2013 US Women's Volleyball Yearbook

2013 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Yearbook Youth Gains Experience; Committed to Learning in 2013 25-6 Overall / 13-6 vs. Top 10 in World Gold Medals: Pan Am Cup & NORCECA Championship Silver Medal: FIVB World Grand Champions Cup

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Table of Contents Cover Page............................................................................................................................................ 1 Table of Contents................................................................................................................................... 2 U.S. Women’s National Team Rosters for 2013 Tournaments.................................................................. 3 2013 Season Review for U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team.........................................................4-5 2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Season Statistics.............................................................. 6 2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Schedule.......................................................................... 7 2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team End-of-Year Awards.......................................................8-9 2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Match-by-Match Review............................................10-75 2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Player Bios..............................................................76-100 Glossary of Volleyball Terms............................................................................................................... 101 2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Staff Bios...............................................................102-107 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Past Olympians...................................................................... 108 All-Time U.S. Women’s Olympic Volleyball Team Members in Pictures................................................ 109 All-Time U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team Results..............................................................110-111 U.S. All-Time Versus International Competition................................................................................... 112 International Volleyball Fact Sheet...............................................................................................113-115 USA Volleyball Fact Sheet................................................................................................................... 116

Credits: The 2013 U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Yearbook is a copyrighted publication produced by USA Volleyball.

Design and Contents: Bill Kauffman, USA Volleyball Senior Manager of Communications USA Volleyball, 4065 Sinton Road, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: (719) 228-6800 E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org Web Site: www.usavolleyball.org

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2013 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Rosters Pan American Cup * June 10-16 at Lima, Peru

FIVB World Grand Prix Roster * Aug. 2 to Sept. 1

# - Name (Position, Height, Hometown, College) 1 – Alisha Glass (S, 6-0, Leland, Mich., Penn State) 7 – Cassidy Lichtman (OH, 6-1, Poway, Calif., Stanford) 8 – Lauren Gibbemeyer (MB, 6-2, St. Paul, Minn., Minnesota) 11 – Megan Hodge (OH, 6-3, Durham, N.C., Penn State) 12 – Kayla Banwarth (L, 5-10, Dubuque, Iowa, Nebraska) 14 – Nicole Fawcett (Opp, 6-4, Zanesfield, Ohio, Penn State) 16 – Kim Hill (OH, 6-4, Portland, Ore., Pepperdine) 17 – Lauren Paolini (MB, 6-4, Ann Arbor, Mich., Texas) 20 – Jenna Hagglund (S, 5-10, West Chester, Ohio, Washington) 22 – Rachael Adams (MB, 6-2, Cincinnati, Ohio, Texas) 24 – Kristin Hildebrand (OH, 6-1, Orem, Utah, Stanford) 25 – Kelly Murphy (Opp, 6-2, Wilmington, Ill., Florida)

# - Name (Position, Height, Spike Touch, Block Touch, Hometown, College) 1 - #^$# Alisha Glass (S, 6-0, Leland, Mich., Penn State) 3 - ^ Courtney Thompson (S, 5-8, Kent, Wash., Washington) 5 - #^$# Tamari Miyashiro (L, 5-7, Kaneohe, Hawaii, Washington) 7 - #^$# Cassidy Lichtman (OH, 6-1, Poway, Calif., Stanford) 8 - #^$# Lauren Gibbemeyer (MB, 6-2, St. Paul, Minn., Minnesota) 10 - #^$# Kristin Hildebrand (OH, 6-1, Orem, Utah, Stanford) 12 - #^$# Kayla Banwarth (L, 5-10, Dubuque, Iowa, Nebraska) 13 - #^$# Christa Harmotto (MB, 6-2, Hopewell Township, Pa., Penn State) 14 - #$# Nicole Fawcett (OPP, 6-4, Zanesfield, Ohio, Penn State) 15 - #^$# Kelly Murphy (OPP, 6-2, Wilmington, Ill., Florida) 16 - #^$# Kim Hill (OH, 6-4, Portland, Ore., Pepperdine) 17 - #^$# Lauren Paolini (MB, 6-4, Ann Arbor, Mich., Texas) 18 - #^$# Regan Hood (OH, 6-2, Dallas, Texas, LSU) 19 - ^ Juliann Faucette (OPP, 6-2, San Diego, Calif., Texas) 20 - #$# Jenna Hagglund (S, 5-10, West Chester, Ohio, Washington) 22 - #^$# Rachael Adams (MB, 6-2, Cincinnati, Ohio, Texas) # - Selected for Week 1 Roster at Campinas, Brazil ^ - Selected for Week 2 Roster at Belgrade, Serbia $ - Selected for Week 3 Roster at Sendai, Japan * - Selected for Final Round Roster at Sapporo, Japan

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly Assistant Coaches: Reed Sunahara, Tom Black Technical Coordinator: Joe Trinsey Physiotherapist: Jill Wosmek Team Manager: Rob Browning

USA Volleyball Cup * July 10, 12, 13

# - Name (Pos, Ht, Spike, Block, Hometown, College) 1 - #$ Alisha Glass (S, 6-0, Leland, Mich., Penn State) 2 - $^ Danielle Scott (MB, 6-2, Baton Rouge, La., Long Beach State) 3 - $^ Courtney Thompson (S, 5-8, Kent, Wash., Washington) 5 – ^ Tamari Miyashiro (L, 5-7, Kaneohe, Hawaii, Washington) 6 - #$ Nicole Davis (L, 5-4, Stockton, Calif., Southern California) 7 - #$^ Cassidy Lichtman (OH, 6-1, Poway, Calif., Stanford) 8 - #$ Lauren Gibbemeyer (MB, 6-2, St. Paul, Minn., Minnesota) 10 - $^ Jordan Larson-Burbach (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Nebraska) 12 - #$^ Kayla Banwarth (L, 5-10, Dubuque, Iowa, Nebraska) 14 - #$^ Nicole Fawcett (OPP, 6-4, Zanesfield, Ohio, Penn State) 17 - #$^ Lauren Paolini (MB, 6-4, Ann Arbor, Mich., Texas) 18 - # Regan Hood (OH, 6-2, Dallas, Texas, LSU) 20 – #^ Jenna Hagglund (S, 5-10, West Chester, Ohio, Washington) 22 - #$^ Rachael Adams (MB, 6-2, Cincinnati, Ohio, Texas) 24 - #$ Kristin Hildebrand (OH, 6-1, Orem, Utah, Stanford) 25 - $^ Kelly Murphy (OPP, 6-2, Wilmington, Ill., Florida) 26 - #$^ Kim Hill (OH, 6-4, Portland, Ore., Pepperdine) 28 – #^ Cursty Jackson (MB, 6-2, Los Angeles, Arizona) 39 – ^ Sonja Newcombe (OH, 6-1, Lake Arrowhead, Calif., Oregon) # - Selected for July 10 at UC San Diego, La Jolla, Calif. $ - Selected for July 12 at Long Beach State, Long Beach, Calif. ^ - Selected for July 13 at JSerra High School, San Juan Capistrono, Calif.

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly Assistant Coaches: Reed Sunahara (#^$*), Tom Black (#^), Cecile Reynaud ($*) Technical Coordinator: Joe Trinsey Athletic Trainer: Jill Wosmek Team Leader: Cecile Reynaud (#^), Kenny Sullivan ($), Craig Thompson (*)

NORCECA Continental Championship * Sept. 16-21 at Omaha, Neb. # - Name (Position, Height, Hometown, College) 1 - Alisha Glass (S, 6-0, Leland, Mich., Penn State) 7 - Cassidy Lichtman (OH, 6-1, Poway, Calif., Stanford) 8 - Lauren Gibbemeyer (MB, 6-2, St. Paul, Minn., Minnesota) 9 - Kristin Hildebrand (OH, 6-1, Orem, Utah, Stanford) 10 – Jordan Larson-Burbach (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Nebraska) 12 - Kayla Banwarth (L, 5-10, Dubuque, Iowa, Nebraska) 13 - Christa Harmotto (MB, 6-2, Hopewell Township, Pa., Penn State) 14 - Nicole Fawcett (OPP, 6-4, Zanesfield, Ohio, Penn State) 15 - Kelly Murphy (OPP, 6-2, Wilmington, Ill., Florida) 17 - Lauren Paolini (MB, 6-4, Ann Arbor, Mich., Texas) 20 - Jenna Hagglund (S, 5-10, West Chester, Ohio, Washington) 24 - Kim Hill (OH, 6-4, Portland, Ore., Pepperdine) Head Coach: Karch Kiraly Assistant Coaches: Reed Sunahara, Mike Hebert Technical Coordinator: Joe Trinsey Athletic Trainer: Jill Wosmek Team Leader: Kenneth Sullivan

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly Assistant Coaches: Reed Sunahara, Tom Black Technical Coordinator: Joe Trinsey Athletic Trainer: Jill Wosmek

FIVB Grand Champions Cup * Nov. 12-17 at Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan # - Name (Pos, Ht, Hometown, College) 1 - Alisha Glass (S, 6-0, Leland, Mich., Penn State) 4 - Cursty Jackson (MB, 6-2, Los Angeles, Calif., Arizona) 5 - Tamari Miyashiro (L, 5-7, Kaneohe, Hawaii, Washington) 7 - Cassidy Lichtman (OH, 6-1, Poway, Calif., Stanford) 8 - Lauren Gibbemeyer (MB, 6-2, St. Paul, Minn., Minnesota) 9 - Kristin Hildebrand – Captain (OH, 6-1, Orem, Utah, Stanford) 10 - Jordan Larson-Burbach (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Nebraska) 12 - Kayla Banwarth (L, 5-10, Dubuque, Iowa, Nebraska) 13 - Christa Harmotto (MB, 6-2, Hopewell Township, Pa., Penn State) 14 - Nicole Fawcett (OPP, 6-4, Zanesfield, Ohio, Penn State) 15 - Kelly Murphy (OPP, 6-2, Wilmington, Ill., Florida) 16 - Kim Hill (OH, 6-4, Portland, Ore., Pepperdine) 17 - Lauren Paolini (MB, 6-4, Ann Arbor, Mich., Texas) 20 - Jenna Hagglund (S, 5-10, West Chester, Ohio, Washington) Head Coach: Karch Kiraly Assistant Coaches: Reed Sunahara, Mike Hebert Technical Coordinator: Joe Trinsey Athletic Trainer: Jill Wosmek Team Leader: Kenny Sullivan

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U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Season Review The 2013 season will go down as a period of tremendous growth and opportunity for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team under its firstyear head coach Karch Kiraly. Along the way, many long-term lessons were learned as the team’s goal is to win the next point to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro and ultimately its first Olympic Games gold medal.

Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) was named USA Volleyball’s Indoor Female Athlete of the Year as she compiled a 10.22 set average leading to a .281 team hitting efficiency. She added set averages of 0.50 blocks (3rd on team among those with 40 percent of sets played), 1.85 digs and 0.88 points.

Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.), who joined Team USA in May 2013, was the leading scorer for the U.S. Women in her freshman season. She posted 314 points for a 3.53 scoring average. Captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) finished second in scoring with 291 points and a 2.94 scoring average.

Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) ranked second in scoring average at 3.45 points per set with 238 points scored.

For the first year of the Olympic quadrennial, Kiraly used a roster primarily of non-Olympians in 2013, and it paid off with a 25-6 record against several teams playing with multiple Olympians throughout the season. A total of 10 U.S. players played in at least 68 sets (57 percent of possible sets) in 2013, and all 10 players have not been part of an Olympic Games roster.

Glass (Leland, Mich.) also led the team in total blocks with 53 as part of a 0.50 block average, playing in a team-leading 105 sets out of a possible 118 on the season. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) converted 49.8 percent of her attacks as part of a team-leading .381 hitting efficiency based on 50 percent of sets played. Fawcett led the team with 30 aces, or 0.43 average per set. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa), the team’s Most Improved Player of the Year, accounted for 171 digs and a team-leading 2.25 digs per set while playing in 76 of 118 sets as the American libero. For additional statistics on the season, click here.

“This year, as many teams did, we played with lots of young players,” Kiraly said. “Some players who had very little or no USA experience. We had lots of players gain great experience. Next year one of our focal points will be integrating some of those younger players with some of the players like Foluke Akinradewo, who did not get to play much with us this year. We want to continue to work on our systems. We want to play very fast with a lot of speed, maybe what you might see in the men’s game, and that will take a lot of work on our technique and our tactics and a lot of time together. We look forward to get back together next May to start that work.”

“This has been a wonderful first year of the Olympic quadrennial,” Glass said. “Every person involved in the program is working towards creating an environment where not only the athletes and team can grow, but also the sport of volleyball. We have big goals and big dreams and we are setting down the foundation and the stepping stones to bring our dreams within reach. I look forward to 2014 and continuing the process.”

Even with its youth, the U.S. finished 13-6 (68.4 percent) against teams ranked in the top 10 in the world in 2013. Team USA won the gold medal at the Pan American Cup and NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship, and the silver medal the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. The non-Olympians accounted for 84.3 percent of all kills (12.91 of 1,531) and 84.5 percent of all points (1,733 of 2,052) scored in 2013. Further, 86.7 percent of all aces (169 of 195) and 83.7 of all blocks (273 of 326) were from non-Olympians.

The squad opened the season by winning the Pan American Cup for the second year in a row. USA’s successful tournament run utilized a roster

The U.S. Women stood on the top podium step after winning the Pan Am Cup in June. (NORCECA photo)

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U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Season Review as Team USA hosted the Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship Sept. 16-21. After 3-0 wins over Mexico and Cuba in pool play to advance to the semifinals, Team USA faced a stiff challenge from its neighbors to the north as Canada pushed them in the opening set. The U.S. prevailed 25-22, and became more aggressive in sets two and three (25-14, 25-15) to advance to the title match.

The title match against rival Dominican Republic proved to hold additional lessons with each point.

“We knew this was going to be our toughest match, so we just kept saying, ‘stay patient. Just play USA Volleyball,’” Murphy said at the conclusion of the tournament. “I think sometimes we let that get away from us a little bit.

But we’re always good about getting it back to center.”

The U.S. won the battle against the hard-hitting Dominican Republic 25-19, 26-24, 21-25, 25-19. Murphy continued her international development as she earned the NORCECA Championship most valuable player and Best Spiker awards. Glass was selected as the Best Setter, and Nebraska native Jordan Larson-Burbach captured the Best Server award while playing in her home state.

Kim Hill reaches high for a killl as Team USA hosted Japan in the threematch USA Volleyball Cup series in July. (USAV/Matt Brown photo)

Team USA continued its season of improvement with the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup held in November in Nagoya and Tokyo.

The Americans showcased their tenacity to overcome early deficits in capturing the silver medal with a 4-1 record. Team USA lost its only match of the tournament to top-ranked and eventual winner Brazil in a closely contested 26-24, 26-24, 25-20 match to open the event. The Americans rebounded with wins over bronze medalist and No. 3 Japan, No. 6 Russia, No. 12 Thailand and No. 8 Dominican Republic. Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) was the tournament’s second leading scorer with 91 points to with a 36.9 kill percent for 10th in Best Spiker and seventh in Best Receiver with a 41.8 efficiency.

with four athletes (Murphy, Rachael Adams, Jenna Hagglund and Kim Hill) seeing their first international action at the senior national team level along with others who had for the most part been in the shadows of Olympic stars in recent years such as Hildebrand, Glass, Cassidy Lichtman, Lauren Gibbemeyer, Banwarth, Fawcett and Paolini.

The Americans hosted No. 3 Japan in the in inaugural USA Volleyball Cup, a three-match series held in Southern California July 10-13. Along with the younger players who comprised the Pan American Cup roster, additional athletes waiting in the wings for their chance to shine on the international scene donned the USA jersey. Without missing too many steps and taking in many lessons along the way, Team USA won all three matches in the USA Volleyball Cup to head into the FIVB World Grand Prix (WGP) with an 8-0 record on the season.

“This is such a great group of girls and talented athletes,” said Hildebrand, who served as the team’s captain in 2013. “We had a lot of youth incorporated into our system this year, and that has been great. We have been trying to figuring out who we are as USA Volleyball. There are some wonderful, wonderful people on this team. Coming up in 2014, we all know what we want to work on. I am really excited about next summer.”

Team USA defeated Russia and Poland to start the WGP in Brazil, before suffering its first loss of the season to host Brazilians in a four grueling sets.

After traveling to Serbia, the U.S. picked up wins over Algeria, Netherlands and the host Serbians. In the third leg of the trip in Japan, the U.S. earned hard-fought wins over Czech Republic, Japan and Bulgaria to earn a spot in the six-team World Grand Prix Final Round after an 8-1 preliminary round.

After a layoff of 10 days, hard lessons were learned during the Final Round with losses to Brazil, Serbia, China and Italy on successive days.

The Americans ended the Final Round on a positive note by defeating host Japan.

“I think it was great for our program and young players,” Kiraly said moments after defeating Japan to end the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round with a 1-4 record and in sixth place. “There were a lot of people who hadn’t had any significant time in the World Grand Prix – people like Cassidy Lichtman, Lauren Paolini, Lauren Gibbemeyer, Kayla Banwarth, Kimberly Hill, Kelly Murphy. It was really good for them to get experience. The positive was the nice Preliminary Round we played. The difficult part was seeing how good we have to be to compete in the world. We learned a lot this week. They were not easy lessons, but we learned a lot.”

USA won the Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship in September. Kelly Murphy was the MVP and Best Spiker in the event.

(USAV/Eric Francis)

Some of those not-so-easy lessons were put to the test two weeks later

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2013 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Stats Kills/ Kill Attack Total Attack Aces/ Blocks/ Digs/ Assts Points/ Name Sets Kills Set PCT Errors Attack Eff. Aces Set Blocks Sets Digs Set Assts Set Points Set Rachael Adams 26 34 1.31 54.0 10 63 .381 7 0.27 20 0.77 5 0.19 5 0.19 61 2.35 Kayla Banwarth 76 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 171 2.25 53 0.70 0 0.00 Nicole Davis 4 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 17 4.25 1 0.25 0 0.00 Juliann Faucette 11 12 1.09 34.3 5 35 .200 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 0.36 0 0.00 12 1.09 69 172 2.49 39.3 67 438 .240 30 0.43 36 0.52 85 1.23 7 0.10 238 3.45 Nicole Fawcett Lauren Gibbemeyer 95 174 1.83 46.0 33 378 .373 11 0.12 51 0.54 44 0.46 8 0.08 236 2.48 Alisha Glass 105 21 0.20 34.4 5 61 .262 18 0.17 53 0.50 194 1.85 1,073 10.22 92 0.88 Jenna Hagglund 78 1 0.01 16.7 1 6 .000 10 0.13 4 0.05 38 0.49 194 2.49 15 0.19 Christa Harmotto 38 66 1.74 47.5 15 139 .367 3 0.08 31 0.82 3 0.08 2 0.05 100 2.63 99 249 2.52 40.4 110 616 .226 7 0.07 35 0.35 171 1.73 18 0.18 291 2.94 Kristin Hildebrand Kim Hill 95 161 1.69 37.1 68 434 .214 29 0.31 15 0.16 116 1.22 8 0.08 205 2.16 Megan Hodge 15 47 3.13 55.3 6 85 .482 4 0.27 3 0.20 18 1.20 2 0.13 54 3.60 Regan Hood 10 9 0.90 37.5 4 24 .208 4 0.40 0 0.00 1 0.10 0 0.00 13 1.30 Cursty Jackson 17 26 1.53 41.3 7 63 .302 5 0.29 7 0.41 8 0.47 0 0.00 38 2.34 42 124 2.95 35.1 43 353 .229 16 0.38 15 0.36 60 1.43 5 0.12 155 3.69 Jordan Larson-Burbach Cassidy Lichtman 90 30 0.33 37.5 5 80 .313 14 0.16 0 0.00 60 0.67 6 0.07 44 0.49 Tamari Miyashiro 38 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 94 2.47 25 0.66 0 0.00 Kelly Murphy 89 262 2.94 44.1 87 594 .295 25 0.28 27 0.30 77 0.87 5 0.06 314 3.53 Lauren Paolini 68 140 2.06 49.8 33 281 .381 9 0.13 25 0.37 10 0.15 8 0.12 174 2.56 3 3 1.00 25.0 1 12 .167 0 0.00 3 1.00 3 1.00 0 0.00 6 2.00 Danielle Scott Courtney Thompson 19 0 0.00 0.0 0 2 .000 3 0.16 1 0.05 4 0.21 58 3.05 4 0.21 TEAM 118 1,531 12.97 41.7 500 3,670 .281 195 1.65 326 2.76 1,203 10.19 1,485 12.58 2,052 17.39 Opponent 118 1,275 10.81 34.9 610 3,649 .182 109 0.92 220 1.86 1,119 9.48 1,221 10.35 1,604 13.59 Pan American Cup Lima, Peru June 10: def. Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 June 11: def. Puerto Rico 3-2 June 12: def. Argentina 3-0 June 15: def. Brazil 3-0 June 16: def. Dominican Republic 3-0 USA Volleyball Cup July 10: def. Japan 3-1 at San Diego, Calif.

July 12: def. Japan 3-1 at Long Beach, Calif.

July 13: def. Japan 3-2 at San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool A Campinas, Brazil Aug. 2: def. Russia 3-1 Aug. 3: def. Poland 3-0 Aug. 4: lost to Brazil 1-3

Karch Kiraly studying the match. (FIVB photo)

FIVB World Grand Prix Pool F Belgrade, Serbia Aug. 9: def. Algeria 3-0 Aug. 10: def. Netherlands 3-0 Aug. 11: def. Serbia 3-2 FIVB World Grand Prix Pool M Sendai, Japan Aug. 16: def. Czech Republic 3-0 Aug. 17: def. Japan 3-1 Aug. 18: def. Bulgaria 3-2 FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round Sapporo, Japan Aug. 28: lost to Brazil 0-3 Aug. 29: lost to Serbia 1-3 Aug. 30: lost to China 0-3 Aug. 31: lost to Italy 2-3 Sept. 1: def. Japan 3-2 Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship Omaha, Nebraska Sept. 16: def. Mexico 3-0 Sept. 18: def. Cuba 3-0 Sept. 20: def. Canada 3-0 (Semifinals) Sept. 21: def. Dominican Republic 3-1 (Gold Medal) FIVB Grand Champions Cup Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan Nov. 12: lost to Brazil 0-3 (at Nagoya) Nov. 13: def. Japan 3-1 (at Nagoya) Nov. 15: def. Russia 3-2 (at Tokyo) Nov. 16: def. Thailand 3-2 (at Tokyo) Nov. 17: def. Dominican Republic 3-1 (at Tokyo)

All stats are unofficial team stats provided through DataProject’s DataVolley software DataPoject is Official & Exclusive Provider of Statistical Software Systems of USA Volleyball

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2013 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Schedule (25-6) Date Opponent (Record)

Result

City

Pts Leader (*DataVolley)

Attend

Pan American Cup 6/10 Trinidad & Tobago (1-0) W, 25-13, 25-12, 25-13 Callao, Peru Lauren Gibbemeyer - 12 200 6/11 Puerto Rico (2-0) W, 28-30, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-13 Callao, Peru Nicole Fawcett - 31 225 6/12 Argentina (3-0) W, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 Callao, Peru Nicole Fawcett - 15 225 6/15 Brazil (semifinals) (4-0) W, 25-11, 25-20, 25-22 Lima, Peru Rachael Adams - 12 1,800 6/16 Dominican Republic (Gold) (5-0) W, 25-12, 25-20, 25-18 Lima, Peru Nicole Fawcett - 14 1,800 FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round Standings: Gold - United States; Silver - Dominican Republic; Bronze - Argentina; 4th - Brazil; 5th - Puerto Rico; 6th - Cuba; 7th - Canada; 8th - Peru; 9th - Colombia; 10th - Trinidad & Tobago; 11th - Costa Rica; 12th - Mexico.

USA Volleyball Cup 7/10 Japan (6-0) 7/12 Japan (7-0) 7/13 Japan (8-0)

W, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23 W, 25-17, 26-24, 18-25, 25-20 W, 25-15, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 15-10

LaJolla, Calif.

Long Beach, Calif.

San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Nicole Fawcett - 19 Lauren Paolini - 12 Nicole Fawcett - 24

3,500 3,500 2,000

FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round 8/2 Russia (9-0) W, 25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 25-12 Campinas, Brazil Kelly Murphy, Kim Hill - 16 1,400 8/3 Poland (10-0) W, 25-22, 25-23, 25-16 Campinas, Brazil Kelly Murphy - 16 1,800 8/4 Brazil (10-1) L, 25-17, 23-25, 18-25, 20-25 Campinas, Brazil Kim Hill - 15 4,500 8/9 Algeria (11-1) W, 25-12, 25-15, 25-11 Belgrade, Serbia Rachael Adams - 9 300 8/10 Netherlands (12-1) W, 25-20, 25-16, 25-12 Belgrade, Serbia Lauren Gibbemeyer, Kelly Murphy - 13 300 8/11 Serbia (13-1) W, 25-14, 22-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-12 Belgrade, Serbia Kelly Murphy - 25 3,600 8/16 Czech Republic (14-1) W, 25-20, 25-20, 25-23 Sendai, Japan Kristin Hildebrand - 15 4,230 8/17 Japan (15-1) W, 25-17, 25-19, 21-25, 25-18 Sendai, Japan Kristin Hildebrand - 20 6,833 8/18 Bulgaria (16-1) W, 16-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 15-8 Sendai, Japan Kristin Hildebrand - 15 1,830 FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Standings: 1. China (9-0, 25 points); 2. Brazil (8-1, 23 points); 3. Serbia (7-2, 23 points); 4. United States (8-1, 22 points); 5. Italy (7-2, 21 points); 6. Japan (7-2, 19 points); 7. Russia (7-2, 19 points); 8. Turkey (6-3, 19 points); 9. Bulgaria (6-3, 19 points); 10. Dominican Republic (6-3, 17 points); 11. Germany (4-5, 16 points); 12.

Netherlands (4-5, 12 points); 13. Thailand (3-6, 10 points); 14. Czech Republic (2-7, 8 points); 15. Poland (2-7, 6 points); 16. Argentina (2-7, 5 points); 17. Kazakhstan (1-8, 4 points); 18. Puerto Rico (1-8, 2 points); 19. Cuba (0-9, 0 points); 20. Algeria (0-9, 0 points).

FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round (must qualify as top five in FIVB World Grand Prix Prelliminary Round) 8/28 Brazil (16-2) L, 19-25, 12-25, 10-25 Sapporo, Japan Nicole Fawcett - 11 8/29 Serbia (16-3) L, 23-25, 25-20, 18-25, 23-25 Sapporo, Japan Kelly Murphy - 21 8/30 China (16-4) L, 20-25, 23-25, 17-25 Sapporo, Japan Kelly Murphy - 11 8/31 Italy (16-5) L, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23, 18-25, 14-16 Sapporo, Japan Kristin Hildebrand - 17 9/1 Japan (17-5) W, 17-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-17, 15-12 Sapporo, Japan Nicole Fawcett - 23 FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round Standings: Gold - Brazil; Silver - China; Bronze - Serbia; 4th - Japan; 5th - Italy; 6th - United States

1,900 1,200 1,400 2,000 5,100

Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship 9/16 Mexico (18-5) W, 25-9, 25-12, 25-11 Omaha, Neb., USA Kelly Murphy - 14 1,200 9/18 Cuba (19-5) W, 25-9, 25-13, 25-12 Omaha, Neb., USA Kelly Murphy - 11 1,800 9/20 Canada (Semifinals) (20-5) W, 25-22, 25-14, 25-15 Omaha, Neb., USA Jordan Larson-Burbach - 11 2,500 9/21 Dominican Republic (Gold) (21-5) W, 25-19, 26-24, 21-25, 25-19 Omaha, Neb., USA Kelly Murphy - 18 3,500 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championsip Final Standings: Gold - United States; Silver - Dominican Republic; Bronze - Puerto Rico; 4th - Canada; 5th - Mexico; 6th - Trinidad & Tobago; 7th - Cuba; 8th - Costa Rica; 9th - St. Lucia FIVB Grand Champions Cup 11/12 Brazil (21-6) L, 24-26, 24-26, 20-25 Nagoya, Japan Kelly Murphy - 13 11/13 Japan (22-6) W, 25-19, 25-19, 19-25, 25-21 Nagoya, Japan Jordan Larson-Burbach - 20 11/15 Russia (23-6) W, 16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 15-13 Tokyo, Japan Jordan Larson-Burbach - 24 11/16 Thailand (24-6) W, 13-25, 27-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13 Tokyo, Japan Jordan Larson-Burbach - 26 11/17 Dominican Republic (25-6) W, 25-14, 25-16, 21-25, 25-18 Tokyo, Japan Lauren Paolini - 21 FIVB Grand Champions Cup Final Standings: Gold - Brazil; Silver - United States; Bronze - Japan; 4th - Russia; 5th - Thailand; 6th - Dominican Republic * Match leaders are based on DataVolley Statistics and not official P-2 stats.

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2,000 8,000 3,500 1,800 2,400

USA Volleyball Female Indoor Player of Year part of such a special journey.”

USA Volleyball is proud announce setter Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) as its 2013 USAV Female Indoor Athlete of the Year.

Glass started the season by leading Team USA to the Pan American Cup gold medal and finished second in Best Setter despite not starting the first two matches. She started two of the three USA Volleyball Cup matches against Japan, registering 10.50 assists per set.

Glass earned the Best Setter at the FIVB World Grand Prix as she averaged 9.81 assists, 0.48 blocks and 0.83 points per set during the course of starting all 14 matches.

She led the U.S. to the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship gold medal with averages of 10.25 assists, 2.08 digs and 0.58 blocks per set. During the seasonending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup she led the U.S. to the silver medal with a 37.1 team kill percent. She ranked second in assists with 8.43 running sets, in addition to being eighth in Best Blocker with a 0.57 block average.

“Our program’s biggest theme for 2013 was the commitment to learn, to grow and to pursue mastery relentlessly, and to support others doing the same; Alisha embraced and exemplified those notions,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said.

“In competition, she played a major role in leading our young group to battle – and to a series of hard-fought wins – against the world’s best. Alisha was a big reason why USA got off to such a strong start in the new Olympic cycle.”

Glass started 28 of 31 matches at setter with a 10.22 assist average.

She added set averages of 0.50 blocks (3rd on team among those with 40 percent of sets played), 1.85 digs and 0.88 points. She helped Team USA compile a 41.7 kill percent and .281 hitting efficiency for the season, which is impressive considering 84.3 percent of the team’s kills (1,291 of 1,531) were from non-Olympians and several had not played an FIVB-level event.

“It’s quite an honor to be named USA Volleyball Indoor Athlete of the Year,” Glass said. “It’s an amazing organization and an amazing group of girls. I want to thank the staff for creating an environment where athletes can truly learn and grow, both on and off the court. I also want to thank my teammates for committing to the process and our team goals; everyone is doing their best to make the team the best that they can be by 2016. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be a

“This has been a wonderful first year of the Olympic quadrennial,” Glass said. “Every person involved in the program is working towards creating an environment where not only the athletes and team can grow, but also the sport of volleyball. We have big goals and big dreams and we are setting down the foundation and the stepping stones to bring our dreams within reach. I look forward to 2014 and continuing the process.”

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USA Volleyball Female Indoor Most Improved Player of Year “Wow! I have to say this is unexpected!” Banwarth said. “The amount of hard work that each and every USA athlete puts in every day is unreal.

So I’d like to make this a team honor, because without my teammates and coaches challenging me every day to be great, there would have been no improvement. Thank you to Karch and the rest of the USA staff, and of course my teammates for making this year so special! I can’t wait for next summer!”

USA Volleyball is proud announce libero Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) as its 2013 USAV Female Indoor Most Improved Player of the Year.

“We talk about how the last team improving is the last team standing, and it applies to individuals too,” Kiraly said. “Kayla stayed ready for the Instant of Competition, for her opportunities in uniform. She just kept getting better in 2013, to the point where her consistently strong performance had a big impact on our solid finishes at NORCECA and Grand Champions Cup, and on the momentum we’ve built in this new quad.”

Banwarth was selected as the Best Receiver at the season-opening Pan American Cup after producing a 67 positive reception percent. She was the libero for the opening USA Volleyball Cup match against Japan and contributed 14 digs in the four-set win. Banwarth started five matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix averaging 1.62 digs per set, including 21 digs in the final two matches of the tournament’s Final Round. In helping the U.S. win the NORCECA Continental Championship, she recorded a 3.00 dig average, ranked atop the Best Receivers category with an 89.6 efficiency and was the second-leading libero. Banwarth finished the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup as the second-leading digger with a 3.19 average.

Banwarth started 20 of 31 matches at libero during the 2013 season. She compiled 171 digs during the season over the course of 76 sets played for a 2.25 digs per set average.

Banwarth produced a 69 positive reception percent with only nine reception errors on 345 chances.

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6/10 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 TT 13 12 13 U.S. Women Blank Trinidad & Tobago to Open Pan Am Cup Team USA photo for the XII Women’s Pan American Cup (NORCECA photo)

LIMA, PERU (June 10, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team used a stifling block and service game to blank Trinidad & Tobago 25-13, 25-12, 2513 on June 10 to open its title defense of the Pan American Cup in Callao, Peru.

The Americans controlled both the net and service line during the match with a 13-4 block advantage and 9-0 margin in aces. Team USA benefited from 21 Trinidad & Tobago errors, while limiting its own errors to 11 for the match. As a team, the U.S. converted 54.2 percent of its offensive swings with a .424 hitting efficiency (32-7-59). The Americans limited Trinidad & Tobago to a 31.5 kill percent for the match and .137 hitting efficiency (23-13-73).

Team USA had 10 of its 12 players score at least one point in the match. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) led the United States in scoring with 11 points via seven kills on 12 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) was credited with eight kills on 13 attacks and two blocks for 10 points, while Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) notched six aces and three kills for nine points. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio), playing in her first match with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, recorded four kills on six errorless attacks and four blocks for eight points.

Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) chipped in six kills on 12 swings in the victory, while Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) came in off the bench to score four points with three kills on four errorless attacks and a block in her first international match at the senior level. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) and Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) each pocketed two points in reserve roles in the third set. Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio), starting in her first international senior-level match, and Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with a block each from the setter position.

(Left) Rachael Adams (left) and Nicole Fawcett (14) reach for a block versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

Hagglund set the U.S. with 10 running sets on 31 total set attempts without a fault, while Glass totaled nine running sets off the bench on 16 attempts. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) recorded a team-high 10 digs and six excellent receptions off 10 errorless chances, while Gibbemeyer notched six digs from her middle blocker position.

The U.S. started Hodge and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Hagglund at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Murphy subbed into the match in the second set and started in place of Fawcett in the third set. Glass started the third set in place of Hagglund at setter, while Hill and Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) came off the bench in the third set.

Jenna Hagglund (20) and Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) put up a double block versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

“I am very proud of the new players on the team and the way they performed in their first international competition,” Hildebrand said. “We passed and served very well.”

“I liked the way the Trinidadians enjoyed the match,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said. “We have many new players because after the Olympics, some players needed to rest and other players have to step in.”

While both Hagglund and Adams were starting in their first-ever international match with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, Hill also contributed off the bench in her first appearance with the team. Gibbemeyer and Banwarth were also playing in just their 13th match with the team.

Darlene Ramdin paced Trinidad & Tobago with 10 points, while no other player scored more than five points.

Team USA celebrates a point versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

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Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Jenna Hagglund (20) block a Trinidad & Tobago attack (NORCECA photo)

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6/11 1 2 3 4 5 USA 28 23 25 25 15 PUR 30 25 14 17 13 U.S. Women Rally Past Puerto Rico After Being Two Sets Down LIMA, PERU (June 11, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team (2-0) rallied from two sets down to defeat Puerto Rico 28-30, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-13 on June 11 during Pool A of the Pan American Cup in Callao, Peru.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) blocks a Puerto Rico attack. (NORCECA photo)

The U.S. committed nine errors in the opening set and saved three set points when down 24-21 to take two set point chances of its own only to fall 30-28 as Puerto Rico scored three unanswered to end the frame on its sixth set point opportunity.

The U.S. rallied from a 16-12 deficit in the second set to tie at 16-all, but Puerto Rico pushed to a 20-17 lead en route to winning 25-23.

The third set was a roller coaster with the Puerto Rico scoring the first three points, followed by a 6-0 run by the U.S. After Puerto Rico knotted the score at 12-all, Team USA rolled 10 unanswered points in winning 25-14. The U.S. used a key 4-0 run to take a 19-14 lead in the fourth set as they pushed on to a 25-17 victory sending the match to a tiebreaker. In the fifth set, Puerto Rico came back from a 3-0 deficit to take an 11-10 advantage, but the U.S. scored four of the final five points to win 15-13.

“Puerto Rico played very good volleyball and forced us to play as hard, the hardest we have had to play in 2013,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said. “Our team did a nice job, staying calm and fighting hard.”

Kristin Hildebrand (24) and Rachael Adams (22) double up on a Puerto Rico attack. (NORCECA photo)

U.S. opposite Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) led all scorers with 30 points coming off 25 kills on 60 attacks, three aces and two blocks. She scored six points alone in the deciding fifth set. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) added 16 kills on 36 aattacks and one block for 17 points in the victory. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) charted eight kills and a match-high six blocks for 14 points. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) pocketed 11 kills on 24 swings and three blocks for 14 points.

Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) collected three kills on six attacks and two blocks for five points, while Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) produced three blocks and an ace for four points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) added three points with two blocks and a kill coming off the bench. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with a key ace in the fifth set as a reserve.

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) provided the Americans with team-highs of 18 digs and 14 excellent receptions on 25 attempts. Glass was credited with 38 running sets on 91 set attempts in four sets, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added 14 running sets on 38 chances. Fawcett charted 15 digs and Richards Hildebrand added 10 digs.

Rachael Adams (22) and Nicole Fawcett (14) form a blocking wall versus Puerto Rico. (NORCECA photo)

The U.S. started Hodge and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Hagglund at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Glass started the final four sets in place of Hagglund, who was a sub in the final two sets. Paolini started the final three sets in Adam’s spot.

Team USA converted 40.4 percent of its attacks into points with a .298 hitting efficiency (65-17-161). Meanwhile, Puerto Rico converted just 36.2 percent of its attacks for kills with a .198 hitting efficiency (64-29-177). The U.S. out-blocked Puerto Rico 19-9 and held slim margins in kills (65-64) and aces (4-3), along with a 64-53 margin in digs. Team USA committed 23 errors in the match, but only 14 after the first set. Meanwhile, the U.S. benefited from 28 errors by Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico was led by Karina Ocasio with 25 points, while Yarimar Rosa added 18 points and Daly Santana contributed 15 points in the loss.

Team USA celebrates a point versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

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Nicole Fawcett attacks over the Puerto Rico block (NORCECA photo)

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6/12 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 ARG 17 19 22 U.S. Women Sweep Argentina, Advance to Semifinals LIMA, PERU (June 12, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team swept Argentina 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 in a battle of previously undefeated teams on the final day of Pool A competition at the Pan American Cup on Wednesday in Callao, Peru.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Kristin Hildebrand block an Argentina attack.

(NORCECA photo)

The U.S., the defending Pan American Cup champions, finished Pool A in first place with a 3-0 record with 13 points. By virtue of winning Pool A and ranking as the second-best pool winner, Team USA advances directly to the Pan American Cup semifinals on Saturday. The three second-place teams plus Pool B winner Cuba will compete in the quarterfinal round on Friday. All 12 teams in the tournament are idle on Thursday.

In addition, Team USA has earned a spot in the 2014 FIVB World Grand Prix by reaching the Pan American Cup semifinals. The top four NORCECA finishing teams in the tournament gain a spot in the prestigious annual event.

Team USA used a 9-2 scoring run to end the opening set and take a 25-17 victory.

The U.S. broke a 9-all tie in the second set and climbed to a 25-19 victory to go up 2-0. The Americans overcame a 20-17 deficit in the third set by scoring seven of the next eight points en route to winning 25-22.

USA and Argentina during the Natonal Anthems. (NORCECA photo)

“Our players responded well and I would like to improve our serves, and continue to work on our fast offense,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said.

Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) paced the United States with a match-high 15 points that included 12 kills on 28 attacks, two aces and a block. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem,Utah) secured 13 points via 11 kills on 20 swings, one ace and one block.

Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) chipped in 10 kills on 17 attacks and a block for 11 points. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) contributed 10 points with six kills on eight errorless attacks, three blocks and an ace. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) collected eight points on seven kills via 15 attacks and a block. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) rounded out the scoring with two kills on five swings as a reserve in all three sets.

Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) set the U.S. to a 51.6 kill percent and .398 hitting efficiency (48-11-93) with 28 running sets, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added three running sets in a reserve role. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) tallied a team-high 12 digs. Hodge charted 10 excellent receptions on 30 attempts to go with six digs.

Rachael Adams (22) and Nicole Fawcett (14) form a blocking wall versus Puerto Rico. (NORCECA photo)

The U.S. started Hodge and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Hagglund and Murphy were part of a double-switch in all three sets, while Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) was a sub in all three sets.

Team USA’s attack netted a 48-35 margin in kills. The Americans held the advantage in blocks (7-4) and aces (4-2) during the match. Further, the Americans produced a 31-26 edge in digs. The U.S. held Argentina to a 35.0 kill percent and .230 hitting efficiency (35-12-100).

“I think USA did a good job tonight with some good contributions from the players off the bench,” said Hildebrand, the U.S. captain. “Our setter did an excellent job to help the balanced offense.”

Lucia Fresco led Argentina with 14 points, while Emilce Sosa added 11 points in the loss.

Team USA celebrates a point versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

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Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Nicole Fawcett (14) celebrate a point versus Argentina. (NORCECA photo)

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6/15 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 BRA 11 20 22 U.S. Women Sweep Brazil, Advance to Pan Am Cup Title Match

Cassidy Lichtman reaches to pass versus Brazil. (NORCECA photo)

LIMA, PERU (June 15, 2013) –The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team used a complete team effort in powering past Brazil 25-11, 25-20, 25-22 on June 15 during the semifinal round of the Pan American Cup in Lima, Peru.

The U.S. built an early 7-2 lead in the opening set and cruised to a 25-11 victory as seven different players scored. The Americans held a 4-0 margin in aces in the first set. Team USA started five new players in the second set and led throughout in a closely contested 25-20 victory. Team USA overcame an 18-17 deficit in the third set by using a 7-2 scoring run to establish a 23-19 advantage and went on to win 25-22.

“I am glad to arrive to this stage,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said. “Our team has played well and united. The Dominicans will be a tough opponent as they have won all their matches, but it will be a good match.”

Team USA had all 11 of its non-libero players score during the match. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati) led the Americans with 12 points and a match-high six blocks to go with six kills on 12 attacks. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) secured 11 points with 10 kills on 14 attacks and an ace, while Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) matched the 11 points with 10 kills on 22 swings and a block. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) charted seven kills on 16 attacks and two blocks for nine points.

Megan Hodge hits around the Brazil block. (NORCECA photo)

Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) chipped in seven points with six kills on 10 errorless attacks and an ace. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) tacked on four kills on nine errorless swings, one block and one ace for six points in just one set of action.

Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) pocketed two kills on three attacks, while Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) served two aces in the first set. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) provided a kill and ace for two points. Setters Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) both turned in one block.

Hagglund provided the U.S. with 30 running sets in relief of Glass, who had five running sets. Hill totaled a team-high nine excellent receptions on 18 errorless attempts, while Banwarth charted a team-high nine digs to go with six excellent receptions on 12 errorless chances. Richards Hildebrand secured seven digs in just one set of action. Lichtman added six excellent receptions on nine errorless chances.

The U.S. started Hodge and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. After the first set, Hagglund started the rest of the way for Glass, Lichtman and Hill started in place of Richards Hildebrand and Hodge at outside hitter, Paolini stepped in for Gibbemeyer at middle blocker and Murphy spelled Fawcett the rest of the way.

(Left) Alisha Glass serves versus Brazil. (Right) Jenna Hagglund sets versus Brazil. (NORCECA photos)

The U.S. convert 48.4 percent of its attacks into kills as part of a .389 hitting efficiency (46-9-95). The Americans held Brazil to a 39.8 kill percent and .227 hitting efficiency (35-15-88. Team USA dominated the net with a 12-5 block advantage, in addition to serving strong with a 6-2 ace margin. The U.S. also held a 46-35 edge in kills as both teams held errors in check with 11 each.

“Today all the players had the chance to participate and it could be seen the team is very united,” said Hildebrand, the U.S. captain. “Dominican Republic will be a tough rival, but we will go out to enjoy the game.”

Brazil’s Gabriela Guimaraes tallied a match-high 14 points as no other teammate scored more than eight points in the loss.

Team USA celebrates a point versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)

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Kristin Hildebrand hits down the line against Brazil. (NORCECA photo)

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6/16 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 DOM 12 20 18 U.S. Women Defeat Dominican Republic to Win Pan Am Cup

Nicole Fawcett hits past the Domincan Republic block. (NORCECA photo)

LIMA, PERU (June 16, 2013) – Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) scored 15 points in sparking the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 25-12, 25-20, 25-18 victory over Dominican Republic on June 16 in Lima, Peru, to capture the Pan American Cup gold medal for the second consecutive year. In addition, she captured the tournament’s most valuable player award.

After Dominican Republic opened the first set with a 4-2 lead, it was all U.S. in the frame as the Americans went on a 9-1 scoring run and later used a 6-0 run en route to a 25-12 victory. The second set was tight until the last six points with 11 lead changes. However, the U.S. changed leads for the final time after trailing 20-19 and scored the final six points for a 25-20 victory. Team USA charged out to a 7-2 lead in the third set, only to have Dominican Republic climb back to within one at 12-11. However, the U.S. regrouped with a 9-3 scoring run to win 25-18.

“I am really pleased with the team’s performance tonight, and overall with the tournament, especially how we were able to get better with every match,” Kiraly said. “Dominican is a good team with Olympic experience and for the most part we were able to control the match from beginning to end.”

Team USA celebrates versus Dominican Republic. (NORCECA photo)

Fawcett collected her match-high 15 points with six kills on 15 errorless attacks, six blocks and three aces. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) charted 11 points with eight kills on 16 attacks and three blocks. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) picked up nine kills on 16 swings in the match. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.), the only 2012 U.S. Olympian in the match, pocketed eight points with seven kills on 16 attacks and an ace. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded five kills on 10 attacks and two blocks for seven points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) was credited with two blocks, while Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) rounded out the scoring with a kill as a reserve.

Glass provided 28 running sets and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added seven running sets in leading the U.S. offense to a 45.6 kill percent and .367 hitting efficiency (36-7-79). Fawcett led the American defense with eight digs, while Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) added eight digs and seven excellent receptions on 14 errorless attempts. Hodge added a team-high 12 excellent receptions on 22 chances.

In addition to the MVP award, Fawcett earned the best server honor. Hodge was chosen as best spiker, while Banwarth was selected as best receiver.

“This group is a blend of experienced and young players,” said Hildebrand, the U.S. captain. “I’m really pleased with how we were able to come together to defend our gold medal in this event and show what USA Volleyball is all about: supporting each other, being tough, and playing great--especially when it matters most.”

Nicole Fawcett was presented with the most valuable player and best server award at the Pan American Cup. (NORCECA photos)

The U.S. started Hodge and Richards Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Hagglund and Murphy were double subs in all three sets, while Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) was a sub in the final two sets.

Team USA used a stifling 13-4 block advantage to thwart the Dominican Republic offense. Further, the U.S. benefited from 22 other Dominican Republic errors in the match. The U.S. limited Dominican Republic to a 33.3 kill percent and .107 hitting efficiency (28-19-84) for the match. The Americans also held a slim 4-3 margin in aces to go with a 36-28 advantage in kills and a 37-34 lead in digs.

Priscilla Rivera, Yonkaira Pena and Annerys Vargas all scored eight points to lead Dominican Republic.

Team USA presented with the Pan American Cup trophy. (NORCECA photo)

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Megan Hodge passes with Kayla Banwarth watching. (NORCECA photo)

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7/10 1 2 3 4 5 USA 23 25 25 25 JPN 25 23 22 23 U.S. Women Win Inaugural USA Volleyball Cup Match vs Japan SAN DIEGO (July 10, 2013) – The inaugural USA Volleyball Cup started with a sell-out crowd of 3,500 to watch the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team defeat Japan 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23 at the RIMAC Arena on the campus of UC San Diego on Wednesday night.

Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) led the United States with 19 points via 15 kills on 35 swings, three aces and a block. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) chalked up 16 points, all on kills from 31 attacks. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) contributed 15 points, including nine kills on 23 errorless attacks and a matchhigh six blocks. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) added 12 points off the bench with 11 kills on 20 attacks.

Yikiko Ebata led Japan with a match-high points, while captain Saori Kimura recorded 16 points.

Team USA celebrates a point versus Japan. (Copyright USA Volleyball)

“The sellout crowd tonight is a reflection of a lot of people’s hard work,” said U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly, who won his first match on home soil after going 5-0 in Peru to start his head coaching career.

“The crowd was really into it.”

The Americans held a 10-4 advantage in blocks during the night, in addition to a 7-4 margin in aces. Team USA converted 43.4 percent of its attacks for kills with a .338 hitting efficiency (63-14-145). Japan was limited to a 35.3 kill percent with a .221 hitting efficiency (48-18-136).

Hildebrand said it was a special night for the players who get a rare chance to play at home. Her last matches played in front of a home crowd took place in 2009 during the Pan American Cup and FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament in Miami and Orlando, respectively.

“Tonight was so special for us,” Hildebrand said. “It was an incredible turnout by our fans. We so seldom get to play in front of a home crowd, so it was a special night in feeling all the support for USA Volleyball. I am so proud of our team. Japan was incredible and they showed us they are relentless in coming back in each set.

I look forward to another great match against Japan on Friday in Long Beach.”

(Left) Lauren Gibbemeyer attacks. (Right) Kristin Hildebrand attacks. (Photos USAV copyrighted)

Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) turned in 49 of the team’s 63 assists while adding an ace. Hildebrand and Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) contributed 14 digs in the victory.

Team USA started Hildebrand and Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) at middle blocker, Glass at setter and Fawcett at opposite. Hill started the final three sets in place of Lichtman, who was a sub in the final three sets. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) started the fourth set in place of Adams. Hometown hero Juliann Faucette, who sang the National Anthem, was a sub in the first, third and fourth sets. Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) was a sub in the first and third sets.

Adams tallied nine points in the victory, while Faucette chipped in four points.

Paolini produced three points off the bench, while Lichtman added a point.

The USA Volleyball Cup is a new initiative that will draw elite teams to the United States to compete in an annual tour series with the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams. Such events will help foster local community ties to the two National Team programs and the City of Anaheim where the teams train.

(Left) Juliann Faucette attacks in her hometown. (Right) Alisha Glass sets.

(Photos USAV copyrighted)

Kiraly acknowledged Japan’s support in the USA Volleyball Cup. “It is wonderful that a premier program in the world with the tradition of Japan came here to play and give us a battle tonight in our inaugural USA Volleyball Cup,” Kiraly said.

Team USA celebrates with Kristin Hildebrand (24) giving credit to Alisha Glass (1) for a set leading to a kill. (Copyrighted USAV)

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Rachael Adams attacks versus Japan (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)

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7/12 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 26 18 25 JPN 17 24 25 20 U.S. Women Defeat Japan in USA Volleyball Cup Middle Match LONG BEACH, Calif. (July 12, 2013) – Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) totaled 12 points off the bench in helping the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team win its second consecutive USA Volleyball Cup match over Japan 25-17, 26-24, 18-25, 25-20 in front of 3,500 fans at the Walter Pyramid on the campus of Long Beach State University in Long Beach, Calif.

Paolini was credited with 10 kills on 19 attacks and two blocks. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) added 11 points with 10 kills on 34 attacks and an ace. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) and Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) scored nine points each for a total of 18 points at the opposite position.

Team USA during the National Anthem. (Copyrighted USAV/Matt Brown)

Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) chipped in seven points, while Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) pocketed two kills and three blocks for five points. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) scored five points all in the fourth set. Danielle Scott (Baton Rouge, La.) tallied four points in her return to her alma mater, Long Beach State. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) rounded out the scoring with a kill.

Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) recorded 16 of USA’s 48 digs. Glass set 35 of the team’s assists as Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) produced six assists as part of a double-sub in the first three sets. Fawcett added nine digs.

The U.S. out-blocked Japan 12-3 to offset Japan’s 7-4 advantage in aces. The Americans converted 37 percent of their kills with a .273 hitting efficiency (51-13139). Japan was limited to a 33 kill percent and .194 hitting efficiency (46-19-139).

