of each nation’s best players, while the in-stadium experience is no less impressive, boosted by the implementation of a new concept called active engagement, where fans are involved in every rally.
VNL Press Photos: Credit Volleyball World