Japan was led by Mizuho Ishida and her 18 points, while Miyu Nagoakoa produced 15 points in the loss.

The U.S. Women are ranked No. 1 in the world and won the silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. Japan, ranked No. 3 in the world, captured the bronze medal in London last summer.

Jordan Larson-Burbach serves against Japan. (Copyrighted USAV/Matt Brown)

Kiraly started Glass at setter, Hildebrand and Larson-Burbach at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker and Fawcett at opposite. Davis was the libero for the match. Paolini started the final three sets in place of Adams at middle blocker, while Scott started the final two sets in place of Gibbemeyer.

Murphy was a sub in the first three sets and started the fourth in place of Fawcett.

Hill started the final set for Larson-Burbach.

The U.S. controlled most of the opening set to win 25-17. In contrast, Japan led the majority of the second set in building a 23-17 margin. However, Fawcett went back to serve and five straight points as part of a 6-0 run to knot the score at 23-all. After the Americans saved one set point, they closed out the frame with a 26-24 victory to go up 2-0. Japan pushed out to an early 10-6 advantage in the third set and did not allow the Americans to rally in winning 25-18. In the fourth set, Japan battled back to within one at 19-18 only to have the U.S. score six of the final eight points for a 25-20 victory.

“In one word I think we are resilient,” Fawcett said. “We have been put into some difficult situations and we haven’t put it into a negative light. We are working as a team with one goal.”

Davis concurred with Fawcett in the team’s mentality.

(Left) Lauren Paolini attacks. (Right) Kelly Murphy serves. (Copyrighted USAV/ Matt Brown)

“I think we are resilient as a group and that makes it easy make adjustments,” Davis said. “Japan began tipping and we were able to adjust. In the second set we got down and fought back. To do that this early in the quad is a very good sign.”

Notes: The U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Training Team was in attendance at the match. They are currently in a training block prior to attending the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U-19 World Championship…U.S. middle blocker Danielle Scott (Baton Rouge, La.), who turns 41 in October, played at her alma mater of Long Beach State for the first time wearing the Team USA uniform. She is in her 20th year with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team.

Nicole Davis passes versus Japan. (Copyrighted USAV/Matt Brown)

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Kim Hill attacks versus Japan. (Copyrighted USA Volleyball/Matt Brown)

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7/13 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 21 23 15 JPN 15 19 25 25 10 U.S. Women Edge Japan 3-2 in Final USA Volleyball Cup Match SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (July 13, 2013) – Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) collected 24 points in leading the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 2515, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 15-10 victory over Japan in the final match of the USA Volleyball Cup in front of standing-room only crowd of 2,000 fans at the JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Team USA swept the inaugural USA Volleyball Cup three-match series with Japan to improve to 8-0 on the season in Karch Kiraly’s first season as head coach.

“Japan is definitely an unbelievable team and one of the toughest to score against in the world, and they showed that tonight in how they came back,” said setter Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio).

Courtney Thompson (left) presents a gift to Japan’s captain prior to the match for their participation in the inaugural USA Volleyball Cup. (Copyrighted USAV)

Fawcett tallied 18 kills on 33 attacks with just two errors to go with three blocks and three aces as part of her 24 points. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) added 12 kills on 21 errorless swings and two blocks for 14 points. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) chipped in 13 points via nine kills, three blocks and an ace. Cursty Jackson (Los Angeles) produced four kills, three aces and three blocks for 10 points ,which was matched by Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) with eight kills, one ace and one block for 10 points.

Hagglund tallied 47 assists in the victory, while Thompson added 11 as part of a double-sub off the bench in all five sets. Larson-Burbach totaled 19 digs and Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) added 11 digs with a 74 positive reception percent on 23 service receptions.

“It has been amazing to play in front of great crowds this week,” Paolini said. “We feed off the crowd and they have been incredible. By seeing the crowds show up and supporting us means our hard work and dedication means a lot to people other than just our team. It is very meaningful to have the crowds come out night after night to support us in this event.”

(Left) Jenna Hagglund sets. (Right) Kim Hill attacks. (Copyrighted USAV/Matt Brown

Japan was led by Yukiko Ebata’s 24 points, while Saori Kimura added 23 points.

Risa Shinnabe charted 13 points in the loss for Japan.

“It has been an incredible experience playing at home in front of a home crowd and hearing the ‘USA’ chant – it is a dream feeling,” Hagglund said. “Japan is one of the best teams in the world, and this has been a great experience for the whole team with so many players contributing. It is incredible to have so many players play and make solid contributions versus a great opponent such as Japan. We all practice hard every day in the gym, but there is nothing like putting on a jersey and playing a quality opponent. Everybody is working their tails off every day in practice, and these matches are a great report card for us to see our progress and what we need to upgrade.”

Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) recorded nine kills for the Americans, while Hagglund added three points and Danielle Scott (Baton Rouge, La.) chipped in two points. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with a kill.

The U.S. held a 15-4 margin in blocks and an 8-5 edge in aces. Japan produced a narrow 69-63 margin in digs. Team USA held a 40.9 kill percent and .354 hitting efficiency (67-9-164). Japan was limited to a 35 kill percent and .206 hitting efficiency (63-26-180).

Kelly Murphy (left) and Lauren Paolini (right) put up a block in final USA Volleyball Cup match. (Copyrighted USAV/Matt Brown)

Kiraly started Hagglund at setter, Hill and Larson-Burbach at outside hitter, Paolini and Jackson at middle blocker and Fawcett at opposite. Miyashiro was the libero for the match. Murphy started the third set in place of Fawcett, who returned to the starting rotation for the fourth and fifth sets. Lichtman was a sub in the final four sets, while Scott was a sub in the third set.

Notes: Jane Ward, a 1964 U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team member, was present at the match and met with the current team members prior to the first serve…Cursty Jackson and Sonja Newcombe suited in their first international matches…Both U.S. setters in the match, Jenna Hagglund and Courtney Thompson, were products of University of Washington…The U.S. had 18 different players see court time in the three-match USA Volleyball Cup series with the rosters changing for each contest.

(Left) Cursty Jackson serves. (Right) Jordan Larson-Burbach passes. (Copyrighted USAV/Matt Brown)

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Tama Miyashiro (5) and Jenna Hagglund (foreground) celebrate. (Copyrighted USA Volleyball/Matt Brown)

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8/2 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 17 25 25 RUS 20 25 21 12 U.S. Women Defeat Russia to Open 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix CAMPINAS, Brazil (Aug. 2, 2013) – The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team opened the 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix by defeating Russia 25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 25-12 on Aug. 2 in Campinas, Brazil.

The U.S. recovered from an early 2-0 deficit in the opening set and took charge with a 10-4 scoring run to reach a 19-14 advantage, then held off a late Russia rally to win 25-20. Russia scored four unanswered points to break free from a slim 12-11 advantage in the second set and went on to win 25-17 with six blocks in the frame. The U.S. broke a 3-all tie in the fourth set with a 12-3 scoring run and never looked back for a 25-12 victory.

Kelly Murphy attacks versus Russia as she leads the U.S. in scoring in her first FIVB event. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

“Our players did a good job,” said. U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly, who is now 9-0 in his first year leading the program. “We have a young team that is learning a lot this season. I am also learning a lot. It is my first season as head coach and Russia has a very good team. Tomorrow I expect a really tough game against Poland, but we have to keep improving.”

Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) and Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.), both in their first year with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, combined for 31 points as newcomers to the FIVB World Grand Prix played huge roles. Murphy came off the bench to score a team-high 16 points with 12 kills on 18 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Hill totaled 15 points with 12 kills on 32 swings, two aces and a block.

“I don’t think it has sunk in yet,” Murphy said of playing in her first World Grand Prix match. “Tonight the team had good energy. We made a lot of good adjustments and became more aggressive in serving and blocking alignments. We also made good plays and won the long rallies.”

Left: Kim Hill reaches for a block versus Russia. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo). Right: Alisha Glass sets versus Russia. (FIVB photo)

Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah), who was a key contributor on the 2012 World Grand Prix gold-medal team, added 15 kills on 38 attacks in the win. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) charted 12 points with nine kills on 17 attacks and three blocks.

“Russia is a strong team and played well.” Hildebrand said. “We had to battle back in that third set after they took the second, and we did - I am very proud of my team. It was a good way to start. We will have another tough match against Poland tomorrow.”

Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) pocketed eight points with five kills, two blocks and an ace. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) tacked on five points with two kills, two blocks and an ace. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with three blocks and two aces.

The U.S. converted 44.2 percent of its attacks with a .326 hitting efficiency as Glass handed out 14 running sets on 85 set attempts. Hildebrand turned in 14 excellent receptions on 43 attempts, while Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) added six excellent receptions on 17 attempts and 14 digs. Glass added 14 digs from her setter position.

Left: Nicole Fawcett swings around the Russia block. (FIVB photo) Right: Kristin Hildebrand attacks down the line. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

Team USA dominated in each of the scoring skills including 57-44 in kills, 13-9 in blocks and 6-2 in aces. Russia benefited from 23 American errors while limited its miscues to 16 for the match. The U.S. also produced a 62-54 edge in digs. Team USA limited Russia to a 34.7 kill percent and .165 hitting efficiency (44-21-127).

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Karch Kiraly is interviewed in the mixed zone after the victory.

(FIVB photo)

Lauren Gibbemeyer spikes past the Russia block (FIVB photo)

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8/3 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 POL 22 23 16 Young Players Lead U.S. Women Past Poland CAMPINAS, Brazil (Aug. 3, 2013) – The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team defeated No. 15 Poland 25-22, 25-23, 25-16 behind a trio of players competing in their first FIVB event on Aug. 3 during FIVB World Grand Prix Pool A in Campinas, Brazil.

Team USA timeout during its match versus Poland. (FIVB photo)

The U.S., the three-time defending champion of the FIVB World Grand Prix, is now 2-0 in the pool with six points. Team USA also extended its World Grand Prix win streak to 18 matches dating back to the 2011 Final Round.

Team USA won the opening set 25-22 after breaking an 18-all tie with a 6-1 scoring run and holding on to the victory. Similarly, the U.S. broke a 21-all tie late in the second set with a 3-0 run and held on for a 25-23 victory. The Americans rallied from an 11-9 deficit in the third set and closed out the match with a 16-7 run to win 25-16.

Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) paced the Americans with a match-high 16 points via 12 kills, two blocks and two aces. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) added 14 points off the bench with 11 kills, two aces and a block. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) tacked on six kills, a match-high four blocks and an ace for 11 points. Hill and Murphy are rookies on the U.S. Women’s National Team, while Gibbemeyer is seeing her first action in FIVB competition.

Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) tallied three blocks , one ace and one kill for five points. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) downed five kills in the victory, while Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) record four kills and a block for five points. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) totaled three points in the victory and Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) rounded out the scoring with two kills in the final set.

Kristin Hildebrand passes versus Poland. (FIVB photo)

“Poland is a strong team, and played well today - we were just able to execute our game plan better than they were,” said Hildebrand, who is serving as team captain. “I thought our block and defense did a great job... And our setters did a great job running our offense with speed, which was difficult for Poland to keep up with. I am proud of Team USA and looking forward to one more win tomorrow against a tough Brazil team.”

Glass turned in 18 running sets on 66 set attempts while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added three running sets. Team USA converted 38.7 percent of its attacks into kills with a .234 hitting efficiency. Glass also added a team-high 16 digs, while Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) added 11 digs. Hill tallied a team-best eight excellent receptions on 23 attempts.

Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Paolini at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the designated libero for the match. Murphy was a sub in the first set and started the next two sets. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) played in all three sets as a reserve, while Jenna Hagglund was part of a double switch in the first two sets.

Lauren Paolini swings for a point. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

The Americans held a 12-5 advantage in blocks to go with a 43-33 margin in kills. Team USA out-scored Poland at the service line 6-4.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (8), Nicole Fawcett (14) and Alisha Glass (left) react to a key point versus Poland. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata led Poland with 11 points, while Zuzanna Efimienko added 10 points.

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Kim Hill attacks over the Poland block. (FIVB photo)

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8/4 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 23 18 20 BRA 17 25 25 25 U.S. Women’s Win Streak Snapped by Brazil CAMPINAS, Brazil (Aug. 4, 2013) – The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team lost to Brazil 17-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 in a marquee matchup of the world’s top two teams on Aug. 4 during FIVB World Grand Prix Pool A in Campinas, Brazil.

Alisha Glass sets during the Team USA’s match with Brazil. (FIVB photo)

Team USA dropped to 2-1 in the World Grand Prix with six points. The U.S. had its World Grand Prix win streak snapped at 18 matches dating back to the 2011 Final Round. Second-ranked and Pool A host Brazil improved to 3-0 with eight points to end the first weekend of the preliminary round.

The U.S. trailed 7-5 early in the opening set, but forged to a 16-12 advantage as Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) served two straight aces after a kill. The USA went on a 7-1 run with Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) scoring five kills and a block in the spurt to establish a 23-14 lead en route to a 25-17 victory.

Team USA scored five unanswered to take a 9-6 advantage in the second set, but Brazil countered with a 6-0 run to gain a 20-17 advantage and held on for a 25-23 victory. In the third set, Brazil overcame a 8-6 deficit by scoring six of seven points to build a 12-9 advantage and went on to win 25-18.

Brazil came back from a 13-8 deficit in the fourth set to take a 15-14 advantage on a 7-1 run. However, Hill put down two kills to spark a 4-0 American run to take a 19-16 lead. Brazil came out of a timeout to score eight unanswered points to regain the lead at 24-19 and went on to win 25-20.

Hill led the U.S. in scoring with 16 points on 13 kills, two aces and a block.

Harmotto finished the match with 14 points on 12 kills and two blocks. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) chipped in 11 points on 10 kills and a block. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) charted 11 points with nine kills, one block and one ace. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) charted three kills and two blocks all in the fourth set.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) tallied four kills and a block for five points.

Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) scored two blocks and Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with a kill.

Left: Kristin Hildebrand attacks against Brazil. Right: Kim Hill hits down the line past the Brazil block. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photos)

Glass provided 36 running sets on 108 set attempts while also contributing a team-high 14 digs. Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) added 10 digs, while Hill was credited with 18 excellent receptions on 48 attempts.

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly, who lost for the first time in 11 matches (10-1) as the head coach of the program, started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the designated libero for the match. Fawcett and Paolini started the fourth set in place of Murphy and Gibbemeyer, respectively. Lichtman was a sub in the first three sets, while Hagglund was a sub in the second and third sets.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Alisha Glass (1) block a Brazil shot. (USAV/ Bill Kauffman photo)

Team USA held a 10-8 margin in blocks while Brazil had a 56-52 edge in kills.

The Americans also produced a 3-1 margin in aces. Brazil took advantage of 27 USA errors and limited its miscues to 21.

Brazil was led in scoring by Gabriela Braga Guimaraes and Fernanda Rodrigues with 14 points each and Juicely Barreto with 12 points.

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Kelly Murphy (in front of attack) and Christa Harmotto (13) go for a block against Brazil.

(USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

Kelly Murphy attacks against Brazil with Karch Kiraly watching the action.

(USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

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8/9 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 ALG 12 15 11 U.S. Women Sweep Algeria at World Grand Prix BELGRADE, Serbia (Aug. 9, 2013) – The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team dominated Algeria 25-12, 25-15, 25-11 with 11 different players scoring on Aug. 9 during Pool F of the FIVB World Grand Prix being held at Belgrade, Serbia.

Lauren Gibbemeyer attacks without a block in front of her. (FIVB photo)

The U.S. improves to 3-1 overall with nine points, while No. 14 Algeria is still in search of its first win and point after four matches.

The U.S. broke away from a slim 4-3 lead over Algeria in the opening set with a 13-2 run that included nine unanswered points to reach a 17-5 advantage en route to a 25-10 victory. Team USA scored the first four points of the second set and built a 14-8 advantage before Algeria climbed to within three at 14-11. The Americans finished out strong scoring 11 of the next 15 points to win 25-15. In the final set, the U.S. rolled to a 5-0 start and cruised for a 25-11 victory.

The two teams had met only once previously, which the U.S. won in straight sets during the 2011 FIVB World Cup in Okayama, Japan.

Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio), who started in her first-ever FIVB World Grand Prix match, tallied nine kills, one block and one ace for a match-high 11 points.

Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) came off the bench to score nine points on six kills, two aces and a block. Regan Hood (Dallas) and Juliann Faucette (San Diego) subbed into the match and provided seven points apiece.

Left: Kayla Banwarth passes versus Algeria. Right: Cassidy Lichtman takes a swing. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photos)

Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) added five points in just the opening set, while Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) added five kills. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.), Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) and Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) all chipped in two points each. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) and Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with a point apiece.

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) recorded a U.S.-high nine digs in the victory in addition to three excellent receptions on 12 attempts. Thompson dished out a team-high 16 running sets on 53 set attempts, while Glass was credited with seven running sets on 14 attempts. Lichtman chipped in three excellent receptions on six attempts to go with four digs.

Team USA produced a 50.0 kill percent with a .385 hitting efficiency. The U.S. produced advantage in aces (6-0) and blocks (7-4) against Algeria, while also tallying a 39-15 margin in kills. Algeria committed 23 errors in the match to the Americans’ 19.

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match. Thompson and Faucette subbed into the match the first set and started the last two sets.

Hood and Lichtman started the final two sets, while Paolini was a sub in the second set and started the third set.

Algeria was led by Safia Boukhima and Aicha Mezemate with five points each.

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Top: Rachael Adams (22) and Regan Hood (18) block a Brazil shot.

(USAV/Bill Kauffman photo) Left: Alisha Glass (1) and Rachael Adams (22) go for a block against Algeria (FIVB photo)

Juliann Faucette hits away from the Algeria block. (FIVB photo)

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8/10 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 NED 20 16 12 U.S. Women Block Netherlands at World Grand Prix BELGRADE, Serbia (Aug. 10, 2013) – The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team used balanced scoring and a 12-5 block advantage to defeat Netherlands 25-20, 25-16, 25-12 on Aug. 10 in the FIVB World Grand Prix Pool F being held at Belgrade, Serbia.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Kristin Hildebrand (10) joust at the net with Netherlands (FIVB photo)

The U.S. improves to 4-1 overall with 12 points, while the Netherlands falls to 1-4 with three points.

The U.S. rallied from a 17-15 deficit to Netherlands in the opening set by scoring 10 of the final 13 points of the set for a 25-20 victory. Team USA overcame eight errors in the set as Netherlands stayed close with only one error in the period.

The Americans built an early 11-6 lead in the second set that include aces to that point, then went on to win 25-16 with five total aces in the set and four blocks.

Team USA rolled to a 6-0 start in the third set and carried out a 25-12 victory with five blocks in the frame.

The American victory snapped a three-match losing streak to the Netherlands during FIVB World Grand Prix matches. The Netherlands had won the most recent World Grand Prix matches in 2005, 2007 and 2009. However, the U.S. still maintains a 27-11 lead in the all-time series since 1983, including a victory in the 2010 FIVB World Championships.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) led three Americans in double-digit scoring with 14 points, including 10 kills on 15 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) chipped in 12 kills on 18 swings and a block for 13 points. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) charted 10 kills on 24 attacks and two blocks for 12 points.

Left: Kayla Banwarth passes versus Netherlands. Right: Lauren Gibbemeyer attacks out of the middle versus Netherlands. (FIVB photos)

Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) contributed seven kills on 20 swingsand two aces for nine points, while Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) started just one set in compiling two kills and three blocks. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) added five points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) served two aces to go with a block for three points, while Juliann Faucette (San Diego) provided three points. Regan Hill (Dallas), playing on her birthday, totaled a kill and ace for two points, while Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with a kill.

Glass led the U.S. to a 49.0 kill percent and .357 hitting efficiency (48-13-98) with 20 running sets on 55 set attempts. Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) added eight running sets on 19 set attempts. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) charted team-highs in both excellent receptions (10 on 14 attempts) and digs with seven.

Hill added five digs and seven excellent receptions on 20 attempts.

Along with a 12-5 block advantage, the U.S. produced a 7-2 margin in aces. Team USA nearly doubled the offensive attack production with a 48-25 margin in kills.

Netherlands limited its errors to eight for the match, while the U.S. committed 16 errors. The Americans held Netherlands to a .104 hitting efficiency (25-16-86) and a 29.1 kill percent.

Kayla Banwarth (left), Kristin Hildebrand (10) and Kim Hill (16) celebrate a point. (FIVB photo)

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match. Harmotto was a sub in the second set and started the third set for Adams. Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) entered as a sub in all three sets, while Faucette and Lichtman was subs in two sets each.

Netherland’s Anne Buijs totaled a team-high 13 points while no other teammate had more than six points in the loss.

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Courtney Thompson (3) and Christa Harmotto (13) look at each other after blocking Netherlands.

(USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

Rachael Adams serves during Team USA’s win over Netherlands.

(FIVB photo) 35

8/11 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 22 25 23 15 SRB 14 25 17 25 12 U.S. Women Edge Host Serbia in Five BELGRADE, Serbia (Aug. 11, 2013) – Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) scored six of her match-high 25 points in the deciding fifth set to lead the top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 25-14, 22-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-12 victory over host and previously undefeated Serbia on Aug. 11 in the FIVB World Grand Prix Pool F being held at Belgrade, Serbia.

Kristin Hildebrand passes versus Serbia with Kayla Banwarth behind her.

(FIVB photo)

The U.S. improves to 5-1 overall with 14 points, while ninth-ranked Serbia falls to 5-1 with 16 points and in third place in World Grand Prix.

The U.S. is now 6-2 all-time against Serbia, including three-set wins at the 2012 Olympic Games and during the third weekend of the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix.

Seven of the eight matches in the all-time series have been since 2011.

Murphy scored her 25 points with 22 kills on 42 attacks, two blocks and an ace.

Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) chalked up nine kills on 17 attacks to go with a match-high six blocks for 15 points. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) tacked on 11 points with eight kills, two blocks and an ace. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) reached 11 points with nine kills on 30 attacks and two aces. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) added nine points with seven kills on 15 swings, one block and one ace.

Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) added two points with a kill and block, while Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) and Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) each recorded an ace. Juliann Faucette (San Diego) rounded out the scoring with a kill.

Kelly Murphy hits above the Serbia block and Karch Kiraly intently watching from the sideline. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

The U.S. turned in a .242 hitting efficiency (57-25-132) and 43.2 kill percent as Glass provided 23 running sets on 94 set attempts and Thompson added three running sets. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa), Hildebrand and Hill all were credited with 11 excellent receptions. Hill charted a team-high eight digs and Hildebrand added six digs.

Team USA held advantages over Serbia in kills (57-50) and aces (7-4), while Serbia held a slim 13-12 margin in blocks. The Americans benefited from 34 errors by Serbia and limited their miscues to 26. The U.S. charted a 22-19 edge in digs, while Serbia had 52 excellent receptions on 100 attempts to the Americsns’ 33 on 79 attempts.

In the deciding fifth set, Thompson ( came off the bench and immediately served an ace to yield a 4-2 advantage to the U.S. Serbia knotted the score at 7-all with a block and took its first lead of the fifth set at 9-8. Team USA went back in front 10-9 with a Gibbemeyer block after a Serbia service error. The Americans pushed a two-point cushion at 13-10 with two kills from Murphy around a kill by Hildebrand. The U.S. sided out to a 15-12 victory ending on a Serbia service error.

Left: Christa Harmott pounds an attack past Serbia. (Right) Kayla Banwarth passes to Alisha Glass. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photos)

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match. Thompson was sub in all five sets, while Lichtman entered off the bench in the final four sets. Faucette was subbed into the match the first two sets.

Jovana Brakocevic led Serbia with 22 points, while Brankica Mihajlovic added 20 points in the loss.

Team USA celebrates the winning point after a hard-fought win over host Serbia. (FIVB photo)

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Alisha Glass sets versus Serbia.

(FIVB photo)

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8/16 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 CZE 20 20 23 U.S. Women Take Czech Republic in Tough Three-Setter SENDAI, Japan (Aug. 16, 2013) – Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) notched 15 points to lead the top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 25-20, 25-20, 25-23 victory over Czech Republic on Aug. 16 to open the FIVB World Grand Prix Pool M, the third preliminary weekend for the event, in Sendai, Japan.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) celebrates a point by giving credit back to her setter Alisha Glass (1). (FIVB photo)

Team USA improved to 6-1 overall with 17 points to remain in the hunt for one of five spots available to join host Japan in the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round being staged Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 in Sapporo, Japan. Czech Republic, ranked 24th in the world, fell to 2-5 with six points.

The U.S. and Czech Republic were meeting for just the fifth time in the all-time series with the Americans having won the previous four head-to-head meetings, the most recent coming during the 2010 FIVB Volleyball World Championship in Nagoya, Japan.

The U.S. used a 9-3 scoring run against Czech Republic to overcome an 11-9 deficit in the opening set to take an 18-14 advantage and went on to win 25-20.

In the second set, the teams were tied 10 times with four lead switches before the U.S. steamrolled to a 15-10 advantage on a 6-0 run and pushed to a 25-20 victory. The Americans rallied from a 17-14 deficit in the third set with a 3-0 run the even the score, then pushed in front 22-20 with four unanswered points en route to a 25-23 victory.

Hildebrand reached 15 points via 14 kills on 22 attacks and a block. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) chipped in seven kills on 22 swings and three blocks for 10 points. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) charted six kills on 20 attacks and two blocks for eight points. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) tallied four blocks and three kills for seven points without starting a set. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) produced six kills and a block for seven points. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) pocketed three kills and a block for four points, while Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) added two kills and a block for three points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) each served an ace in the victory.

Alisha Glass sets to the outside against Czech Republic. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

Glass provided 21 running sets on 57 set attempts as Team USA converted 41.8 percent of its attacks with a .255 hitting efficiency (41-16-98). Hill totaled 15 excellent receptions on 34 attempts, while Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) added four excellent receptions and five digs.

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Paolini at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the libero for the match. Harmotto subbed into the match during the second set and started the third set in place of Paolini. Fawcett and Hagglund were part of a double-sub in all three sets. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) was a serving sub in the opening set.

Left: Kelly Murphy hammers an attack versus Czech Republic. (Right) Kristin Hildebrand hits past Czech Republic. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photos)

Team USA out-blocked Czech Republic 13-8 in the victory and held a 41-36 margin in kills. Czech Republic scored a 4-2 edge in aces. The Americans, who also had a 15-14 edge in digs, took advantage of 19 Czech Republic errors and held their own miscues to 15. Overall, the U.S. defense limited Czech Republic to a .140 hitting efficiency (36-21-107).

Czech Republic captain Aneta Havlickova tallied a team-high 15 points and teammate Tereza Vanzurova added 12 points.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (left) and Nicole Fawcett (right) stop a Czech Republic attack. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

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Kim Hill attacks versus Czech Republic. (FIVB photo)

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8/17 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 21 25 JPN 17 19 25 18 U.S. Women Block Host Japan for Four-Set Win SENDAI, Japan (Aug. 17, 2013) – The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team used a 20-6 block advantage and Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) scored 21 points to defeat Japan 25-17, 25-19, 21-25, 25-18 on Aug. 17 during the FIVB World Grand Prix Pool M, the third and final preliminary weekend for the event, in Sendai, Japan.

Tama Miyashiro lunges for a reception versus Japan. (FIVB photo)

Team USA, which entered the day in fourth place, improved to 7-1 overall with 20 points to remain in the hunt for one of five spots available to join host Japan in the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round. Japan, ranked No. 3 in the world, dropped to 6-2 with 17 points.

The U.S. jumped to a 9-3 lead in the opening set, but Japan rallied to tie the score at 11-all. However, the U.S. gained momentum again with a 3-0 run and cruised to a 25-17 victory. After the U.S. bolted to a 6-1 lead in the second set, Japan charged back to within one at 7-6. The Americans upped the set again at 11-6 with four unanswered points and stretch the gap to 20-12 before closing at 25-19. The third set was close most of the way until Japan collected four straight points to take a 22-19 advantage en route to a 25-21 victory. Team USA took a 7-1 advantage in the fourth set and withstood every Japan charge to win 25-18.

The U.S. is now 4-0 versus Japan in 2013 as the Americans won all three matches in Southern California as part of the USA Volleyball Cup. The two teams have met 225 times since 1983 with Japan holding a slim 113-102 series advantage.

Regan Hood passes versus Japan. (FIVB photo)

Hildebrand reached her match-high 21 points with 16 kills on 37 attacks, four blocks and one ace. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) totaled 14 kills on 32 swings, one block and one ace for 16 points. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) contributed a match-high seven blocks, one more than Japan had as a team, to go with four kills on 12 attacks for 11 points. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) tacked on nine kills on 28 swings, one block and one ace for 11 points.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) chalked up seven kills on 15 errorless attacks and two blocks for nine points, while Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) added four blocks and one kill for five points as a reserve in all three sets. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) collected two kills, one block and one ace for four points, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) rounded out the scoring with an ace.

The U.S. converted 39.3 percent of its attacks with a .267 hitting efficiency (53-17-135) as Glass provided 18 running sets on 78 attempts and Hagglund added six running sets on 30 attempts. Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was credited with a team-high seven digs and added seven excellent receptions on 14 errorless chances. Hill turned in a team-high 11 excellent service receptions.

Left: Alisha Glass (1) sets Christa Harmotto (13). (Right) Karch Kiraly provides instructions from the sideline. (FIVB photos)

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the libero for the match. Fawcett and Hagglund were subs in all four sets, while Regan Hood (Dallas) was a sub in the first set. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) came in to serve in the third set.

Team USA held a 53-43 advantage in kills to go with its 20-6 differential in blocks.

Both teams served five aces in the victory. Japan, which had a 20-15 margin in digs, took advantage of 25 American errors and limited its miscues to 18.

Japan’s Saori Kimura led her squad with 13 points, while Miyu Nagaoka came off the bench in the third set to score 12 points.

Christa Harmotto attacks from the middle without a Japan blocker in front of her. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

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Kristin Hildebrand swings for a point against host Japan.

(FIVB photo)

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8/18 1 2 3 4 5 USA 16 25 20 25 15 BLG 25 23 25 15 8 U.S. Women Rally Past Bulgaria to Qualify for Final Round SENDAI, Japan (Aug. 18, 2013) – The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team concluded the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round by rallying past Bulgaria 16-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-15, 15-8 on Aug. 18 in Sendai, Japan.

Nicole Fawcett attacks versus Bulgaria (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

With the victory, Team USA advanced to the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round.

The Americans finished the nine-match preliminary round with an 8-1 overall record with 22 points and on a six-match win streak. Bulgaria, which had wins over No. 2 Brazil and No. 3 Japan earlier in the tournament, ended the preliminary round with a 6-3 record and 19 points.

Bulgaria took an early 7-2 lead with seven unanswered points in the opening set and cruised to a 25-16 victory. Team USA, which trailed as much as 12-7 in the second set, rallied from a 23-20 deficit by scoring the final five points to claim a 25-23 victory and even the match at one set apiece. Bulgaria scored five unanswered points to take a 20-17 advantage in the third set and went on to win 25-20. Team USA used a 5-0 run to stake a 12-7 advantage in the fourth set, then produced a second 5-0 run extending the gap to 23-14 en route to winning 25-15 and secure a spot into the Final Round. In the tiebreaking set, the American opened up a 10-3 advantage and finished strong with a 15-8 victory.

Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) paced the U.S. scoring with 15 points on 13 kills on 29 attacks, one block and one ace. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio), who came off the bench and started the final three sets, picked up 13 points with 11 kills on 29 attacks and two aces. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) charted 12 kills on 31 swings and a block for 13 points. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) tacked on nine kills on 17 errorless attacks and three blocks for 12 points.

Lauren Paolini hits past the Bulgaria defense. (FIVB photo)

Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) racked up nine kills off the bench. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) pocketed four blocks and two aces for six points, while Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) added three kills and two blocks for five points. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) totaled three kills and Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with an ace.

The U.S. converted on 43.8 percent of its attacks with a .270 hitting efficiency (60-23-137) as Glass was credited with 40 running sets on 99 set attempts.

Hill contributed a team-high 21 excellent receptions on 47 attempts, while Hildebrand was eight of 19 on service receptions. Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was credited with six excellent receptions on 17 attempts along with a team-high four digs.

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the libero for the match. Fawcett was a sub in the first and second sets before starting the final three sets in place of Murphy. Paolini subbed into the match in the second set and started the final three sets in place of Gibbemeyer. Lichtman was a serving sub in all five sets, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) was a sub in the first and third sets.

Left: Christa Harmotto attacks versus Bulgaria. Right: Kristin Hildebrand hits past the block. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photos)

The U.S. held a 60-55 advantage in kills and both teams served six aces in the match. Bulgaria managed a 14-11 margin in blocks. The Americans held their errors to 21 for the match and took advantage of 24 Bulgarian errors. Bulgaria converted 39.6 percent of its attacks with a .252 hitting efficiency (55-20-139).

Bulgaria’s Elitsa Vasileva produced a match-high 20 points and Emiliya Nikolova added 16 points. Hristina Ruseva tallied a match-high six blocks as part of a 14-point match.

Team USA celebrates its win over Bulgaria enabling it to advance to the Final Round (FIVB photo)

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Christa Harmotto directs her attack away from the Bulgaria block. (FIVB photo)

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8/28 1 2 3 4 5 USA 19 12 10 BRA 25 25 25 U.S. Women Fall in Final Round Opener to Brazil SAPPORO, Japan (Aug. 28, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team lost to Brazil 25-19, 25-12, 25-10 in the opening FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round match on Aug. 28 at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in Sapporo, Japan.

Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) led the U.S. in scoring with seven kills, two blocks and an ace for 10 points. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) added four kills and a block for five points, Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) chipped in three kills and an ace for four points. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) tallied two kills, a block and an ace for four points. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.), Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) and Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) each totaled three points.

Team USA during the National Anthem prior to the start of the Final Round. (FIVB photo)

Glass was credited with 23 running sets on 72 set attempts. Hildebrand tallied a team-high eight digs while Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) added five digs.

Hill secured a team-high 18 excellent receptions on 39 total attempts.

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the libero for the match. Fawcett subbed into the first set and started the final two sets in place of Murphy. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) was a sub in the first and third sets, while Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Regan Hood (Dallas) were reserves in the second set. Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) was a sub in the final set.

Nicole Fawcett (14) blocks Brazil with Lauren Gibbemyer next to her.

(USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

Brazil held advantages in each of the three scoring phases of the game with a 42-22 margin in kills, 13-7 advantage in blocks and 4-3 edge in aces. Further, Brazil held its errors to nine for the match and took advantage of 16 Team USA miscues. The Americans held a 20-15 advantage in digs.

Brazil’s Thaisa Menezes and Fernanda Rodrigues each tallied 13 points in the victory, while Gabriela Guimaraes added 11 points.

Brazil used a 7-0 run to push in front 16-10 in the first set after trailing 8-7 at the first technical timeout. Brazil pushed out ot a 19-10 advantage and went on to win 25-19. In the second set, Brazil pocketed nine unanswered points to take a 12-5 lead after it fell behind 4-2. That momentum allowed Brazil to end the set with a 25-12 victory. Brazil opened the third set with a 5-1 advantage and controlled the entire set, scoring the final nine of 10 points for a 25-10 victory.

Kim Hill (16) and Christa Harmotto (13) block Brazil. (FIVB photo)

Left: Kristin Hildebrand hits versus the Brazil. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo). Right: Christa Harmotto gets a hand on a Brazil attack. (FIVB photo)

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Alisha Glass sets versus Brazil. (FIVB photo)

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8/29 1 2 3 4 5 USA 23 25 18 23 SRB 25 20 25 25 U.S. Women Drops Second Final Round Match to Serbia SAPPORO, Japan (Aug. 29, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team lost to Serbia 25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23 on Aug. 29 during the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round being held in Sapporo, Japan.

Kim Hill swings by Serbia with Tama Miyashiro (5) covering. (FIVB photo)

The U.S. dropped to 0-2 in the six-team round robin Final Round that takes place over five consecutive days. Serbia improved to 1-1 in the Final Round.

After Serbia built an early 12-5 lead in the opening set, the Americans charged back to within one at 17-16 but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 25-23 set loss. The U.S. built a 17-13 advantage in the second set with a 4-0 run, then closed out the set with three unanswered points for a 25-20 victory to even the match. Serbia rallied from an 8-6 deficit in the third set with a 9-1 scoring spurt to take a 15-9 advantage en route to a 25-18 victory. Serbia scored consecutive points to break a 21-all tie in the fourth set leading to a 25-23 victory.

Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) led the Americans with a match-high 23 points on 21 kills via 38 attacks and two aces. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) and Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) each tallied 10 kills, two blocks and an ace for 13 points. Gibbemeyer produced a .714 hitting efficiency (10-0-14) without an attack error. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) charted 10 kills on 17 attacks and a block for 11 points. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) tallied five kills. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.), Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) all scored two points for the U.S. Regan Hood (Dallas) rounded out the scoring with a kill.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Jenna Hagglund celebrate. (FIVB photo)

Glass was credited with 16 running sets on 89 total set attempts as the Americans converted 50.0 percent of their attacks into points with a .364 hitting efficiency (59-16-118). Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) totaled a U.S.-high nine digs in the match, while Hildebrand contributed 11 excellent receptions on 24 attempts.

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the libero for the match. Fawcett and Hagglund were double subs in all four sets, while Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) was a serving sub in all four sets. Regan Hood (Dallas) was started the fourth set in place of Hill.

Serbia held slim advantages in all three scoring categories with a 60-59 margin in kills, 7-6 edge in aces and 9-7 advantage in blocks. Like the U.S., Serbia converted 50 percent of its attacks into points with a .408 hitting efficiency (60-11-120). Further, Serbia took advantage of 19 American errors and held its own miscues to 17.

Karch Kiraly walks through the World Grand Prix entrance. (FIVB photo)

Serbia’s Jovana Brakocevic scored a team-high 22 points and Brankica Mihajlovic added 20 points in the victory.

The U.S. defeated Serbia in five sets on Aug. 11 during the second preliminary weekend held in Belgrade. Serbia is the only team other than Brazil to have defeated the United States in World Grand Prix action since the second preliminary weekend of the 2010 edition.

Left: Lauren Gibbemeyer attacks versus Serbia. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo). Right: Christa Harmotto swings by Serbia. (FIVB photo)

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Kelly Murphy swings over the Serbia block.

(FIVB photo)

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8/30 1 2 3 4 5 USA 20 23 17 CHN 25 25 25 U.S. Women Fall to China in Battle of Legendary Head Coaches SAPPORO, Japan (Aug. 30, 2013) - The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team lost to fifth-ranked China 25-20, 25-23, 25-17 on Aug. 30 during the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round being held in Sapporo, Japan.

Karch Kiraly (right) shakes hands with Lang Ping as the two legendary players meet for the first time as coaches. (FIVB photo)

The U.S. fell to 0-3 in the six-team round robin Final Round that takes place over five consecutive days. China improved to 3-0 with eight points in the Final Round.

The match was the first meeting of playing legends Karch Kiraly and ‘Jenny’ Lang Ping as head coaches of their respective countries. Kiraly is in his first year as head coach of Team USA, while Lang Ping took over as China’s head coach this spring. She also led the U.S. to the silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games.

China scored the first six points of the match and led 8-1, but held off the Americans who closed to 20-18 in a 25-20 China victory. Team USA led the second set 4-0 and 18-14 before China recovered to win 25-23 with 11 of the last 16 points. The U.S. built an early 8-2 lead in the third set, but China rebounded with a 7-1 run to level the score at 9-all and then scored 10 of the final 12 points for a 25-17 victory.

“USA played a nice tournament to earn the right to be here in the Finals,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “It’s apparent that the teams here are the best in the world and have been able to play at a higher level as the tournament goes on and we haven’t been able to match their improvement. Congratulations to China; they’ve played a great tournament.

Lauren Gibbemeyer attacks against China. (FIVB photo)

Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) led the Americans with 11 points and captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) added 10 points that included a team-high three blocks. Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) tallied nine points, while Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) and Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) each produced seven points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) served two aces and Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with a block.

Glass was credited with 33 running sets on 100 set attempts leading to Team USA’s 32.7 kill percent and .178 hitting efficiency (35-16-107). Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) and Hildebrand each secured seven digs in the match.

Hildebrand had 11 excellent receptions on 16 errorless attempts.

Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the libero for the match. Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) and Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) were subs in all three matches, while Regan Hood (Dallas) and Paolini were subs in the first and third sets, respectively.

Team USA during the National Anthem. (FIVB photo)

China’s powerful attack led to a 47-35 advantage in kills and they took advantage of 18 errors by the U.S. The Chinese converted on 41.6 percent of their attacks with a .310 hitting efficiency (47-12-113). The Americans held slim edges in blocks (8-7) and aces (4-3).

“I’m pretty sure I know the USA team very well,” Lang Ping said. “They have a lot of great players who aren’t at this tournament. They have brought young, talented players and they are doing a great job. Before the match, I told my players we need to get used to their speed. We haven’t played a fast team yet, so we had to make the adjustment on court and learn to make quick transitions. In the second set today, I emphasized to the players that they must concentrate on defense.”

China’s Zhu Ting, a rising star at the age of 19, scored a match-high 23 points including three blocks of her team’s blocks.

Left: Cassidy Lichtman serves versus China. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo).

Right: Kelly Murphy (15) blocks China with Christa Harmotto (13) providing support. (FIVB photo)

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Tama Miyashiro digs versus China.

(FIVB photo)

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8/31 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 22 25 18 14 ITA 19 25 23 25 16 U.S. Women Suffer Heart-Breaking Loss to Italy in Five Sets SAPPORO, Japan (Aug. 31, 2013) – The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team suffered a heart-breaking 19-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18, 16-14 loss to Italy on Aug. 31 during the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round being held in Sapporo, Japan.

Lauren Gibbemeyer eyes a point versus Italy. (FIVB photo)

Both teams were in search of their first victory in the 2013 Final Round. The U.S. dropped to 0-4 with one point, while Italy improved to 1-3 with three points.

Team USA recovered from an early 7-5 deficit in the first set with a 10-1 scoring run to take a 15-8 lead en route to a 25-19 victory. The Americans came back from a 19-15 deficit in the second set to level the score at 19-all, but Italy held off the charge in winning 25-22. Team USA built a 20-14 lead over Italy in the third set and held on for a 25-23 victory. Italy sent the match into a tiebreaker as it built a 19-12 lead in the fourth set and powered to a 25-18 victory. The U.S. led 14-10 in the deciding set and thought it had won the match with a point at 14-11, but the referee called a touch and Italy went on to save four match points and finished the set with a 16-14 victory.

“Today was a difficult loss,” U.S. captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) said.

“In the fifth set, we thought we had the match at 15-11, but had a bad call from the referee. Our player didn’t touch the ball.”

Lauren Paolini (17) and Kristin Hildebrand (10) reach for a block of Italy.

(USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

“That was an extremely disappointing loss,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “Our team was in a great position to win and we thought we did win on the play the referee called the other way. Then we weren’t able to close the match out after working hard to put ourselves in that position. Congratulations to Italy for staying with it and coming back from a deficit at the end.”

Hildebrand led the U.S. with a team-high 18 points all on kills. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) and Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) added 15 points each. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) chipped in nine points with a team-high four blocks.

Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) and Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) tallied five points each, while Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) produced four points each. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) each served an ace.

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) secured a team-high 10 digs go with 11 excellent receptions on 21 errorless chances. Hill added 19 excellent receptions on 57 errorless attempts and six digs. Glass turned in 38 running sets on 147 chances as Team USA converted 34.5 percent of its attacks with a .170 hitting efficiency (59-30-171).

Left: Kristin Hildebrand attacks versus Italy. Right: Christa Harmotto swings versus Italy. (FIVB photos)

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match.

Team USA held a 6-2 margin in aces as both teams produced 12 blocks. Italy managed a slim 62-59 advantage in kills and had five fewer team errors (32-27).

Italy converted 38.3 percent of its attacks with a .253 hitting efficiency.

Italy’s Valentina Diouf totaled a match-high 31 points and Carolina Del Pilar Costagrande added 18 points in the victory.

Kim Hill attacks versus Italy.

(USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

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Kayla Banwarth makes an overhead pass versus Italy. (FIVB photo)

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9/1 1 2 3 4 5 USA 17 25 18 25 15 JPN 25 19 25 17 12 U.S. Women End Grand Prix Final Round with Win over Japan SAPPORO, Japan (Sept. 1, 2013) – Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) scored 22 points off the bench to lead top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 17-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-17, 15-12 victory over host Japan on Sept. 1 to conclude the 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round being held in Sapporo, Japan.

Lauren Paolini attacks through the Japan block. (FIVB photo)

The U.S., which was aiming to win the premier annual international women’s volleyball tournament for an unprecedented fourth time, ended the Final Round with a 1-4 record and three points for sixth place. Japan finished the tournament with a 1-4 record and five points for fourth place.

Japan pushed to an early 6-3 lead in the first set and did not allow the Americans closer than two the rest of the set for a 25-17 victory. The U.S. broke a 17-all tie in the second set with a 6-0 run en route to winning 25-19. In the third set, Japan broke an 18-all tie by scoring the final seven points to win 25-18. The U.S. sent the match to a fifth set with a 25-17 victory by breaking a 9-all tie with a 7-1 scoring run and closing the set with seven of the last nine points. The U.S. raced out to a 10-5 lead in the fifth set, but had to score the final three points to win 15-12 after Japan tied the score at 12-all with a 4-0 run.

Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) scored her 22 points with 19 kills and three blocks. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) added 17 points, followed by Lauren Gibbemeyer’s (St. Paul, Minn.) 12 points that included a team-high four blocks. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) added 11 points. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) turned in eight points off the bench, while Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) added five points. Rounding out the U.S. scoring was Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) with two points and Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) with one point.

Left: Lauren Gibbemeyer flies in for an attack. (FIVB photo). Right: Kim Hill ready to hammer the ball versus Japan. (USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

Glass, the tournament’s Best Setter, set the U.S. with 50 running sets on 136 chances as the Americans converted 41.7 percent of their attacks into points with a .269 hitting efficiency (65-23-156). Kayla Banwart (Dubuque, Iowa) led the U.S. defense with 11 digs, while Hill charted 25 excellent service receptions on 60 total chances.

Team USA surrounds Vabo-chan following a hardfought five-set win over Japan to conclude the FIVB World Grand Prix.

(FIVB photo)

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started Hildebrand and Hill at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Paolini at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match. Lichtman subbed into the match the first set and started the final four in place of Hildebrand.

Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) was a serving sub all five sets, while Regan Hood (Dallas) was a sub in the final three sets.

The U.S. held a 65-54 advantage in kills and 11-9 margin in blocks to offset 31 errors in the match to Japan’s 22. Japan held a slim 4-2 edge in aces, but a sizeable 45-17 dig advantage.

Japan’s Yukiko Ebata led the host country with a match-high 24 points, while Risa Shnnabe added 18 points.

The Americans have played Japan 226 times since 1983 with Japan holding a slim 113-103 series advantage. However, the U.S. is 5-0 versus Japan in 2013 as the Americans won all three matches in Southern California as part of the USA Volleyball Cup as well as a 3-0 victory on Aug. 18 in Sendai during the final World Grand Prix preliminary round weekend.

Alisha Glass presented with the Best Setter Award for the FIVB World Grand Prix. (FIVB photo)

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Nicole Fawcett came off the bench to lift the U.S. past Japan.

(USAV/Bill Kauffman photo)

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9/16 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 MEX 9 12 11 U.S. Women Too Much for Mexico in NORCECA Opener OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 16, 2013) – The United States got off to a strong start at the Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship with a 25-9, 25-12, 25-11 victory over Mexico on Sept. 16 at Ralston Arena.

Team USA during the National Anthem to open the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship.

The U.S. Women dominated Mexico with advantages in kills (43-17), blocks (9-2) and aces (6-2). They also took advantage of 17 Mexico errors while committing 11. Every athlete on the U.S. roster competed in the match and 10 out of the 12 scored at least one point.

“I thought we did a good job,” U.S. captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) said.

“We served really well, passed well and ran a fast offense. I thought a lot of people came off the bench and made great contributions.”

Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) led all scorers with 14 points on a match-high 12 kills and two aces. Outside hitter Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.), playing her first competitive match in Nebraska since she was a collegiate player at the University of Nebraska, added 11 points on seven kills, two blocks and two aces.

Middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) totaled 10 points on four kills and a match-high six blocks.

“Tonight, all 12 players we brought here made nice contributions against a feisty and spunky Mexican team,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “I loved how (Mexico) never gave up. They pursued a lot of balls on defense that other teams might not have been able to get over the net.”

Left: Lauren Gibbemeyer hammers the ball past Mexico. Right: Christa Harmotto attacks over Mexico.

U.S. libero Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa), who also played for the University of Nebraska, led all players in digs with 20 and also led in excellent receptions with 11.

(Photos copyright USAV/Eric Francis)

Among other U.S. scorers, opposite Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio), who played as a substitute in the second set and started the third, had eight points on eight kills.

Middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) had four points on three attacks and one block. Middle blocker Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) totaled four points on four kills. Hildebrand finished with three points on three attacks.

Lauren Paolini goes one-on-one with Mexico.

Setter Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added two points on two straight aces.

Starting setter Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) and outside hitter Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) each scored with one kill.

Glass was credited with 18 running sets and Hagglund, who started the third set, was credited with six.

Kiraly started Hildebrand and Larson-Burbach at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Harmotto at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite, Glass at setter and Banwarth at libero. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) substituted in the second set and started the third at outside hitter. Fawcett substituted in the second set and started the third at opposite. Paolini started the second and third sets at middle blocker. Hagglund started the third set at setter and Kim Hill started the second set at outside hitter.

Nicole Fawcett hammers the ball versus Mexico.

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Kayla Banwarth (12) digs against Mexico with Jordan Larson-Burbach (10) behind her. (Photo copyright USAV/Eric Francis)

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9/18 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 CUB 9 13 12 U.S. Women Dominate Cuba, Advance to NORCECA Semifinals

Kelly Murphy (15) attacks past Cuba in the final pool play match.

OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 18, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Cuba 25-9, 25-13, 25-12 on Sept. 18 to win Pool B of the Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship at Ralston Arena.

The United States (2-0) ended the preliminary round with the top point ratio of the three pool winners. The Dominican Republic (2-0) and also advanced directly to the semifinal round.

The United States had little trouble defeating Cuba (0-2), which had lost a hardfought, five-set match to Mexico late on Tuesday night. The U.S. Women led in kills (39-17), blocks (11-2) and aces (9-1).

For a second straight match, every U.S. athlete had playing time.

U.S. middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) led all scorers with 13 points on eight kills and a match-high five blocks. Opposite Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) added 11 points on a match-high 10 kills and one ace. Middle blocker Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) came off the bench to start the second and third sets and finished with eight points, all on kills.

Christa Harmotto sends a shot past Cuba.

“I thought that tonight we did a really good job putting pressure on Cuba and focusing on our side of the net,” U.S. captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) said.

We played really clean for the majority of the match. We had a lot of people come off the bench and make great contributions.

“The crowd was awesome,” Hildebrand added. “It was fun to see more people come out and we’re hoping it will keep growing.”

Among other U.S. scorers, Hildebrand tallied six points on five attacks and one block. Outside hitter Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) totaled six points on one kill, two blocks and a match-high three aces. Outside hitter Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) entered the match in the second set and scored five points on three attacks and two aces.

Opposite Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio), who played as a substitute in the third set, compiled four kills. Middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) scored three points on two kills and one block in the first set. Setter Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) scored two points on two blocks.

Glass was credited with 18 running sets. Backup setter Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) had four running sets. The two combined to set the U.S. women to a 58.6 kill percent and a .500 hitting efficiency.

Left: Lauren Gibbemeyer attacks on a slide against a late block. Right: Kristin Hildebrand slams a kill down the line.

U.S. libero Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) was credited with a match-leading nine digs and nine excellent receptions.

Jordan Larson-Burbach passes the Molten.

(Photos copyright USAV/Eric Francis

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Alisha Glass sets versus Cuba.

(Photo copyright USAV/Eric Francis)

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9/20 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 CAN 22 14 15 U.S. Women Overcomes Slow Start Versus Canada, Win 3-0 OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 20, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Team got through a tight first set to defeat Canada 25-22, 25-14, 25-15 and advanced to the final of the Visit Omaha NORCECA Continental Championship on Sept. 20 at Ralston Arena.

Jordan Larson-Burbach is all eyes and hands ready for the block.

The U.S. Women (3-0) will play the Dominican Republic (3-0) in Saturday’s gold medal match, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT. Canada held a 13-11 lead in the first set and kept the set close until the score was tied 21-21. U.S. setter Alisha Glass scored with a kill and middle blocker Lauren Paolini added an ace to put the U.S. ahead 23-21. Canada came back with a block. But Canada’s serving error followed by a block from middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) gave the U.S. the victory. The U.S. did not struggle in the next two sets.

“They came out serving tough and passing well,” U.S. Team Captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) said. “They were defending a lot of balls. I think we were surprised at how well they were defending our offense.”

The U.S. Women led in kills (36-24) and aces (7-4). They also took advantage of 26 Canada team errors while committing only 19. Canada led in blocks (8-6). “(In the first set) I feel like we were waiting for them to make some errors and they didn’t,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “They played some nice clean volleyball. At some point, we had to make a decision to try to be proactive and not just wait; but start forcing them into some less-comfortable situations.”

Kayla Banwarth (12) and Kristin Hildebrand provided knockout defense versus Canada.

Hildebrand said she was looking forward to an exciting gold medal match before an enthusiastic crowd on Saturday against Dominican Republic.

(Photos copyright USAV/Eric Francis)

“The Dominican Republic is a great team,” Hildebrand said. “Every single time we play them it’s a battle. I’m really excited to play them and I’m really excited to play for this crowd too. This week has been great.”

Opposite Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) led all scorers with 12 points on a matchhigh 11 kills and one block. Outside hitter Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) added 10 points on five kills, two blocks and a match-high three aces. Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) totaled nine points on seven attacks and two blocks.

Lauren Paolini hits off the fingertips of Canada.

Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) added eight points on seven attacks and one ace.

Hildebrand finished with seven points on six kills and one block. Glass (Leland, Mich.) finished with two points on a kill and an ace. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.), who played as a serving substitute, came through with an ace.

Glass was credited with 22 running sets. U.S. libero Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) was credited with seven digs and 14 excellent receptions. Larson-Burbach led the team in digs with 11.

Kiraly started Larson-Burbach and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Paolini at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite, Glass at setter and Banwarth at libero. Lichtman, Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) all played as substitutes.

Omaha welcomed state hero Jordan Larson-Burbach and her serve.

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Kelly Murphy paced the U.S. over Canada.

(Photo copyright USAV/Eric Francis)

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9/21 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 26 21 25 DOM 19 24 25 19 U.S. Women Win NORCECA Title, Defeat Dominican Republic

Kayla Banwarth set up the offense with pin-point passing.

OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 21, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Team held off the hard-hitting Dominican Republic, 25-19, 26-24, 21-25, 25-19 to win the NORCECA Continental Championship on Sept. 21 at Ralston Arena.

The U.S. Women finish the tournament at 4-0 in matches and 12-1 in sets.

Opposite Kelly Murphy was named most valuable player and the tournament’s Best Spiker. Outside hitter Jordan Larson-Burbach delighted the Nebraska crowd by being named Best Server and Alisha Glass was named Best Setter.

The victory qualifies the U.S. Women for the FIVB Grand Champions Cup in November in Japan. They will compete against the winners of the other four zonal championships.

After losing the third set on Saturday, the U.S. Women used a 12-1 scoring run to overcome a 14-11 deficit in the fourth set. Murphy served for four straight points and Team Captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) served for another six.

“We knew this was going to be our toughest match, so we just kept saying, ‘stay patient. Just play USA Volleyball,’” Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) said. “I think sometimes we let that get away from us a little bit. But we’re always good about getting it back to center.”

Left: Lauren Gibbemeyer hits over the Dominican Republic block. Right: Kristin Hildebrand attacks around the block.

The Dominican Republic led the U.S. in successful attacks (60-51). The United States led in blocks (12-7) and in aces (5-2). They also took advantage of 29 Dominican team errors while committing only 18.

“I’m proud of this group,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “Every one of these athletes made a meaningful, significant and critical contribution this week.”

Murphy led the U.S. in scoring with 18 points on 15 kills, two blocks and one ace. Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) added 15 points on 12 kills, one block and two aces. Middle blocker Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) totaled 12 points on eight attacks and four blocks.

Hildebrand at outside hitter added 11 points on 10 kills and one block. Middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) totaled five points on four kills and one block. Glass finished with five points on one kills, two blocks and two aces.

Middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.), who entered the match as a substitute in the fourth set, scored two points on a key kill and block.

The U.S. block stifled the Dominican Republic attack all night.

Glass was credited with 52 running sets. Libero Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa), another Cornhusker, was credited with 12 digs and 28 excellent receptions.

Larson-Burbach led the team in digs with 13.

Kiraly started Larson-Burbach and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Paolini and Gibbemeyer at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite, Glass at setter and Banwarth at libero. Harmotto, opposite Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio), setter Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio), outside hitter Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) and outside hitter Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) all played as substitutes.

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(Photos copyright USAV/Eric Francis)

Jenna Hagglund (middle) congratulates teammate Kayla Banwarth after Team USA wins the gold.

Karch Kiraly leads the Team USA timeout.

(Photo copyright USAV/Eric Francis)

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USA Wins NORCECA Championship Murphy Chosen MVP, Best Spiker Glass Tabbed Best Setter Larson-Burbach Named Best Server U.S. Women Win NORCECA Title, Defeat Dominican Republic OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 21, 2013) – Kelly Murphy of the United States was selected the 2013 Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship most valuable player and Best Spiker as she helped the United States to the tournament title on Saturday at Ralston Arena.

Top: Alisha Glass receives Best Setter Award from Doug Wilson. Bottom: Jordan Larson-Burbach accepts Best Server Award from Monica Paul.

Murphy collected 55 points in the tournament to rank sixth in scoring and converted 49.0 percent of her attacks into points.

Puerto Rico’s Karina Ocasio was the Best Scorer of the tournament. The United States also earned two other individual award winners. Alisha Glass was tabbed Best Setter and Jordan Larson-Burbach was chosen Best Server. Dominican Republic’s Brenda Castillo was selected as the Best Digger, while Debora Seilhamer was chosen as Best Receiver. Canada’s Janie Guimond was tabbed as Best Libero and Trinidad & Tobago’s Sinead Jack captured the Best Blocker.

The championship also selected an All-Star Team comprised of two outside hitters, two middle blockers, one opposite, one setter and one libero based on the top ranking. The outside hitters named to the team were Dominican Republic’s Bethania de La Cruz and Puerto Rico’s Aurea Cruz. The middle blockers selected were Trinidad & Tobago’s Sinead Jack and Dominican Republic’s Candida Perez.

The setter named to the All-Star Team was United States’ Alisha Glass, while the opposite was Murphy. Canada’s Janie Guimond was picked as the libero to the All-Star Team.

(Photos copyright USAV/Eric Francis)

The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team captured its seventh NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship title.

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Kelly Murphy accepts the most valuable player award from Ralston (Neb.) mayor Donald Groesser. (Photo copyright USAV/Eric Francis) 63

11/12 1 2 3 4 5 USA 24 24 20 BRA 26 26 25 U.S. Women Fall to Brazil in Three Close Sets NAGOYA, Japan (Nov. 12, 2013) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team lost to Brazil 26-24, 26-24, 25-20 in a battle of the top two teams in the world on Nov. 12 in Nagoya, Japan, to open the six-team FIVB Women’s World Grand Champions Cup.

Kayla Banwarth passes versus Brazil on the opening day.

Brazil scored three straight to take a 23-20 lead in the opening set, but the Americans saved two set points before the South Americans won the final two points for a 26-24 victory. Brazil saved one set point in the second set and won 26-24 after trailing 15-12. Brazil used a 9-1 scoring run to take a 21-14 advantage in the third set en route to 25-20.

“I don’t think either team played the way they want to,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “We are not in mid-season form.

Hopefully we can get better before the next match in 24 hours.”

Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) scored 14 points for the Americans, with all her points on kills via 35 attacks. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) added nine points with eight kills on 13 attacks and a block. Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) chipped in seven kills on 32 attacks and two blocks for nine points. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) turned in seven points with six kills and a blocks, while Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) charted four kills. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) totaled two kills on three attacks and a block for three points. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) rounded out the scoring with two kills.

Karch Kiraly signals to his players as they faced Brazil in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) totaled 14 digs for the U.S., while LarsonBurbach charted 11 digs. Glass set the Americans with 30 running sets leading to a 35.3 kill percent.

Kiraly started Larson-Burbach and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Paolini at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match. Hill was a sub for Hildebrand in the second set and started the third set. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) and Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) were subs in all three sets.

Brazil out-blocked the U.S. 10-5 and held a 2-0 service ace margin. The Americans held a slim 43-41 margin in kills. However, Brazil converted 36.0 percent of its attacks.

“This was a disappointing start for our team,” Hildebrand said. “Brazil is a great team and they showed it. We had chances to win both the first and second sets and didn’t do it.”

Brazil was led by Fernanda Rodrigues and Natalia Pereira with 13 points each.

(Left) Lauren Gibbemeyer attacks. (Right) Kristin Hildebrand swings away

Team USA during the FIVB Grand Champions Cup opening ceremony.

(Photos courtesy FIVB)

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Kelly Murphy slams an attack past Brazil.

(Photo courtesy FIVB)

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11/13 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 19 25 JPN 19 19 25 21 Team USA Evens Grand Champions Cup Record, Tops Japan NAGOYA, Japan (Nov. 13, 2013) – Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) and Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) each scored a match-high 20 points to lead the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 25-19, 25-19, 19-25, 25-21 victory over Japan on Nov. 13, the second day of the six-team round-robin FIVB Women’s World Grand Champions Cup in Nagoya, Japan.

Team USA during the National Anthem prior to playing host Japan.

The U.S. broke a 13-all tie in the opening set with a 3-0 run and pushed to a win 25-19. Team USA out-blocked Japan 5-0 in the set as seven Americans scored at least one point in the frame. Team USA rallied from a 13-10 deficit in the second set with a 6-0 run as part of an overall 13-3 spurt in winning 25-19. Japan jumped out to a 9-4 advantage in the third set with six unanswered points and gained a 25-19 victory to extend the match. Team USA used a 4-0 run in the fourth set to separate itself to a 12-8 advantage and went on to win 25-21.

Larson-Burbach scored her 20 points on 18 kills via 42 attacks and two blocks.

Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) scored nine of her 20 points in the final set to reach 17 kills on 44 swings, two blocks and an ace. American captain Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) added 16 points on 12 kills via 22 attacks and team-high four blocks.

Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) tacked on nine points via eight kills on 13 attacks and a block. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) charted seven kills on 16 attacks and a block for eight points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) tallied seven points on three kills on three swings, three blocks and an ace. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) and Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) rounded out the scoring with an ace each.

Alisha Glass (left) blocks a Japan with Lauren Paolini (17) assisting.

“Tonight was a great match,” Hildebrand said. “Every time we play Japan it is a battle. We blocked and defended well. We did a good job of executing our game plan. We also passed and served well.

Kristin Hildebrand hits around the Japan block.

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) charted a team-high 24 digs, while Lichtman and Glass each added eight digs. Glass was credited with 43 running sets to allow the U.S. offense to convert 46.1 percent of its attacks and a .362 hitting efficiency.

Larson-Burbach totaled 13 excellent receptions on 24 attempts, while Hildebrand was credited with nine excellent receptions on 37 attempts.

(Photos courtesy FIVB)

Prior to today’s match, the U.S. had defeated Japan in all five matches played in 2013 including three victories in the USA Volleyball Cup held in Southern California and two matches during the FIVB World Grand Prix in Japan.

“Japan is the team we have played against the most this year,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “They are always wellcoached and fight very hard. We always have battles with them and today was another one. They know us well and we know them well. We learned some of their offensive patterns when we trained with them last week in Tokyo.”

U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly started LarsonBurbach and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Paolini at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match.

Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio), Lichtman and Hill were subs in all four sets.

The U.S. held a 13-7 advantage in blocks and a slim 4-3 margin in aces. The Americans held their errors to 12 in the match, while Japan committed 22 errors.

Japan’s Yuki Ishii scored a team-high 19 points, while Saori Kimura added 13 points.

(Left) Jordan Larson-Burbach serves. (Right) Kelly Murphy attacks

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Alisha Glass sets Lauren Gibbemeyer versus host Japan. (Photo courtesy FIVB)

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11/15 1 2 3 4 5 USA 16 25 25 24 15 RUS 25 22 19 26 13 U.S. Women Overcome Slow Start, Beat Russia in Five TOKYO, Japan (Nov. 15, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team overcame a slow start to defeat Russia 16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 15-13 on Nov. 15 during the FIVB Women’s World Grand Champions Cup in Tokyo.

Kristin Hildebrand (left), Lauren Gibbemeyer (middle) and Nicole Fawcett (right) are all smiles after coming back versus Russia.

The U.S. improved to 2-1 in the tournament with five points, while Russia falls to 1-2 with four points. The U.S. fell behind by more than five points in each of the first four sets and came back to win two of the sets. After Russia forced a deciding fifth set, the U.S. won the final set 15-13 that included five lead changes.

Russia scored the first six points of the opening set and pushed its lead to 9-2 en route to a 25-16 victory. The U.S. trailed 16-12 at the second technical timeout of the second set before using an 11-3 burst moving to a 25-22 victory. Team USA trailed 16-11 at the third set’s second technical timeout, but Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) served the Americans to a 7-0 run with two aces and eased into a 25-19 victory. Russia built a 9-3 lead in the fourth set, only to have the Americans take a 19-18 lead thanks to its service game. However, Russia scored four of the final five points after a 3-0 U.S. run to win 26-24.

Jordan Larson-Burbach scored a U.S. team-high 23 points with 22 kills on 53 attacks and a block. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) came off the bench to score 15 points in the final four sets to help turn the tide. She tallied 10 kills on 32 attacks, three aces and two blocks. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) chipped in 12 points with nine kills on 22 attacks and three blocks. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) contributed 10 points with 10 kills on 22 attacks and just one error.

Karch Kiraly directs Nicole Fawcett in the midst of a play versus Russia.

Cursty Jackson (Los Angeles), playing in her first FIVB match, totaled eight points off the bench that included seven kills on 14 attacks and a block. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) totaled five points, while Lichtman added three aces as a sub. Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) recorded two aces, while Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) added two blocks. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with an ace.

“It was definitely a battle out there today,” Hildebrand said. “They played a great match, especially in the first set when they had us off our game. USA did a good job of staying together. We did well in serving and passing, and got a good contribution from the bench. I’m proud of everyone across the board; we had a lot of contributions from a lot of people.”

(Left) Kristin Hildebrand attacks over the Russia block. (Above) Lauren Gibbemeyer smashes a kill off the fingers.

Glass provided the USA offense with 28 running sets leading to a .233 hitting efficiency (63-25-163). Hildebrand and Larson-Burbach were credited with 11 excellent receptions each. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) recorded a teamhigh 13 digs.

(Photos courtesy FIVB)

Kiraly started Larson-Burbach and Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Paolini at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match. Fawcett and Jackson started the final four sets, while Lichtman started the fourth set and was a sub in the other four sets. Hill came in off the bench in all five sets, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio was a sub in the first four sets.

The U.S. used a dominant 9-2 service advantage to spark comebacks in the match and overcome a Russia 17-9 margin in blocks. Team USA held a slim 6362 margin in kills and converted 38.7 percent of its attacks into points. Russia converted 39.2 percent of its attacks.

Russia’s Natalia Malykh tallied a match-high 26 points and Liubov Shashkova added 22 points.

Alisha Glass presented with match most outstanding player award.

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Nicole Fawcett came off the bench to help rally Team USA past Russia (Photo copyright USAV/Bill Kauffman)

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11/16 1 2 3 4 5 USA 13 27 25 21 15 THA 25 25 22 25 13 Team USA Battles Back to Thwart Thailand in Five TOKYO, Japan (Nov. 16, 2013) – Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) notched 23 points to lead the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to a 13-25, 27-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13 victory over Thailand on Nov. 16 during the FIVB Women’s World Grand Champions Cup in Tokyo.

The U.S. improved to 3-1with seven points, while Thailand fell to 0-4 with one point.

(Left) Alisha Glass sets against Thailand. (Right) Jordan Larson-Burbach attacks versus the shorter Thailand block. (Photos courtesy FIVB)

Thailand used a 16-4 run in the opening set to take a 23-12 advantage en route to a 25-13 victory. Thailand held a 5-1 block advantage in the first set. The U.S. overcame its slow start again in the second set and used a 3-0 run to take a 20-18 advantage and held on for a 27-25 victory after Thailand had tied the score at 22-all. The U.S. controlled the later stages of the third set by scoring the final seven of 10 points for a 25-22 victory. The fourth set was close throughout until the closing points as Thailand scored four of the last five points for a 25-21 victory. Team USA used a 3-0 run in the fifth set to build a 12-9 advantage and ended the match with a 15-13 victory.

Larson-Burbach totaled 21 kills and two blocks for 23 points. Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) added 16 points with 14 kills and two blocks. Cursty Jackson (Los Angeles) totaled 12 kills and three blocks off the bench. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) chipped in 11 points with nine kills and two blocks in a reserve role.

Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) charted nine points, including eight kills and an ace, in starting the final four sets. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) tallied two blocks and a kill for three points, while Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) turned in three blocks. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) scored a kill and ace for two points, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) rounded out the scoring with an ace.

(Above) Lauren Paolini attacks off the Thailand block. (Below) Karch Kiraly encourages Team USA during its comeback win over Thailand.

(Photos copyrighted USAV)

Glass was credited with 54 running sets leading to a 37.9 USA kill percent and .286 hitting efficiency (69-17-182). Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) tallied a team-high nine digs and 14 excellent receptions, while Fawcett added six digs.

Lichtman totaled 27 excellent receptions on 43 chances with just on error. “(Thailand) plays a special style of volleyball,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “They play with great heart and a lot of fun, and that’s beautiful for volleyball – and hard when you’re across the net. It was another tough battle for us, but again USA had a wonderful team effort. Every one of our 12 athletes made an important contribution for our win today. The Thai style is one of great energy and smiles and also great fighting spirit.”

Kiraly started Larson-Burbach and Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Paolini at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth was the libero for the match. Jackson, Lichtman and Fawcett all started the final four sets, while Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) was a sub in all five sets. Hagglund was a serving sub in the final four sets.

Team USA held an 11-9 advantage in blocks and both teams served three aces.

Thailand managed a 72-69 edge in kills and limited its errors to 18 for the match compared to USA’s 26. Thailand held a .321 hitting efficiency (72-18-168) and a 42.9 kill percent.

“First, congratulations to Thailand,” U.S. captain Hildebrand. “I think they did a remarkable job defensively in extending rallies and that made it difficult for us.

For USA, it was a great team effort and a great win for us.”

Onuma Sittirak led Thailand with a match-high 28 points, while Pleumjit Thinkaow and Wilavan Apinyapong added 14 points each.

Cursty Jackson (4) blocks a Thailand attack with Jordan Larson-Burbach (10) helping to form the blocking wall. (Photo courtesy FIVB)

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Cassidy Lichtman passes with Lauren Paolini in the background. (Photo copyright USAV/Bill Kauffman)

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11/17 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 21 25 DOM 14 16 25 18 Team USA Secures Silver, Defeats Domincan Republic TOKYO, Japan (Nov. 17, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team closed out the FIVB Women’s World Grand Champions Cup by defeating Dominican Republic 25-14, 25-16, 21-25, 25-18 on Nov. 17 in Tokyo and finished with the silver medal.

Kelly Murphy, with 16 points, was named match most valuable player.

Already assured of at least the bronze medal heading into the final match, the U.S. (4-1, 10 points) ended the tournament with four consecutive wins over No. 3 Japan, No. 6 Russia, No. 12 Thailand and No. 8 Dominican Republic. Team USA started the tournament with a tough 26-24, 26-24, 25-20 loss to gold-medalist and No. 1 Brazil (5-0). The U.S. concludes the 2013 season with a 25-6 overall record.

The U.S. used three blocks and three aces in a 13-2 run in the first set to overcome an early 3-0 deficit to win 25-14. The Americans out-blocked Dominican 7-2 in the set. Team USA built an early 5-1 in the second set and reached a 17-9 advantage in cruising to a 25-16 victory. Dominican Republic rallied from a 9-4 deficit in the third set to come back and win 25-21. The U.S. scored 10 of the final 14 points of the fourth set to win 25-18.

“First, congratulations to the Dominican Republic,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “We’ve had many battles. We get to play each other a number of times each year and it’s always difficult. For our team, we have a lot to be proud of. We played against the world’s best in 2013 and got four wins out of five. All 14 of our athletes here made a real contribution to this team effort.”

Kristin Hildebrand (9), Lauren Paolini and Alisha Glass (background) celebrate the Team USA’s victory over Dominican Republic.

Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) led the Americans with 19 points on 13 kills via 25 attacks, four blocks and two aces. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) contributed 16 points with 13 kills on 32 attacks, one block and two aces. Jordan LarsonBurbach (Hooper, Neb.) added 16 points on 12 kills via 38 swings, three blocks and an ace. Cursty Jackson (Los Angeles) tacked on 10 points with five kills, three blocks and two aces. Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) pocketed eight points with seven kills on 19 attacks and a block. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) added four blocks and an ace, Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.) rounded out the scoring with an ace.

Glass was credited with 22 running sets leading to a 37.2 kill percent and .263 hitting efficiency (51-15-137). Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) chipped in seven digs and a team-leading 17 excellent receptions on 25 attempts. Larson-Burbach added 14 excellent receptions on 18 errorless attempts.

Jordan Larson-Burbach serves against Dominican Republic.

Kiraly started Larson-Burbach and Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah) at outside hitter, Jackson and Paolini at middle blocker, Murphy at opposite and Glass at setter.

Banwarth was the libero for the match. Lichtman started the second and third sets and subbed in the other two sets for Hildebrand. Hill was a sub in all four sets.

(Photos courtesy FIVB)

The U.S. held a dominating block advantage 16-8, in addition to an 8-2 ace margin.

As a team, the U.S. converted 63.5 percent of its reception attempts into excellent passes, while Dominican Republic was held to a 40.0 percent.

“Congratulations to the Dominican team,” Hildebrand said. “We’ve had a lot of chances to play them and they are a great team and we always battle back and forth. In the third set, they started to play very well and I’m happy with the way we came back in the fourth and battled to win the match. I’m happy with our result here – 4-1 for USA. We played some great matches and great teams and we look forward to an even stronger 2014”.

Gina Mambru led Dominican Republic with 17 points, while Elizabeth Martinez came off the bench to score 10 points.

Team USA celebrates its win over Dominican Republic.

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Lauren Paolini saved her best performance for the last match of the season versus Dominican Republic. (Photo courtesy FIVB)

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GOLD: Brazil; SILVER: United States BRONZE: Japan; 4th: Russia 5th: Thailand; 6th: Dominican Republic Team USA Recap at FIVB World Grand Champions Cup The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team captured the silver medal at the FIVB World Grand Champion Cup by posting a 4-1 record in the round-robin event held Nov. 12-17 in Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan.

Team USA lost its only match of the tournament to top-ranked and eventual winner Brazil in a closely contested 26-24, 26-24, 25-20 match to open the event. The Americans rebounded with wins over bronze medalist and No. 3 Japan, No. 6 Russia, No. 12 Thailand and No. 8 Dominican Republic. Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) was the tournament’s second leading scorer with 91 points to with a 36.9 kill percent for 10th in Best Spiker and seventh in Best Receiver with a 41.8 efficiency. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) ranked 10th in scoring with 57 points, eighth in spiking with a 37.9 kill percent and 10th in serving with 0.19 aces per set.

Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) ranked second in setting with 8.43 running sets average, in addition to being eighth in blocking with 0.57 blocks per set. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) and Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.), who were used predominately as serving specialists late in sets, ranked seventh and ninth in serving with averages of 0.24 and 0.19 aces per set, respectively. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) finished the tournament ranked second in digging with 3.19 digs per set.

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(Above) Team USA presented $125,000 check for earning the silver medal at FIVB Grand Champions Cup. (Left) Cassidy Lichtman receives her medal. (Bottom) Team USA poses during the awarding ceremony. (Photos courtesy FIVB)

Team USA with silver medals around their necks following the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. (Photo courtesy FIVB)

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Junior Volleyball national championship ... paced her Mount Notre Dame High School squad to the 2006 Ohio Division I State Championship in volleyball and basketball ... led Mount Notre Dame in kills (452) and blocks (129) in 2007 and headlined the squad with 311 kills and 104 blocks in 2006 ... appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” feature in the magazine’s Nov. 26, 2007 issue.

Rachael Adams

Middle Blocker * 6-2 Cincinnati, Ohio College: Texas Joined Team: May 2013 Last Club: KS Palac Bydgoszcz

PERSONAL: Born Rachael Alexis Adams on June 3, 1990, in Cincinnati, Ohio…

Parents are Robin Mealy-Adams and Richard Adams…Father was drafted in the fourth round of the 1978 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs after a four-year career at University of Illinois (1974-78).

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold)...USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Made senior level international debut at Pan American Cup, starting all five matches and helping U.S. to the gold medal…

Scored 37 points with 2.18 scoring average in 17 sets played…Averaged 0.94 blocks in Pan Am Cup and placed third in Best Blocker…Played in four sets with two match starts in the USA Volleyball Cup with Japan…Scored 10 points with 2.50 scoring average in USA Volleyball Cup…Started two matches of FIVB World Grand Prix, compiling 14 points in five sets played…Contributed seven kills on nine attacks, one block and one ace for nine points versus Algeria on Aug. 9.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Helped the USA A2 White Team win bronze at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships Women’s Open Division. 2010 – Led USA A2 Blue Team to the gold medal at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships. 2007 – Member of U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team that participated in FIVB Volleyball Girls’ Youth World Championship. 2006 – Member of U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team that won the NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Named AVCA All-America First Team after holding a .388 hitting efficiency to rank 13th in the NCAA Division I. 2010 – Selected AVCA All-America First-Team while ranking No. 1 in NCAA for hitting efficiency (.443)…Ranked sixth in Big 12 in blocks with 1.18 per set. 2009 – Led Texas with .486 hitting efficiency and ranked second with 1.09 blocks per set en route to being named All-Big 12. 2008 – Appeared in 25 matches.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: A 2007 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 recruit ... ranked No. 3 recruit nationally by PrepVolleyball.com ... 2007 PrepVolleyball.com and AVCA All-American ... Ohio High School Volleyball coaches Association Division 1 AllOhio First Team selection in 2007 and Third Team selection in 2006 ... 2007 District 16 Volleyball Coaches Association First Team, all-city, all-conference and All-Southwest Ohio honoree ... led her club squad, Team Z to the 2007 17-Open

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Kayla Banwarth

Libero * 5-10 Dubuque, Iowa College: Nebraska Joined Team: January 2011 Club: Rabita Baku (Azerbaijan) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold)...USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...

FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Named USA Volleyball Indoor Female Most Improved Player of the Year...Tallied a team-leading 2.25 dig average in 2013 while serving as libero in 20 of 31 matches…Named Best Receiver of Pan American Cup after producing a 67 positive reception percent in five matches helping the U.S. win second straight event title…Totaled 32 digs in 17 sets…

Started opening match of USA Volleyball Cup series versus Japan, totaling 14 digs and three assists in a four-set win…Started five matches at libero during FIVB World Grand Prix, averaging 1.62 digs per set, including 21 total in the final two matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round…Recorded 11 excellent receptions on 24 chances versus Serbia on Aug. 11…Served as libero leading Team USA to gold medal at NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship…

Averaged 3.00 digs per set during NORCECA Championship, along with a 79 positive reception percent…Ranked atop the Best Receivers list at NORCECA Championship with a 89.6 efficiency percent on 67 attempts, and was second overall in Best Libero…Finished the FIVB Grand Champions Cup as the event’s second-leading digger with a 3.19 digs per set average…Provided 18 digs in four-set win over Japan, while tallying 11 digs and six assists against Russia in the Grand Champions Cup. 2012 – Starting U.S. libero in all seven matches of the Pan American Cup in which the U.S. captured the gold medal…Averaged 3.14 digs per set during the Pan American Cup, including a tournament-best 24 digs versus Brazil in the gold-medal match. 2011 – Played in 12 sets during the Pan American Games helping the U.S. to the bronze medal.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Named an alternate for the 2007 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team...Played club volleyball for the Six Pack Volleyball Club and Coach Jay Grassley, helping the program to an appearance at the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in 2007...Banwarth was one of the nation’s top high school seniors playing for coaches Julie Kieffer and Tom Keating at Wahlert Catholic High School • Totaled 1,155 kills, 1,093 digs and 364 aces during her four-year career, as Wahlert Catholic won three Iowa Class 3A state titles (2003-05)...Finished her career holding school marks for career digs and aces...Tabbed a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection and ranked the No. 62 player nationally by Prepvolleyball.com and garnered all-American by the publication as a senior...Chosen as the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006 after averaging 4.00 kills, 3.70 digs and 1.43 aces per game...Was a three-time Iowa Elite Team selection (all-state, all classes) in each of her final three seasons and chosen the Iowa Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 3.50 kills and 3.80 digs per set...Named the Class 3A Player of the Year for three consecutive years (2004-06).

PERSONAL: Born Kayla Grace Banwarth on Jan. 21, 1989, in Dubuque, Iowa…

Parents are Thomas Banwarth and Anne Banwarth…Mother played volleyball at University of Northern Iowa…Older brother is Eric Banwarth, who played baseball at University of Iowa in 2007…Hobbies are reading, Broadways, the beach and sun…Favorite foods are mac and cheese with hot dogs, cheesy potatoes, cookie dough, Carlos O’Kelly’s…Favorite book is Harry Potter…

Favorite musical category is anything but heavy metal…Favorite musical groups are Mumford and Sons, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band and Taylor Swift…Favorite television shows are Big Bang Theory, Duck Dynasty and Glee…Favorite movie is anything animated…Favorite actor is Robert Downey, Jr…Favorite professional team is Chicago Cubs…Favorite athlete is Phil Dalhausser…Happiest moment in life is “I’ve had so many happy moments it’s hard to pick just one.”…Interesting story is “I was in show choir, a capella choir and musicals in high school.”…Graduated from Dubuque Wahlert High School in 2007.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 – Named All-Big 12 honorable mention and served as Nebraska’s team co-captain…Finished four-year career with 1,706 digs…

Averaged 4.89 digs per set as a senior, reaching double-digit digs in all but two matches. 2009 - Proved to be one of the Big 12’s best liberos, earning honorable-mention all-conference honors…Ranked second in the Big 12 with 4.96 digs per set…Finished the year ranked second on Nebraska’s singleseason list with 570 digs…Recorded 20 or more digs on 13 occasions, including four matches with 25 or more digs. 2008 - Put together one of the best seasons by a libero in school history, helping the Huskers to 31 wins and a berth in the NCAA semifinals…Averaged 4.12 digs and 0.84 assists as she appeared in 33 matches • Ranked third in the Big 12 in digs per set and helped the Huskers hold foes to a league-best .149 hitting percentage…Ranked third on NU’s singleseason list with 470 digs becoming just the third player in history to average more than four digs per set…Reached double figures in digs 29 times, including five matches with at least 20 digs. 2007 - Became a major contributor as a true freshman, winning the starting job at libero during the second half of the year…

Appeared in 22 matches, averaging 2.75 digs.

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Butter Cup…Favorite snack is popcorn…Favorite drink is Dr Pepper…Favorite type of food is Mexican…Favorite movie is Gladiator…Favorite actor is Denzel Washington…Favorite actress is Jennifer Aniston…Favorite TV comedy is That 70s Show…Favorite cartoon character is Spiderman…Favorite singer is Britney Spears…Favorite book is Harry Potter series.

Alaina Bergsma

Opposite * 6-3 Chandler, Arizona College: Oregon Joined Team: May 2013 Last Club: Guaynabo Mets

Copyright USA Volleyball

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: None INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - AVCA National Player of the Year and Pac-12 Player of the Year…Selected AVCA First-Team All-American and Capital One Third-Team Academic All-American…Ranked fifth nationally and first in Pac12 in kills (4.85 per set) and points (5.35 per set). 2011 - AVCA Third-Team All-American…Ranked 12th and 14th nationally in kills and points (4.51 / 5.12 per set). 2010 - All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention. 2009 – Named All-West Coast Conference Team and WCC Freshman of the Year at Loyola Marymount before transferring to Oregon…Ended the season ranked ninth nationally in points (5.24 per set), 14th overall (and second among freshman) in kills (4.47 per set) and 45th in service aces (0.40).

CLUB/PREP CAREER: A 2007 Arizona High School All-American and member of the Arizona Juniors Volleyball Club team…Earned All-League, All-Metro Region and All-State Tournament team honors as a sophomore, junior and senior…

Team advanced to the state tournament quarterfinals in 2005 and semifinals her junior and senior campaigns. Four-year volleyball letterman, she also lettered one season in both track (in high jump and hurdles) and in basketball.

PERSONAL: Born Alaina Bergsma on March 30, 1990…Parents are David and Shawna…Brothers are Mathew and Benjamin…Engaged to Kevin Coble, former All-Big Ten basketball player at Northwestern University...Nicknames are Bergs and Laina…Personal hero is Jenna VanWeelden…Most prized possession is her Bible…Wanted to be a doctor when growing up…Favorite place visited was Lake Shafer, Indiana…Favorite place would like to travel to is England or Italy…Favorite food is steak or ribs…Favorite ice cream is Ben & Jerry’s Peanut

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Nicole Davis

Libero * 5-4 Stockton, California College: Southern California Joined Team: January 2004 Club: Dinamo Romprest (Romania) 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: Earned a second Olympic Games silver medal..Started all eight matches at libero, compiling a 3.63 dig average based on unofficial DataVolley Stats…Charted 15 digs versus China on Aug. 1 and versus Brazil in title match...Ranked second in Best Libero at the Olympics with an 8.30 average of digs and receptions…Ranked sixth in Best Digger at the Olympics, fifth in Best Receiver (74.27 efficiency percent).

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – USA Volleyball Cup. 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)...Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...

NORCECA Championship (Gold)...FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver Medal)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold Medal). 2009 – Tour of Egypt…Pan American Cup (Fourth)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Ninth)…

Final Four Intercontinental Cup (Silver)…NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth). 2008 – Tour of China…U.S. Olympic Team Exhibition for Volleyball versus Brazil…FIVB World Grand Prix (Fourth Place)…Olympic Games (Silver Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Grand Prix (Eighth Place)…NORCECA Championship (Silver Medal)…FIVB World Cup (Bronze Medal). 2006 – World Grand Prix (Seventh Place)…World Championships (Ninth Place). 2005 – Front Range Tour vs. Brazil…Pan American Cup…World Grand Prix…FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)…NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)…World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Started the July 12 match of USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan, tallying 17 digs and one ace in a four-set win. 2012 – Started the first 12 matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix helping the U.S. claim a third straight gold…Averaged 3.07 digs per set and finished sixth in Best Digger in Final Round despite missing the final two matches…Earned a second Olympic Games silver medal after starting all eight matches at libero, compiling a 3.63 dig average based on unofficial DataVolley Stats…Ranked second in Best Libero at the Olympics with an 8.30 average of digs and receptions…Ranked sixth in Best Digger at the Olympics, fifth in Best Receiver (74.27 efficiency percent)…

Ended 2012 with a 3.36 dig average while starting 23 matches and playing in 81 sets. 2011 – Started all five matches at the Montreux Volley Masters compiling an unofficial 4.45 digs per set average, including 24 in a four-set match to China on June 12…Also provided 25 digs in a five-set win over Germany on June 9 and 21 digs versus Peru in a four-set win on June 7…Handled libero duties in all 27 sets for U.S. at Pan American Cup, averaging 2.41 digs per set…Passing helped the squad to a .325 hitting efficiency for the tournament…Tallied double-digit digs in three of the eight matches, including 11 in three-set win over Argentina…

Averaged 2.84 digs per set at the FIVB World Grand Prix with 13 of 14 match starts in helping Americans win second consecutive title…Ranked fifth in Best Digger and third in Best Libero at FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round…Tallied six double-digit dig matches, including 18 versus Italy on Aug. 25 in a five-set victory, followed by 15 digs against Brazil on Aug. 26 in four-set pool-play loss…

Averaged 2.40 digs per set with a 76.4 positive reception percent on 55 attempts during the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship…Recorded an 83 excellent reception percent on 12 chances in NORCECA semifinal victory over Cuba, followed by a 71 excellent reception percent on 14 chances in the goldmedal medal match against Dominican Republic…Averaged 3.03 digs per set in 10 of 11 starts during the FIVB World Cup, which helped the U.S. to the silver medal and 2012 Olympic Games qualification...Totaled 16 digs versus Brazil in World Cup opener in four-set win, while tallying 18 digs in four-set win over Italy to clinch Olympic berth…Ranked sixth in World Cup Best Digger. 2010 – Named Best Libero at Montreux Volley Masters with 158 excellent passes on 250 attempts…Averaged tournament-leading 5.50 digs per set based on official stats, nearly 2.0 digs per set more than second-place finisher…Tallied a 52.34 passing efficiency on 107 attempts for fifth-best at Montreux Volley Masters…

Recorded 20 digs versus China in the four-set gold-medal match on June 13, while producing 16 digs in a three-set victory over Cuba on June 12 in the Montreux semifinals…Played in 14 sets during the FIVB World Grand Prix with three starts at libero…Averaged 3.50 digs per set at the FIVB World Grand Prix,

including 17 in a four-set victory over Dominican Republic on Aug. 6. 2009 – Entered 86 sets during 2009 with a 2.66 dig average, the highest on the team…

Libero for U.S. Women’s National Team two-match tour of Egypt resulting in two victories…Averaged 4.86 digs per set in two-match series against Egypt…

Played in 21 sets of the Pan American Cup, averaging a tournament-best 3.90 digs per set to earn Best Digger…Held a 54.18 libero efficiency rating at the Pan American Cup for third best among liberos…Starting USA libero for Pool A of the FIVB World Grand Prix…Played total of 31 matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix…Averaged 5.00 digs per set in three match starts of the World Grand Prix, including 18 digs in three-set loss to Germany on July 31…Split time as USA libero during the Final Four Intercontinental Cup…Averaged 3.21 digs per set during Final Four Cup…Entered three sets as a back-row sub during the NORCECA Continental Championship. 2008 – Served as libero for eight-match tour of China…Tallied 112 digs and handled 213 serve receive chances with 54 percent positive receptions leading to a 5-3 record with a young team competing…Served as libero in June 11 match versus Brazil and subbed into contest on June 13 and June 14 as part of three-match series…

Served as libero for the entire FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round in which USA won seven of nine matches and was a defensive specialist in the Final Round…Ranked fourth in the preliminary round in Best Digger with 2.33 digs per set, including four matches with at least double-digit digs…Served as USA libero at the Olympic Games, which resulted in a silver medal and the country’s first medal in women’s volleyball since 1992…Averaged 2.88 digs per set, sixth-best among all players in the Olympic Games…Tallied a 52 percent in excellent service receptions, which along with her dig average, helped the U.S. to a .302 team hitting efficiency. 2007 – Averaged 2.53 digs per set as the U.S. libero for all three preliminary rounds during the World Grand Prix…Turned in a team-high 21 digs versus China in three games on Aug. 4…Paced USA to silver medal at the NORCECA Championship…Averaged 3.00 digs per set for third best at the NORCECA Championship…Tallied 54 excellent service receptions on 84 attempts with only one error at the NORCECA Championship…Averaged 2.66 digs per set, fourth best at the FIVB World Cup…Tallied 19 digs in four set win over Poland on Nov. 4. 2006 – Played in four matches during seven-match tour of Italy March 22 to April…Played in two sets versus Poland on May 26…

Libero for the final two weekends of the World Grand Prix…Ranked sixth in the Best Libero category in the World Grand Prix despite not playing the position the first three matches…Ranked 10th in World Grand Prix in digs with 1.30 per set…Turned in 15 digs in 31 sets as a back-row specialist during the World Championships, handling 46 service receptions with a 41 positive percentage.

2005 – Earnedsilver medal at the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in Japan in November…The U.S. finished the tournament with a record of 4-1 as it earned wins over Korea, 2004 Olympic gold medalist China, Poland and Japan along the way…Earned a gold medal as Team USA won its third-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a five-set victory over Cuba on Sept.

11…Earned gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the U.S. Women qualified for the 2006 World Championship.

PERSONAL: Born Nicole Marie Davis on April 24, 1982 in Stockton, Calif….

Parents are Randy and Barbara Davis…She also has a brother named Christopher…Her happiest moment(s) in sports were winning back-to-back NCAA Division I volleyball championships with USC in 2002 and 2003…

Graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in 2006…Owns a black belt in karate…Favorite professional team is the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball…Favorite food is anything sweet…Enjoys watching football in her spare time…“My mom is my role model. She came from very little and had a very successful career. She is a strong, independent woman, and a wonderful friend and mother.”…Started club volleyball in 1996 with Club Nike Pacific in Stockton, Calif…Graduated from Lincoln High School (Stockton, Calif.) in 2000.

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Courtesy FIVB

INTERESTING NOTE: “I spent most of my youth volleyball career as an outside hitter. As I grew older (and not any taller), my coaches urged me to move into the libero position because I was “too short to be an outside hitter at a Division I university”. So, I made the switch to libero at age 16, and played two club seasons at that position. Shortly after making this switch I committed, as a libero, to Kansas State University. During my first season at Kansas State University, I played defensive specialist, and actually ended up seeing some time in the front row as an outside hitter. Then, in the spring of my sophomore year (2010), my coaches at Kansas State decided that I possessed the qualities and athleticism that could potentially make me a good setter. I ended up setting for the Wildcats in 2010, and stayed in that position until my career there was over.

I currently have only been setting now for about four years. I always encourage young volleyball players to get good at all of the skills in volleyball. Being a wellrounded volleyball player can provide you with more opportunities on the court.”

Caitlyn Donahue

Setter * 5-9 Kansas City, Kan. College: Kansas State Joined Team: May 2013 Last Club: Guaynabo Mets MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: N/A INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: N/A COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Named AVCA All-Central Region honorable mention and All-Big 12 First Team… Ended career with 3,618 assists to rank fifth overall at Kansas State, along with 1,107 digs to rank ninth to become the only player in school history to rank in top 10 in both assists and digs…

Ranked second in Big 12 in assists per set during league play. 2011 – Named Academic All-Big 12 First-Team…Tallied 16 double-doubles for sixth best in school history for single season. 2010 – Academic All-Big 12 First-Team…Made transition from defensive specialist to setter, directing offense to 11.98 kills per set. 2009 – Played in all 113 sets as a freshman, averaging 2.39 digs per with three matches of 20-or-more digs.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played for Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kan., from 2005-2008…Helped lead her team to the state championship as a freshman…Named Under Armour All-American in 2008…Selected Kansas Volleyball Coaches Association 6A Player of the Year in 2006, 2007 and 2008…

Named Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year in 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Caitlyn Donahue on Nov. 19, 1990, in Overland Park, Kan… Daughter of David and Kathy Donahue…Older brother is Collin Donahue…

Hobbies are reading, spending time with family and friends, traveling…Favorite food is Mexican (Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant in hometown is favorite)…

Favorite book is The Great Gatsby…Favorite music is country and oldies (1960s)…Favorite musical performers are Garth Brooks and Eric Church…

Favorite movies are My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Dark Knight…Favorite television shows are Scandal, Seinfeld, Homeland and Friends…Favorite actress and actor are Julia Roberts and Bradley Cooper…Favorite professional team is Kansas City Chiefs…Favorite athlete is Tiger Woods…Most admired person is her father “for always being a great role model and my number-one fan…he is the one who introduced me to the game of volleyball.”…Happiest moment in life was “advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2011” with Kansas State.

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Mexico…Second highest scorer for Team USA at 2006 NORCECA Continental Championship.

Juliann Faucette

Opposite * 6-2 San Diego, California College: Texas Joined Team: January 2008 Club: Guangdong Evergrande (China) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round. 2008 – Tour of China...Pan American Cup (Fifth Place). 2006 – TV Azteca Cup.

PERSONAL: Born Juliann Christine Faucette on Nov. 25, 1989, in San Diego, Calif…Parents are Chuck Faucette and Carolyn Ryba with sisters Jenna (1987), Tomilyn (1995), Javoni (1995) and Jade (1997)…Father played for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League in 1989…Hobbies include singing, dancing and acting…Favorite food is sushi and favorite book is The Shack…

Enjoys listening to R&B, particularly Alisha Keys…Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan…Was a gymnast for eight years before becoming a cheerleader and dancer in her teens…Most admired people are her mom and dad because “they both have influenced me in different ways and are very strong, successful people.”

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Played in three sets versus Japan on July 10 in opening match of USA Volleyball Cup in hometown of San Diego…Scored four kills on 12 errorless attacks in the match…Played in eight sets during second weekend of FIVB World Grand Prix, registering eight kills on 23 attacks and four digs. 2008 – Credited with 53 points during a three-week, eight-match tour of China…Converted 41 percent attacks into kills in China…Tallied 49 kills during the event…Played in five sets during the Pan American Cup with two kills. 2006 – Tallied 22 points during the TV Azteca Cup with one match start against Mexico on Sept. 29…Played in 14 sets at the TV Azteca Cup with five set starts…Started match versus Mexico on Sept. 29 at the TV Azteca Cup and tallied six points on five kills and a block…Recorded eight points versus Peru on Sept. 28…Came off the bench in two sets versus Cuba on Sept. 27 to compile two blocks and two kills.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 – Name AVCA All-America First Team, Big 12 Player of the Year and NCAA All-Tournament Team as Texas reached NCAA semifinals…

Selected as finalist for Honda Award…Led Longhorns with 536.5 points (4.55 per set) and 465 kills (3.94 per set). 2009 – AVCA All-America Third Team selection and All-Big 12…Totaled 3.17 kills and 3.64 points per set. 2008 – AVCA All-America honorable mention after ranking second on team with 2.94 kills per set. 2007 – Selected as American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Freshman of the Year and AVCA All-America First-Team…Selected AllBig 12 First Team and Big 12 Freshman of the Year…Started 30 of Texas’ 31 matches and appeared in 99 total games…Ranked first on the team in total kills (445) and second in kills per game (4.49)…Tallied double-figure kill totals in 25 of her 30 matches.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Selected most valuable player of Women’s Open Division of 2010 USA Volleyball Open National Championships while participating with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball A2 Program…

Trained with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team during the spring of 2008 in an attempt to make the 2008 Olympic Games roster…Member of U.S. Women’s Junior National Team in 2006…Helped Team USA to the gold medal at the 2006 NORCECA Continental Women’s Junior Championship in

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Nicole Fawcett

Opposite * 6-4 Zanesfield, Ohio College: Penn State Joined Team: June 2009 Club: Korea Expressway (Korea) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold-MVP)...

USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold).

2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)…Pan American Cup (Bronze). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold). 2009 – FIVB World Grand Prix (9th)…Final Four Intercontinental Cup (Silver)…NORCECA Championship (4th).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Finished season with a 3.45 scoring average while playing in 69 sets…Named most valuable player and best server at Pan American Cup, leading the U.S. to its second consecutive event title…Scored 71 points for a 4.73 points per set average, including 48 kills (3.20 kps), 16 aces (1.07 saps) and seven blocks (0.44 bps)…Scored 31 points versus Puerto Rico on June 11, in addition to 15 points in sweep of Dominican Republic in title match…Started all three matches of the USA Volleyball Cup series versus Japan and played in 11 of 13 sets tallying a team-high 52 points (4.73 per set)…Scored 19 points versus Japan on July 10 in four-set win, followed by 24 points in Cup finale on July 13…Notched seven aces and six blocks versus Japan in Cup with a 43.8 kill percent…Played in 30 sets of FIVB World Grand Prix with two starts in averaging 2.60 points per set…Averaged 0.63 blocks during FIVB World Grand Prix…Led team in scoring in two of FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round matches as a reserve, including 23 points in win against Japan on Sept. 1…Played in four sets as a reserve during the NORCECA Championship and scored 10 kills on 15 errorless attempts to help the U.S. win the tournament…Averaged 2.75 points with a .667 hitting efficiency in the NORCECA Championship…Played in nine sets during FIVB Grand Champions Cup, but played pivotal role in sparking U.S. to wins over Russia (15 points) and Thailand (11 points, 11 digs) coming off the bench…Averaged 2.89 points and 2.22 digs per set as a reserve in Grand Champions Cup. 2012 – Played in 20 sets with one match start at the Pan American Cup in which the U.S. captured the gold medal…Averaged 1.90 points at the Pan American Cup with a 45.2 kill percent. Tallied 15 points off the bench versus Cuba at the Pan Am Cup, along with nine points in a reserve role versus Brazil in the gold-medal victory.

2011 – Averaged 3.00 points in 12 sets during the Montreux Volley Masters…

Scored 15 points versus Germany on June 9 in three sets…Tallied 14 kills on 31 attacks against China on June 12…Averaged 1.58 digs per set at Montreux…

Totaled 66 points and 3.14 scoring average after starting six of eight matches at Pan American Cup…Tallied 10 kills and five blocks versus Brazil on July 5, in addition to eight kills, four blocks and an ace versus Puerto Rico on July 2…

Averaged 0.86 blocks during Pan Am Cup. 2010 – Played in 13 sets with one match start at the Montreux Volley Masters event in which the U.S. won the silver medal…Scored 10 points mainly as a double-substitution at the Montreux event which limited her court time…Started one match during FIVB World Grand Prix, tallying a kill versus Dominican Republic on Aug. 6. 2009 – Played 74 sets in first year with 2.12 scoring average and .242 hitting efficiency…Played in 33 of 36 sets of the FIVB World Grand Prix with three match starts…Averaged 2.55 points per set during World Grand Prix, including averages of 2.06 kills and 0.42 blocks…First three matches as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team were starts with at least 11 points scored…Tallied double-double of 27 points and 11 digs versus Puerto Rico on Aug. 1, which ranked as the top U.S. scoring performance during the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix…Scored 14 points against Netherlands…Averaged 2.13 points per set during Final Four Intercontinental Cup despite primarily used as a reserve…Scored seven points and provided 12 digs in only start of Final Four Cup against Dominican Republic on Sept.

11…Tallied 10 points (8 kills, 1 ace, 1 block) in three sets versus Peru on Sept.

10...Recorded 11 kills versus Brazil in Final Four gold-medal match on Sept.

13…Tallied 15 points and 13 digs in four-set victory over Canada at NORCECA Championship quarterfinal on Sept. 25…Converted five of 10 attacks into kills without an error against Cuba on Sept. 27.

0) and its second straight NCAA title and sixth consecutive Big Ten crown…

Averaged 3.78 kills per set on .358 hitting for the year, with her kills per game average ranking second on the team…Led Penn State with 40 service aces and also added in 219 total blocks for the year. 2007 – Selected to AVCA All-America First-Team and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team after guiding Penn State to the NCAA Division I Tournament championship...Unanimous selection to All-Big Ten First-Team...During NCAA Tournament (20 sets), averaged 4.20 kills per game on .387 hitting with 12 service aces, 22 digs and 26 blocks ...Held season average of 4.44 kills per set (533 total kills) and finished with a hitting percentage of .313, good for 10th in the Big Ten. 2006 – Selected AVCA All-America First-Team and unanimous All-Big Ten First-Team…Selected as Academic All-Big Ten...Played in all 35 matches of the year and 113 of 114 sets...Averaged 4.27 kills per set (483 total kills), good for second on the team and eighth in the Big Ten. 2005 – Selected as AVCA NCAA Division I National Freshman of the Year and AVCA All-America Second-Team All-America…

Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-Big Ten First-Team…Started all 34 matches in freshman season and set an NCAA Tournament record for hitting percentage by attacking at a career-high .889 clip (16-0-18) against Long Island (12/3) in the second round.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: 2005 – Member of U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that competed at the FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship.

2004 – Member of U.S. Junior Women’s National Team that won gold medal at NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship. 2003 – Member of U.S. Girls’ Youth Team which participated in the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship in Poland.

PERSONAL: Born Nicole Marie Fawcett on Dec. 16, 1986, in San Antonio, Texas...

Nickname is Nic…Parents are Bob and Kim Fawcett… Mother Kim played volleyball for Wright State…Brother is Joe Fawcett... Maternal grandfather was a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in 1945...Majored in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University...Nicknames are Nic, Nicholas, Nix, White Lightening, Puppy, Dairy Queen, Babe, Niccy, Little Niccy, Nicole F, Nasty Nickle…Hobby is trying to help Christa Harmotto with her fashion sense…

Favorite musical group is Coldplay…Favorite television show is Scandal…

Favorite musician and song are Lauren Paolini and Acoustics…Favorite movie is Little Women…Interesting fact about myself is “I own a 1968 red convertible GTO.”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 – Named AVCA Division I National Player of the Year, third consecutive AVCA All-America First-Team honor and fourth overall AVCA All-American award…Selected as Honda Award winner for overall best NCAA Division I volleyball player… Led Penn State to an undefeated record (38-

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Lauren Gibbemeyer

Middle Blocker * 6-2 St. Paul, Minnesota College: Minnesota Joined Team: January 2011 Club: Lokomotiv Baku (Azerbaijan) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold)...USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...

FIVB Grand Champions Cuop (Silver). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Averaged 2.48 points per set while starting 29 matches and playing in 95 sets during 2013...Helped the U.S. win its second consecutive Pan American Cup gold medal while starting all five matches…

Averaged 3.13 points per set in Pan Am Cup, including 35 kills on 63 attacks as part of .492 hitting efficiency…Scored 15 points in win over Puerto Rico on June 11, including 11 kills on 21 errorless attacks…Added 11 points in title match win over Dominican Republic on June 16…Played in two matches and six sets of the three-match USA Volleyball Cup series versus Japan…Averaged 3.17 points, including 1.33 blocks per set during USA Volleyball Cup…Scored 15 points versus Japan on July 10, including six blocks…Started all 14 matches of FIVB World Grand Prix, averaging 2.35 points, 0.52 blocks and 1.67 kills per set while converting 45.7 percent of attacks into points with a .349 hitting efficiency…Scored team-high 13 points in sweep of Netherlands on Aug. 10…

Tallied 13 points with 10 kills on 13 errorless swings in four sets versus Serbia on Aug. 29…Scored 11 points versus Russia with nine kills without an attack error and two blocks…Averaged 2.08 points with 1.58 kills and 0.42 blocks per set in helping Team USA to the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship gold medal…Converted 41.3 percent of attacks into points at NORCECA Championship…Averaged 2.29 points with .407 hitting efficiency (29-5-59) in starting four of five matches at FIVB Grand Champions Cup leading to a U.S. silver medal…Scored 10 kills versus No. 6 Russia on Nov. 15. 2012 – Started all seven matches of the Pan American Cup, helping the U.S. claim gold with averages of 3.38 points, 1.08 blocks, 2.00 kills and 0.29 aces per set…Scored 20 points versus Colombia with 11 kills on 16 errorless attacks to go with seven blocks and two aces. 2011 - Started all five sets at Pan American Games and helping U.S. to the bronze medal by averaging 3.53 points per set with a 1.41 block average…Totaled 17 points in bronze-medal match against Dominican Republic, including six blocks with a .421 hitting efficiency.

hitting percentage in school history at .385...Was one of two players in the Big Ten to rank in the top 10 in hitting percentage, kills, blocks and points...

Played in all 37 matches, and has played in all of the 102 matches the team has played during her career...Helped Minnesota reach the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship semifinals. 2008 - Selected AVCA All-America Third-Team as she became the fourth Golden Gopher middle blocker to claim All-America honors...Finished the season with team-leading 174 blocks, which was second on the school’s single-season record list and ranked fourth in the Big Ten in blocks (1.45 blps), seventh in points (4.20 pps) and 10th in hitting percentage (.316)...Played in all 34 matches and was one of three players on the team to be in all 125 sets...Ranked first on the team in kills (405), second in kills per set (3.24 average), first in hitting percentage (.316) and fourth in service aces (17)...Produced 23 double-figure kills matches and three matches where she tallied nine or more blocks. 2007 - Played in all 31 matches as a freshman and was one of only two players on the team to compete in all 112 sets on the season...Averaged 2.85 kills, 1.09 blocks and 1.02 digs per set...Led team in service aces, was second in blocks, hitting percentage and third in kills...Was the second Golden Gopher since 1985 to have over 300 kills and 100 blocks as a freshman...Produced 17 double-figure kills matches and two double-figure block matches on the year.

PERSONAL - Born on Sept. 8, 1988...Parents are Dan and Marie Gibbemeyer...

Siblings are Danielle and Hannah…Majored in kinesiology at University of Minnesota…Nicknames are Gibby, Gibblet, Gibbs, etc…Hobbies are online shopping, reading, journaling, going to the beach…Top music on playlist now is James Vincent McMorrow and all-time is Mumford and Sons…Favorite movie is Bridesmaids…Favorite athlete is Kobe Bryant…Favorite book is Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah…Favorite television program is New Girl and Modern Family…

Started playing volleyball as freshman in high school…Interesting fact about myself is “growing up I wanted to be a veterinarian.”

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Competed for the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team at the 2007 FIVB World Championship in Thailand where the team finished fourth...Member of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that won the gold medal at the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 - Ended her college career at University of Minnesota by setting a school-record 593 total blocks and was also ninth on the school’s all-time list in kills at 1,421...Named First-Team All-Big Ten as a unanimous selection...Played in 84 of the team’s 129 sets on the season as she missed 12 matches due to an injury...Led the team in hitting percentage with .375 (276-58-582) and finished with an average of 3.29 kills per set...

Despite the 12 missed matches, ended with a team-high total of 116 blocks (23 solo and 93 assisted) for a team-high average of 1.38 per set...Ranked third in the Big Ten Conference in hitting efficiency and ranked second in blocking with a 1.38 average...Finished with 4.17 pps, which ranked her eighth in the Big Ten. 2009 - Earned AVCA All-America First-Team honors and named First-Team All-Big Ten for the second year in a row...Set school-records in single-season blocks (181) and block assists (161), and had the third-highest single-season

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efficiency and 40.7 kill percent during the World Grand Prix, including a .274 efficiency and 39.1 kill percent during the Final Round…Averaged 0.83 points, 2.94 digs and 11.54 assists while hitting .447 (19-2-38) during World Grand Prix according to unofficial DataVolley Stats…Started three of four matches on Brazil Tour…Finished the FIVB World Championship with 8.43 running sets average, third-best for the tournament after leading the category heading into the final match…Started 10 of 11 matches at the World Championship with a 7-3 record in those starts…Averaged 0.68 points per set and 3.12 digs per set at World Championship…Set USA to a .402 hitting efficiency against Thailand on Oct. 29 and a .392 mark versus Czech Republic on Nov. 6.

Alisha Glass

Setter * 6-0 Leland, Michigan College: Penn State Joined Team: May 2010 Club: Fenerbahce Istanbul (Turkey) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold)…

USA Volleyball Cup…FIVB World Grand Prix (6th Place-Best Setter)…NORCECA Championship (Gold-Best Setter)...FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver). 2012 – FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)…Pan American Cup (Bronze)…FIVB World Grand Prix (GoldBest Setter)…NORCECA Championship (Gold)…FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – Tour of China…Pan American Cup (Bronze)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…

Brazil Tour…FIVB World Championship (Fourth).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Named USA Volleyball Indoor Female Athlete of the Year...Started 28 of 31 matches and played in 105 of 118 possible sets leading to a 10.22 assist average…Earned second consecutive Pan American Cup gold medal as she finished second in Best Setter despite not starting the first two matches…Averaged 9.41 running sets per set with 113 total in 12 sets played…Recorded 23 assists and two blocks in title victory over Dominican Republic as team converted 50 percent of attacks…Started two of three matches of the USA Volleyball Cup, registering a 10.50 assist average in eights sets played…Added 16 digs and six points in the USA Volleyball Cup matches…Earned Best Setter for the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round after averaging 8.00 running sets (per unofficial DataVolley, 9.81 assists per set for the entire tournament)…Added 0.48 blocks and 0.83 points per set while starting all 14 matches of the World Grand Prix…Totaled team-high four blocks in win over Bulgaria…Team converted 42.8 percent of attacks into points with Glass serving as the primary server…Averaged 10.25 running sets during NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship in which the U.S. captured the gold medal…Named Best Setter of the NORCECA Championship…Added 2.08 digs and 0.58 blocks per set during the NORCECA Championship…Started all five match of FIVB Grand Champions Cup, leading team to a 37.1 kill percent with a 4-1 record and silver medal…Ranked second in Best Setter at FIVB Grand Champions Cup with 8.43 running sets average, and eighth in blocking with 0.57 average. 2012 – Started six of 14 matches in the FIVB World Grand Prix, including four of the five Final Round matches resulting in wins over Brazil, Turkey, Cuba and China…Averaged 5.25 running sets, 1.29 digs and 0.54 points per set during the World Grand Prix in helping the U.S. go 14-0 and win its third straight and fifth overall World Grand Prix…Started six of seven matches at the Pan American Cup leading the U.S. to the gold medal for the first time since 2003…Averaged 5.96 running sets as Team USA held a .315 hitting efficiency for the tournament…Added averages of 0.61 points and 2.35 digs per set at the Pan Am Cup. 2011 – Started four of five matches at the Montreux Volley Masters, helping the U.S. to a .251 team hitting efficiency…Turned in 27 digs during Montreux Volley Masters for a 1.80 dig average…Played in 25 of 27 sets at Pan American Cup, including seven of eight match starts…Helped team to an overall .325 hitting efficiency for the tournament, including a .525 hitting efficiency versus Cuba in the bronze-medal match…Averaged 1.92 digs per set at the Pan Am Cup…Averaged 3.21 assists per set with 19 sets played and two match starts in helping U.S. win the FIVB World Grand Prix…Helped U.S. hit .493 as a team in starting setter role against Peru on Aug. 21…Played in nine sets and registered nine assists during NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship, helping the squad to the gold medal…Played in 20 sets during the FIVB World Cup with one match start helping Team USA to the silver medal and 2012 Olympic Games qualification…Tallied two blocks and 25 assists in start against Kenya as the team held .322 hitting efficiency. 2010 – Played in seven sets and started two of three matches on USA’s tour of China…Averaged 1.14 points, 1.86 digs and 0.43 blocks in international debut…Scored four kills on six attacks in China…Started all seven match at the Pan American Cup helping USA to the bronze medal…Averaged 8.25 running sets per set, while adding averages of 2.40 digs, 0.45 blocks and 0.45 kills…Converted nine of 14 attacks into kills as part of .571 hitting efficiency…Named Best Setter at FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round after helping the U.S. to the gold medal…Started final 13 matches of tournament, leading to an 11-match win streak…Set USA to a .300 hitting

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2009 – Named AVCA All-America First-Team as she set Penn State to consecutive undefeated seasons and its unprecedented third consecutive NCAA title …Honda Award finalist … Ranked fourth in the nation in assists per set (11.90) guiding the Nittany Lions to a nation-leading .381 attack percentage …Added 112 kills (0.92 per set), 103 blocks (0.84) and 286 digs (2.34)…Ranked fourth all-time in school history for career assists. 2008 – Tabbed AVCA First Team All-America and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team as Penn State won its second consecutive NCAA title with an undefeated record ... AVCA National Player of the Week (Nov. 18) ... Directed the Penn State offense to a record setting and nation-leading .390 hitting percentage.

2007 – Selected AVCA Second Team All-America and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team ... Started 35 of 36 matches and played in 114 of 122 games while directing the Penn State offense to a nation-leading .350 hitting percentage Led the team, ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 24th in the country with an average of 13.02 assists per game with 1,484 total assists. 2006 – Named Big Ten All-Freshmen Team ... Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week (9/11) ... Started all 35 matches and played in 113 of 114 games ... spent most of the season as a 5-1 setter, but also saw time as a 6-2 setter/hitter, attacking primarily on the right side ... Set the team to a Big Ten- and nation-best .323 hitting percentage, the only team in the country to finish the season hitting higher than .300.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Member of the 2005 U.S. Girls’ Youth National A2 Team and played on the USA Red squad that won the gold medal at the High Performance Championships in Austin, Texas, where she also received the “Best Setter” award ... Started on the 2004 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that won the gold medal in Puerto Rico at the NORCECA Games, where she was recognized as “Best Server”.

PERSONAL: Born Copyrighted USA Volleyball Alisha Rebecca Glass on April 5, 1988…

Mother is Laurie Glass, who was also her high school volleyball coach…Grandfather Larry Glass was her high school basketball coach… Majored in kinesiology at Penn State University with a minor in human development and family studies…

Hobbies are baking, watching movies, pinning things on Pinterest…Favorite food is popcorn…

Favorite movies are Antwone Fisher, Love & Basketball, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner…Favorite athletes are Haruka Miyashita and Jordan Larson-Burbach (aka the Gov)…

Favorite trip with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team was 2012 Pan Am Cup…Highlight moment in playing sports is “playing in my USA jersey at an international competition on U.S. soil.”…Favorite actor and actress are “Katherine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier (go see Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, so good!)”…Interesting fact about myself is “I like doing jigsaw puzzles in my spare time.”

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Jenna Hagglund

Setter * 5-10 West Chester, Ohio College: Washington Joined Team: May 2013 Club: Rote Raben Vilsbiburg (GER) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold)...USA Volleyball Cup...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Played in 78 of a possible 118 sets during her first year with the team in 2013…Made senior level international debut at Pan American Cup, starting the first two matches and helping the Americans the event for the second straight year…Turned in 87 assists and two blocks during the Pan Am Cup…Helped U.S. to a 63 kill percent versus Trinidad & Tobago in Pan Am Cup opener…Played in seven sets of USA Volleyball Cup with one match start versus Japan on July 13…Averaged 8.00 assists per set during the Cup, including 47 in the five-set win on July 13 and helping Team USA to 41 kill percent…Played in 34 of 54 sets of FIVB World Grand Prix mainly as a serving sub or part of a double-switch…Recorded 33 assists with a 0.97 average…Credited with five aces in FIVB World Grand Prix…Played in nine sets during NORCECA Championship mainly as serving sub, which led to four aces in helping Team USA to the gold medal…Added 18 running sets and four digs in the NORCECA Championship…Played in 15 of 21 sets during FIVB Grand Champions Cup as a serving specialist, recording one ace against Thailand and three digs versus Japan.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 - Finished outstanding career by playing all 113 sets for the Huskies as the starting setter, leading the Dawgs to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second time in her four years ... Finished with 5,326 career assists, second-most in Washington history and 10th-most in Pac-10 Conference history ... Ranked 11th in the NCAA and third in the Pac-10 with an 11.77 assists per set average ... 12.19 assists per set career average also ranks second in school history. 2009 - Selected AVCA All-America Third Team for the secondstraight season … Averaged 11.30 assists per set for the season, ranking 19th nationally. 2008 - Named AVCA All-America Third Team and Honorable mention All-Pac-10 ... Led the Pac-10 and finished second in the nation in assists per set, averaging 12.17 ... Fourth all-time in career assists at Washington. 2007 - Pac10 All-Freshman Team pick ... honorable Mention All-Pac-10 selection ... played in 105 games and 30 matches ... Ranked second in the Pac-10 and 10th in the nation in assists per game at 13.54, which was also the fifth-best single season mark in UW history.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played club volleyball for Team Z from 2005-06 under the direction of Ron Mahlerwein and Steve Aird ... Played club for Cincy Classics from 2002-05 under Lisa and Ron Mahlerwein and Torn Hogan ... Led team to fifth place finishes at the 2004 and 2005 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in the 15 open and 17 open divisions ... Member of USA Junior National Red team that won the Women’s Junior International Division of the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships and was named Best Setter of the tournament ... A four-year letterwinner at Lakota High School ... Earned Cincinnati Player of the Year and first team all-state awards as a senior.

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PERSONAL: Born Jenna Hagglund on May 28, 1989, in New Brunswick, N.J… Parents are Stu and Susan Hagglund…Younger brother Nick…Majored in business marketing at University of Washington and graduated in 2010…

Nicknames/What Teammates call me are Jen, J-Hagg, Calves…Favorite food is Skyline Chili and Chai Tea Lattes, but separately for sure… Favorite sports team is Cincinnati Bengals…Hobbies are baking, cooking, shopping, reading, watching TV series, photography…Favorite movie A League of Their Own… Favorite book is The DaVinci Code…Favorite musician and songs are Sugarland – Baby Girl, Mumford and Sons, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals…Favorite athletes are Misty May-Treanor and Nick Hagglund…Favorite place to play volleyball is The American Sports Centers, where the team trains in Anaheim…

Favorite volleyball moment was telling my parents I made my first National Team roster…Started playing volleyball at age 10…Interesting note about herself most people do not know is “The first thing my brother and I do when I visit home is play video games…and it tends to be Call of Duty or Resident Evil.”...Another interesting note is “When I am bored or stressed I like to whip something up in the kitchen…and generally pawn it off on my roommates or teammates.”

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Christa Harmotto

Middle Blocker * 6-2 Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania College: Penn State Joined Team: April 2009 Club: Eczacibasi VitrA (Turkey) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)...

NORCECA Championship (Gold). 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)...Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…Pan American Cup (Bronze). 2009 – Tour of Egypt…Pan American Cup (Fourth); FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G (Gold)…FIVB World Grand Prix (9th)…Final Four Intercontinental Cup (Silver)…

NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Started eight of 14 matches during FIVB World Grand Prix in averaging 2.59 points over 34 total sets played…Converted 49.6 percent of attacks into points during FIVB World Grand Prix with a .374 hitting efficiency…Tallied 13 points versus Brazil on Aug. 4 with 11 kills on 17 attacks…Scored 15 points versus Serbia on Aug. 11, followed by 13 points against Bulgaria with nine kills on 18 errorless attacks and four blocks…Started two of four matches at NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship, playing in a total of four sets helping U.S. win the tournament…Averaged 3.00 points in NORCECA Championship, including a 1.75 block average. 2012 – Started 10 matches in the FIVB World Grand Prix, including the first eight matches, compiling averages of 3.23 points, 1.31 blocks and 1.74 kills per set in helping Team USA win its third straight tournament title…Ranked first in Best Blocker through the preliminary phase, but shared time during the Final Round in a three blocker rotation in the starting lineup. Converted 55.5 percent of attacks in the World Grand Prix with a .482 hitting efficiency, including a 13-point performance with eight blocks against Brazil on June 15…Started all eight matches at the Olympic Games helping the U.S. win the silver…Averaged 1.73 points, 1.23 kills and 0.42 blocks during the Olympics while converting 51.6 percent of attacks with a .387 hitting efficiency…Scored 10 points versus Korea in firstever Olympic match with a .625 hitting efficiency…Added 10 points versus Turkey on Aug. 5…Concluded 2012 with 21 match starts and 73 sets played en route to averages of 2.48 points, 0.90 blocks and 1.42 kills per set…Converted 52.5 percent of kills in 2012 with a .424 hitting efficiency. 2011 – Played in 11 sets with three match starts at the Montreux Volley Masters…Tallied 12 points versus Germany on June 9, including eight kills and three blocks. Averaged 0.64 blocks as part of 2.09 points per set at Montreux…Played in six sets during Pan American Cup with one match start…Tallied six kills on nine attempts versus Trinidad & Tobago on July 3, in addition to two blocks for eight points…

Converted 13 of 21 attacks into kills during Pan American Cup with .524 hitting efficiency…Reserve in 13 of 14 FIVB World Grand Prix matches, being active in just one match – a start against Peru on Aug. 21…Scored 10 kills on 13 errorless attacks versus Peru with an ace for 12 points. 2010 – Averaged 2.61 points per set while starting all five matches of the Montreux Volley Masters in which the U.S. earned the silver medal…Converted 56.3 percent of attacks into kills with a .479 hitting efficiency (40-6-71) for the tournament…Tallied 15 points in the gold-medal match against China, including 13 kills on 21 swings o go with two blocks…Averaged 2.14 points per set at Pan American Cup with one match start and seven sets played…Converted six of seven attacks into kills versus Trinidad & Tobago on June 20. 2009 – Charted a 2.26 scoring average with a .389 hitting efficiency in first international season with the U.S. Women’s National Team, playing in every single tournament with 18 starts and 69 sets played…Tallied match-high 18 points versus Egypt on April 10, producing 16

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kills on 25 attempts with just two errors for a 64 percent on kill attempts…

Started six of seven matches at the Pan American Cup, producing a 2.29 scoring average over 21 sets…Held a .381 hitting efficiency and 0.67 blocks per set average at the Pan American Cup…Started all three matches of the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G event and contributed 1.11 points per set while converting eight of 16 attacks into kills…

Started first two matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix and played in a total of six sets during the opening weekend of the event…Contributed five points with three kills on five attacks and two blocks versus Germany on July 31…

Named Best Blocker during Final Four Intercontinental Cup after averaging 0.95 blocks per set as part of a 2.40 scoring average…Converted 54 percent of her attacks into points during Final Four Cup, including a .396 hitting efficiency with two matches against top-ranked Brazil…Provided 16 points in Final Four Cup opener against Brazil in which she tallied 10 kills with a .600 hitting efficiency, five blocks and an ace…Tallied 10 points in a rematch with Brazil in the goldmedal match of the Final Four Cup on Sept. 13…Contributed seven blocks as part of 9-point match against Dominican Republic on Sept. 12 during Final Four Cup semifinals…Tallied 25 points in nine sets played during NORCECA Continental Championship…Scored five kills on six errorless attacks to go with five blocks against Costa Rica on Sept. 24…Recorded six kills on eight attacks with an ace in start versus Mexico on Sept. 22.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Member of the 2004 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that won the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship in Winnipeg, Canada ... Selected to the 2005 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that competed in Ankara, Turkey, at the FIVB Under-20 World Championships.

PERSONAL: Born Christa Deanne Harmotto on Oct. 12, 1986, in Sewickley, Pa…Parents are Robert and Constance Harmotto…Father played basketball at Juniata College…Has younger brothers Nathan and Nolan …Majored in elementary education at Penn State and graduated Copyright USA Vollyeball in 2009…Nickname by teammates is Mom… Started playing volleyball at age 13…Hobbies include dinner with friends, being active outdoors (biking, snowboarding, s w i m m i n g ) … Fa v o r i t e musical group is Sugarland…Favorite subject in school is math…

Favorite pro sports team is Pittsburgh Steelers…

Favorite athlete is Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh Steelers…Favorite food is gnocchi’s…Favorite book is “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan…Favorite TV Show is Good Morning America…Favorite actor is Mark Wahlberg and favorite actress is Sandra Bullock…Favorite place to visit is Modena, Italy…Interesting fact about her is “I wear croc flip flops and Nicole Fawcett wants them.”…Another interesting fact about her is “My parents have over 100 3mm cassette tapes of my brothers and I growing up…we used to watch them New Year’s Day every year and probably have only seen half. Brothers and I have said that we would wait five years into wedlock before we reveal them to our spouses.”

points in 26 sets to help the U.S. finish fifth at Pan American Cup and earn 2009 World Grand Prix berth…Averaged 2.81 points, 2.38 kills, 0.31 blocks and 0.77 digs per set at the Pan American Cup…Hit .710 against Argentina, the bronze medalist at the Pan American Cup, with 10 kills on 14 errorless swings in a June 1 victory…Started two of three sets played versus Brazil on June 13 compiling three kills and an ace…Started two of four sets played at the FIVB World Grand Prix compiling two kills on nine attacks and an ace. 2005 – Participated at the Montreux Volley Masters and FIVB World Grand Prix events.

Kristin Hildebrand

Outside Hitter * 6-1 Orem, Utah College: Stanford Joined Team: September 2005 Club: Amil Campinas (Brazil) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold)…USA Volleyball Cup…FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)…NORCECA Championship (Gold))...

FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver). 2012 – FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…Pan American Cup (Gold-MVP). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth). 2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver). 2009 – Pan American Cup (Fourth); FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G (Gold)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Ninth)…NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth). 2008 – Pan American Cup (Fifth Place)…U.S. Olympic Team Exhibition for Volleyball versus Brazil…FIVB World Grand Prix (Fourth Place). 2005 – Montreux Volley Masters (7th Place)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Eighth Place).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Scored 291 points, second on the team, with a 2.94 scoring average while starting 30 of 31 matches of the 2013 season as the U.S. captain…Helped team that won gold for second consecutive year…

Tallied 50 points in 15 sets played for a 3.33 scoring average…Converted 49.4 percent of attacks into kills during Pan American Cup, including 10-of-16 in title win over Dominican Republic…Started first two matches of USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan, contributing 27 points in eight sets for a 3.38 scoring average…

Added a 2.50 dig average in the two wins over Japan…Served as captain for FIVB World Grand Prix team…Started all 14 matches of FIVB World Grand Prix, averaging 3.06 points, 2.67 kills, 0.31 blocks and 1.49 digs per set…Led team in scoring in four of 14 World Grand Prix matches, including a 20-point performance in four-set win over Japan on Aug. 17 and 11 matches with at least 10 points…Through the World Grand Prix preliminary round, ranked fourth in Best Spiker and 18th in scoring…Helped U.S. win the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship by averaging 2.30 points and 1.60 digs per set…

Scored 10 points in NORCECA gold-medal match versus Dominican Republic…

Averaged 2.41 points and 1.65 digs per set in helping U.S. earn silver at FIVB Grand Champions Cup…Tallied 17 points versus Japan on Nov. 13. 2012 – Averaged 3.57 points and 2.22 digs per set while playing in 23 sets with six match starts during the FIVB World Grand Prix as the U.S. won the gold medal…

Tallied 19 points versus Thailand on June 24, while scoring 17 against Cuba on June 30, her birthday…Named most valuable player and Best Scorer of the Pan American Cup after leading the U.S. to the gold medal…Averaged 4.81 points, 4.30 kills, 0.41 blocks and 2.26 digs per set during the Pan American Cup…Converted 48.9 percent of attacks during Pan Am Cup with .312 hitting efficiency…Scored season-high 35 points versus Brazil in Pan Am Cup goldmedal match…Finished Pan Am Cup with 128 points, including four matches with at least 21 points…Concluded the 2012 season with averages of 4.24 points, 3.62 kills, 0.40 blocks, 0.22 aces and 2.24 digs while starting 12 matches. 2011 – Averaged 1.40 points and 2.73 digs per set during Montreux Volley Masters in which she started one match but played in 15 sets in the tournament…Tallied 15 digs versus Cuba on June 11…On 14-player roster for opening weekend of FIVB World Grand Prix, but did not see action. 2010 – Played a total of five sets in two matches of the Montreux Volley Masters event, record a total of four points and four digs. 2009 – Averaged 2.94 points per set while playing in 48 sets during 2009 season…Started six matches and played 20 total sets of the Pan American Cup, averaging 3.30 points and 1.35 digs per set…Converted 40.4 percent of attacks into kills at Pan American Cup… Generated 4.00 points per set coming off the bench in three sets at FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament - NORCECA Pool G…Tallied 11 points with nine kills on 14 attempts in two sets versus Barbados on July 7…Started six of nine matches during the preliminary weekends of the FIVB World Grand Prix and averaged 2.54 points and 1.00 digs per set. 2008 – Contributed 73

OTHER USAV EXPERIENCE: 2003 – Member of USA National A2 program. 2002 – Member of U.S. Women’s Junior National Team. 2001 – Traveled with U.S. Women’s National Team player and served as a practice player at the Montreux Volley Masters tournament...Member of U.S. Women’s Junior National Team.

2000 – Captain of U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team…Traveled to Switzerland with U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team.

COLLEGE: Two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American while competing as an outside hitter at Stanford University (2003-2006)... Concluded collegiate career in 2006 ranked among the top 10 in several career categories with the Cardinal. Holds the Stanford record for career digs (1,597) and career dig average (3.44 per set), while ranking third in career attacks (4,350). Ranks fifth with 1,819-career kills and 3.92 kills per set. 2006 - Earned AllAmerican Honorable Mention by Volleyball Magazine and was a Third Team honoree by the AVCA...Named to the All-Pac-10 Team for the fourth-straight season. 2005 - FirstTeam AVCA All-American and ASICS/Volleyball All-American…Also named First-Team AVCA Pacific Region…Named to the All-Pac-10 First Copyright USA Volleyball Team for a third-straight season. 2004 - Volleyball Magazine All-American…NCAA All-Tournament selection…NCAA Regional AllTournament choice…Pac-10 First Team selection. 2003 - Volleyball Magazine National Freshman of the Year…AVCA Pacific Region Freshman of the Year…

Pac-10 Freshman of the Year…All-Pac-10 selection.

PERSONAL: Born Kristin Richards on June 30, 1985…Daughter of Dave and Lori Richards…has one sister (Lauren) and two brothers (Andrew and Taylor)…Sister, Lauren, played volleyball at BYU and is now coaching at American University…

Both her father and mother played volleyball at BYU…Father, Dave, also played on the U.S. National Team from 1978 to 1980...Married Tyler Hildebrand on Sept.

13, 2012…Graduated from Stanford in 2007 with a bachelor of arts degree in urban studies...Played volleyball since age eight...Rehabilitated two consecutive knee surgeries in nine months... Hobbies include photography, napping, reading, spending time with friends...Happiest moment in life was her wedding day…

Happiest moment in sports was winning the 2012 Pan Am Cup…Happiest moment in life was “meeting my niece”... Admires her mother most for “her strength and example she left”…Favorite athlete is Karch Kiraly...Favorite movie is Love Actually…Favorite Actor is Ryan Gosling…Favorite book is Atlas Shrugged…Favorite musician is Adele…Favorite food is Mexican cuisine…

Speaks Russian, Italian and Spanish.

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School in 2008 ... A four-year letterwinner ... A Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection and the nation’s #8 recruit according to prepvolleyball.com ... A twotime Oregon state 2A player of the year ... Won the Gatorade Oregon Player of the Year award as a senior... Earned all-state honors all four years and was a three-time Northwest League MVP ... Team won state championships in 2006 and 2007 ... Also was a standout in basketball, winning Oregon 2A state player of the year honors twice.

Kim Hill

Outside Hitter * 6-2 Portland, Oregon College: Pepperdine Joined Team: May 2013 Club: Atom Trefl Sopot (Poland) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold)...USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...

FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Finished first year with Team USA having played in 95 of possible 118 sets with 15 match starts and a 2.16 scoring average…Made senior level international debut at Pan American Cup, playing in four sets as a reserve…Tallied 11 points with a .333 hitting efficiency (82-18)…Provided nine points off the bench in sweep of Brazil in Pan Am Cup semifinals…Started one match of USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan and played in all three matches…Averaged 3.33 points, 2.56 kills, 0.56 blocks and 1.33 digs in USA Volleyball Cup with a 44.2 kill percent…Contributed 12 points in three sets off the bench against Japan on July 10, followed by a five-point performance in just one set on July 12…Finished USA Volleyball Cup with 13 points…Started all 14 matches of FIVB World Grand Prix, averaging 2.96 points, 0.37 aces and 1.65 digs per set…Led team in scoring versus Russia (Aug. 2) with 16 points and versus Brazil (Aug. 4) with 15 points…Tallied 18 points in final World Grand Prix match versus Japan while converting 50 percent of attacks into points…Played in 10 sets as a reserve during the NORCECA Championship, compiling four kills, three aces and six digs…Played in all 21 sets during FIVB Grand Champions Cup, primarily as serving sub…Averaged 0.19 aces during FIVB Grand Champions Cup to rank ninth in the category.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: Career - Ranked sixth all-time at Pepperdine with 1,300 kills and is tied for third with 376 blocks ... Averaged 3.12 kills/set, 1.21 digs/ set and 0.90 blocks/set ... Career hitting percentage of .322 ranks sixth ... In 2011, became the program’s second ever AVCA First Team All-American, ninth WCC player of the Year and only (in any sport) Lowe’s Senior CLASS finalist ...

First and only student-athlete to make the AVCA All-American first team roster in both indoor and sand volleyball during the same season. 2012 - Member of the inaugural AVCA Sand Volleyball All-American class ... Reached the semifinals of the AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Pairs Championship alongside partner Lilla Frederick. 2011 – Named AVCA All-America First-Team and West Coast Conference Player of the Year. 2010 – Awarded AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-Pacific Region and All-WCC First-Team. 2009 – Selected AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-Pacific Region and AllWCC First-Team. 2008 – Named WCC Freshman of the Year.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played for Nike Northwest Juniors and the team won the Reno Festival in 16s and 17s… Graduated from Portland (Ore.) Christian High

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PERSONAL: Born Kimberly Hill on Nov. 30, 1989, in Portland, Ore…Parents are Bradd and Terri Hill…Three older sisters Shelby (played basketball at Biola College), Caitlin (who played volleyball at Azusa Pacific) and Kelsey (who plays basketball at Seattle Pacific)…Enjoys shopping and watching television ...

Lists her sports hero as Kerri Strugg ... Favorite pro volleyball player is Kerri Walsh ... Favorite pro sports team is the Portland Trailblazers ... Favorite book is Redeeming Love ... Favorite movie is Dreamgirls ... Favorite TV show is Friends ... Favorite musical artist is Beyonce’ ... Favorite sport other than volleyball is speedwalking ... Favorite things about volleyball are “how emotional it is and how close you get to your team.”

Copyright USA Volleyball

Megan Hodge

Outside Hitter * 6-3 Durham, North Carolina College: Penn State Joined Team: February 2010 Club: Guangdong Evergrande (China) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold). 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 - Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...

FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – China Tour…Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…

Pan American Cup (Bronze)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…Tour of Brazil…

FIVB World Championship (Fourth).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Started all five matches in helping U.S. win second straight Pan American Cup…Named Best Spiker in the Pan Am Cup as she held a .482 hitting efficiency with a 55.3 kill percent…Averaged 3.60 points per set in 15 sets played in Pan Am Cup, including 17 points versus Puerto Rico on June 11. 2012 – Selected most valuable player of the FIVB World Grand Prix after leading Team USA to 5-0 record in the Final Round and a 14-0 overall record…Added Best Scorer honors during the Final Round with 103 points (89 kills, 13 blocks, 1 ace)… Finished second in the Best Spiker category with a 43.8 kill percent (89-of-203), seventh in Best Blocker with 0.68 blocks per set and third in Best Digger with 1.84 digs per set…Over the course of the full tournament averaged 5.26 points over the course of the 14-match World Grand Prix in which the U.S. did not lose a match…Converted 49.5 percent of her attacks for points with a .376 hitting efficiency… added averages of 4.58 kills, 2.55 digs and 0.52 blocks per set…Helped the U.S. to the Olympic Games silver medal…Played in eight sets with one start at the Olympics, compiling 3.38 points and 1.75 digs per set with a .300 hitting efficiency…Came off the bench to score 18 points against China on Aug. 1 with 18 kills on 27 attacks…

Scored four kills, one block and one ace in gold-medal match against Brazil…

Ended 2012 with nine match starts and 41 sets played in averaging 4.76 points and 2.29 digs…Attacked at a .357 hitting efficiency and 49.0 kill percent in 2012 while also averaging 4.15 kills and 0.46 blocks per set. 2011 – Led U.S. in scoring at Pan American Cup with 85 points and 4.05 points per set…Recorded 17 kills, one block and eight digs versus Brazil on July 5…Tallied 18 points versus Dominican Republic in Pan Am Cup semifinal…Converted 45 percent of attacks at Pan Am Cup with .287 hitting efficiency…Started four matches during the FIVB World Grand Prix helping the U.S. win the gold medal…Averaged 3.73 points, 1.55 digs and 0.41 aces per set while hitting .298 in the tournament…

Scored 15 points in each of the first three matches of the preliminary round, including a 10-kill, three-block, two-ace performance against China…Tallied 12 points in a reserve role versus Serbia…Tallied 15 points versus Peru with 12 kills on 20 errorless attacks and three blocks…Subbed into five-set rally over Italy and provided 11 digs… Scored 11 kills on 19 attacks in two sets as a reserve helping the U.S. win gold at the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship…Hit at a .526 efficiency during the NORCECA Championship…

In reserve role at FIVB World Cup, averaged 3.75 points with a 51.6 kill percent and .406 hitting efficiency while playing 12 sets helping U.S. earn the silver medal and 2012 Olympic Games qualification…Tallied 20 points with 15 kills, five aces and 10 digs in start against Kenya. 2010 – Averaged team-leading 5.29 points per set in starting all three matches of USA’s tour of China…Scored 15 points in exhibition versus Evergrande on Feb. 2 with 15 kills and nine digs…

In pro debut, notched 15 points versus Hong Kong on Jan. 30 with 12 kills on 18 swings and just one error to go with three blocks and five digs…Hit at a .382 efficiency on China Tour and converted 48.5 percent of attacks into kills…

Averaged 3.00 digs per set on China Tour…Totaled a team-leading 5.00 points per set in starting all five matches at the Montreux Volley Masters in which the U.S. won the silver medal…Converted 42.6 percent of attacks into kills at Montreux while adding averages of 0.61 blocks and 1.67 digs per set…Finished Montreux as the fourth leading scorer among all players…Scored double-figures in all five Montreux matches, including a 26-point performance (23 kills, 3 blocks) in a four-set win over Germany on June 9…Tallied 19 points versus Russia on June 11 and 18 points versus China on June 13 in the Montreux gold-medal match…

Averaged 3.60 points, 1.87 digs, 3.27 kills, 0.20 aces and 0.13 blocks during the Pan American Cup, despite missing two matches as she traveled to accept her Honda-Broderick Cup award for best female collegiate athlete in any sport for the 2009-2010 season…Converted 13 of 18 errorless attacks into points for a .722 hitting efficiency against Puerto Rico on June 19…Contributed match-high 16 points with a .414 hitting efficiency on 29 attacks versus Cuba in bronzemedal match of Pan American Cup on June 26…Contributed 3.31 points per set in 16 sets played at the FIVB World Grand Prix in which the U.S. won the gold medal…Tallied 17 points and 15 digs versus Germany on Aug. 7, followed by a 15-point, 20-dig match against Poland on Aug. 8…Started FIVB World Grand Prix with 14 points and 13 digs in a win over Dominican Republic…Averaged 3.47 points per set while starting two of four matches on Tour of Brazil…Scored 22 points versus Brazil on Sept. 25, followed by a 20-point match on Sept. 26 in a reserve role.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Member of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team…

Member of 2004 and 2005 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team ... Voted the Most Valuable Player and “Best Attacker” at the 2004 NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship in Cataño, Puerto Rico ...

Competed with the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team at the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship in Macau, China in 2005.

PERSONAL: Born Megan Hodge on Oct. 15, 1988, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Courtesy of FIVB Islands…Parents are Michael and Carmen Hodge…Both her parents played for the Virgin Islands National Volleyball Team…Mother played volleyball at George Washington University, while father played at University of Virgin Islands…Brother Michael… Majored in business management at Penn State University…From 1996-2002, was a member of the Bouncing Bulldogs Jump Rope Demonstration team and was a silver medalist in the 12-14 age division at the World Championship in Ghent, Belgium, as a member of the USA Jump Rope Team.

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PERSONAL: Born Regan Elizabeth Hood on Aug. 10, 1983, in Lafayette, Louisiana…Parents are Mark and Ann Hood…Older sister is Rachel Hood…

Hobbies are reading, watching television, playing games with friends…Favorite food is Mexican…Favorite book is all. Favorite movies are comedies…Favorite team is LSU Athletics…Most admired people are her parents because “they worked hard and supported my sister and I to give us all the opportunities we have.”…In 2013, will be starting her eighth professional season in different country (Holland, Spain, France, Azerbaijan, Romania, Turkey).

Regan Hood

Outside Hitter * 6-2 Dallas, Texas College: LSU Joined Team: September 2011 Club: Ilbank Ankara (Turkey)

Copyright USA Volleyball MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - FIVB World Grand Prix (6th). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze) INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Played in 10 sets as a reserve in the FIVB World Grand Prix, compiling nine kills and four aces for 13 points…Tallied eight points versus Algeria on Aug. 9. 2011 - Played in four set at Pan American Games, helping Team USA to the bronze medal…Tallied eight kills and a block versus Mexico in two sets of action.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2004 - First-team All-Louisiana selection ... Became just the 13th player in LSU history to record 1,000 career kills ... Finished her career ranked 11th in school history ... Led the team with 344 kills and ranked second in kills per game. 2003 - Second-team All-SEC selection ... Named to the AllLouisiana first team ... Became just the fourth player in LSU volleyball history to lead the Tigers in kills, blocks and hitting percentage in the same season.

2002 - Honorable Mention All-Louisiana selection ... Led the team with 18 block solos, 83 block assists and 101 total blocks ... Ranked second on the team with 310 kills and 3.01 kills per game. 2001 - Had a team-best 1.39 blocks per game average playing mostly middle blocker.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Started playing club volleyball in 1999 with North Dallas Juniors… Named first-team all-state and the District Offensive Player of the Year in her senior season at Bishop Lynch High School ... Also played soccer, earning four letters.

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Copyright USA Volleyball

Cursty Jackson

Outside Hitter * 6-1 Los Angeles, California College: Arizona Joined Team: May 2013 Club: Rabita Baku (Azerbaijan) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Started and played five sets in final USA Volleyball Cup match versus Japan on July 13…Notched 10 points in 3-2 win over Japan with four kills, three aces and three blocks in debut with U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team…In FIVB debut, averaged 2.33 points per set with a .340 hitting efficiency at FIVB Grand Champions Cup while starting one match and playing in 12 sets...Scored 11 points versus Thailand on Nov. 16 with nine kills on 18 errorless attacks and two blocks.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 - Named to the All Pac-12 Team after playing in every set and led Arizona in hitting percentage (.293) and blocks (102).

2010 – Selected All-Pac 10 Honorable Mention after transferring to University of Arizona…Averaged 2.43 kills per game and posted a team-high 133 total blocks...2009 - Named to the Mountain West’s All-Conference playing for UNLV…Placed third in points per set (4.10) and fourth in kills per set (3.39) in the conference…Participated in all matches in 2009. Led the Rebels in kills (298), kills per set (3.39), assisted blocks (71) and total blocks (88). 2008 - Named the Mountain West Conference’s Freshman of the Year playing for UNLV... Had a total of 210 kills with nine matches of 10 or more kills, including a season-high 19 vs. BYU (Nov. 6).

CLUB/PREP CAREER: A 2008 graduate of John A. Rowland High School in Rowland Heights, Calif....Lettered three years in volleyball, while also participating in track and basketball...Named to the All-Valley First Team in volleyball and track in 2007-08...Named to the All-San Antonio League First Team during her junior and senior seasons in volleyball and track...Won the league championships in long jump in 2005-06 and the high jump in 2007-08...Team captain in 200708...Holds the high school’s record in the high jump, long jump and triple jump.

PERSONAL: Born Cursty Jackson on Sept. 11, 1990…Has 10 siblings: Antonio, Curtis Jr., Latisha, Shaquisha, Curtisha, Shawanda, Leonardo, Kayonna, Ravion and Shamya.

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Jordan Larson-Burbach Outside Hitter * 6-2 Hooper, Nebraska College: Nebraska Joined Team: June 2009 Club: Dinamo Kazan (Russia)

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - USA Volleyball Cup...NORCECA Championship (Gold-Best Server)...FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver). 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)...Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – Pan American Cup (Bronze)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)…Tour of Brazil…

FIVB World Championship (Fourth). 2009 – Pan American Cup (Fourth)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Ninth)…NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth). 2004 – NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship. (Gold). 2003 – FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Averaged 3.69 points per set in 2013 while competing in 11 matches and 42 sets…Started two of three matches of USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan…Tallied 17 points (2.13 per set) and 26 digs (3.25 per set) in eight sets versus Japan in USA Volleyball Cup…Playing in her home state of Nebraska, helped Team USA to the gold medal of the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship by averaging 3.38 points, 2.00 digs and 1.00 aces per set in four victories…Named Best Server with 13 aces in NORCECA Championship...Scored 14 points in NORCECA gold-medal match versus Dominican Republic…Led U.S. to silver medal at FIVB Grand Champions Cup with 4.48 points per set and 94 points scored, second most in the tournament…Reached 20 or more points in three of five matches in Grand Champions Cup, including 26 against Thailand and 24 versus Russia…Added 1.90 digs and 0.43 blocks per set in Grand Champions Cup. 2012 – Started the first six matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary rounds to help the U.S. qualify for the Final Round and eventually win the title…Averaged 4.00 points, 0.63 blocks, 3.26 kills and 3.00 digs per set in World Grand Prix, including 21 points and 11 digs against Brazil on June 15…Helped U.S. earn silver medal at the Olympic Games by starting seven of eight matches and averaging 3.50 points and 2.42 digs per set…Produced a .302 hitting efficiency with 2.96 kills per set to go with 0.42 blocks per set…Scored 18 points in consecutive victories over Korea (July 28) and Brazil (July 30)…Ranked 16th overall in scoring at the Olympics, along with 10th in Best Spiker…Finished 2012 with averages of 3.80 points, 2.58 digs, 0.47 blocks and 3.20 kills per set while holding a .296 hitting efficiency with 16 matches starts and 55 sets played. 2011 – Averaged 2.15 points per set at the Montreux Volley Masters with just one match start and 20 sets played in…Scored 21 points versus China in the bronze-medal match on June 12, which included 14 kills on 38 swings, five blocks, two aces and 15 digs…Started in seven of eight matches at the Pan American Cup with 23 sets played…Averaged 3.22 points and 1.83 digs per set at Pan American Cup… Totaled 15 points in semifinal match versus Dominican Republic, in addition to 14 kills and 10 digs versus Brazil in pool play…Started 13 of 14 matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix and helping the U.S. win the tournament for the second straight year…Averaged 3.05 points, 1.93 digs, 2.14 kills, 0.48 aces and 0.43 blocks per set…During FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round, ranked 11th in Best Scorer, 11th in Best Spiker, third in Best Server, fifth in Best Receiver and 14th in Best Blocker for an all-around performance…Scored 12 points in three-set victory over Brazil in World Grand Prix gold-medal match…Scored 10 or more points in eight World Grand Prix matches while Serving at least four aces in three matches…Averaged 3.71 points, 2.79 kills, 0.36 aces, 0.57 blocks and 1.21 digs per set in helping U.S. win NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship…

Finished second in Best Receiver and fifth in both Best Scorer and Best Spiker in NORCECA Championship…Converted 49.4 percent of attacks at NORCECA with .367 hitting efficiency…Tallied 11 kills on 17 attacks with 13 points against Cuba in NORCECA semifinal…Averaged 3.10 points and 1.70 digs per set with 10 of 11 starts in FIVB World Cup leading to the silver medal and 2012 Olympic

qualification…Scored 17 points in three-set win over Serbia, in addition to 14 points and nine digs in win over Italy to clinch Olympic berth…Tallied 13 points and 11 digs in win over No. 1 Brazil to start World Cup…Ranked seventh in World Cup Best Receiver with 55.35 efficiency. 2010 – Started all seven matches and 21 of 22 sets at Pan American Cup, helping Team USA to the bronze medal…

Averaged team-leading 3.62 points per set and scored in double-digits in six of the seven matches…Tallied double-double of 14 points and 10 digs versus Costa Rica on June 21…Started all 14 matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix in which the U.S. won the gold medal…Averaged 2.75 points and 2.73 digs per set during the FIVB World Grand Prix, including 10 matches with double-figure scoring…

Tallied 17 points versus Italy on Aug. 13 with 11 kills and five blocks…Ranked 18th in scoring during FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round with 47 points, while also ranking 11th in Blocking, 16th in Serving and 10th in Digging…Averaged 1.65 points per set on Tour of Brazil, including two match starts…Started all 11 matches and 40 sets of the FIVB World Championship while averaging 3.2 points, 2.48 digs, 2.70 kills and 0.43 blocks per set…Tallied 17 points against both Cuba on Nov. 3 and Japan on Nov. 14…Scored 15 points against Brazil on Nov. 10…Tallied double-doubles (kills and digs) in four matches, including the final three against Brazil, Russia (semifinals) and Japan (bronze-medal match).

2009 – Averaged 2.73 points and 1.06 digs per set in first season with U.S. Women’s National Team, which included 19 match starts and 79 sets played…

Started six of seven matches at the Pan American Cup with 21 sets played…

Contributed 77 points at the Pan American Cup as part of a 3.67 scoring average with a 3.29 kill average…Added 0.81 digs and 0.29 ace average…Scored in double-figures in five Pan American Cup matches, including individual high 18 points versus Puerto Rico on June 30…Produced hitting efficiency of .688 (12 kills, 1 error, 16 attacks) in first match with the senior national team against Costa Rica on June 26…Started eight of nine matches during the preliminary rounds of the FIVB World Grand Prix, competing in a total of 35 of 36 sets…

Averaged 2.20 points and 0.63 digs per set during World Grand Prix…Reached double-figure scoring in four matches, including 12 points against Dominican Republic on Aug. 7 and Netherlands on Aug. 8…Contributed 10 points in threeset loss to Brazil on Aug. 2…Started five of six matches at NORCECA Continental Championship, compiling 2.70 points and 1.96 digs per set…Tallied 15 points and 12 digs versus Canada on Sept. 25…Contributed 14 points and 14 digs in five-set loss to Cuba on Sept. 23.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2004 - Led the U.S. Junior National Team to a gold medal at the 2004 NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship, earning MVP and Best Receiver Awards. 2003 – Member of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that participated in the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship, earning the tournament’s Top Server honor.

PERSONAL: Born Jordan Quinn Larson on Oct. 16, 1986, in Fremont, Neb… Parents are Pat and Kae Clough and Kevin Larson…

Copyright USA Volleyball Married Luke Burbach in May 2009…Majored in communication studies at University of Nebraska with a minor in psychology, graduating in December 2008…Teammates call her ‘Jor’ or ‘Govnah’…Favorite movie is Love and Basketball…Favorite food is pasta…Favorite book is The Notebook…Favorite music genre are country and Hip-Hop…Favorite place to play volleyball is University of Nebraska…Favorite volleyball moment was fifth set against University of Washington in 2008…Started playing volleyball at age 12…Interesting note about herself most people do not know is she “actually enjoys mowing the lawn.”

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National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2007 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship in Thailand.

Cassidy Lichtman

Opposite * 6-1 Poway, California College: Stanford Joined Team: January 2011 Last Club: Franches-Montagnes MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold)...USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...

FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Helped the U.S. secure gold for the second consecutive year at the Pan American Cup…Played six sets in Pan Am Cup, including two set starts in win over Brazil in which she had six kills on 10 errorless attacks and an ace for seven points…Played in nine of 13 sets of USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan, starting the first match on July 10…Tallied two kills during the USA Volleyball Cup…Played in 44 sets during FIVB World Grand Prix primarily as serving sub…Tallied six aces in World Grand Prix and 20 total points…Scored eight points in reserve role versus Japan on Sept. 1…

Played in 11 of 13 sets during NORCECA Championship helping the U.S. capture the gold medal…Recorded one ace, three threes and two assists in her limited playing time in NORCECA Championship…Played in 20 of 21 sets at FIVB Grand Champions Cup primarily as back-row sub, but ranked seventh in aces with 0.24 per set…Provided eight kills on 23 errorless attacks in helping U.S. rally to defeat Thailand on Nov. 16…Averaged 1.10 digs at Grand Champions Cup while holding .296 hitting efficiency (8-0-27) without an error as a sub. 2012 - Started all seven matches of the Pan American Cup at outside hitter, producing 1.36 points and 1.64 digs in helping Team USA to the gold medal…Tallied 13 digs in gold-medal match versus Brazil…Converted seven of nine errorless attacks versus Puerto Rico in Pan Am Cup preliminary round. 2011 – Helped the U.S. to the bronze medal at the Pan American Games as she played in 16 of 17 sets…

Averaged 2.50 points and 1.63 digs per set at the Pan American Games…Scored 11 points versus Peru on Oct. 16, in addition to 10 points versus Dominican Republic in the bronze-medal match on Oct. 20.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Competed for San Diego Volleyball Club…A four-year letterwinner in volleyball and a three-year letterwinner in softball at Francis Parker School in San Diego, Calif., serving as captain of the volleyball squad as a junior and senior... Named two-time PrepVolleyball All-American…Named San Diego County Scholar Athlete of the Year for 2006-07,..Selected the Francis Parker School Scholar Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year for 2006-07... Chosen the 2006 San Diego County CIF Player of the Year...Threetime Coastal League and two-time San Diego Section Division IV MVP...Named a PrepVolleyball Finalist and National High School Junior of the Year in 2005...

Named MVP of the Division IV State Championships in 2004 and 2005 ...Elected to the San Diego Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

PERSONAL: Born Cassidy Singer Lichtman on May 25, 1989, in LaJolla, Calif…

Parents are Grant and Julie Lichtman…Graduated from Stanford University in 2011 with a bachelor of arts degree majoring in political science and followed with master of arts degree in history later in the year…Created her own volleyball clinic series called Play with a Purpose in which all money goes to benefit the Ronald McDonald House...Hobbies include reading, talking to funny people, learning new things…Favorite foods are berries, sweet potatoes…

Favorite Book is the Kite Runner or Harry Potter…Favorite music is country and pop…Favorite musical groups are Zac Brown Band and Michael Franti…

Favorite movie is Crash…Favorite actors are Robin Williams and Zachary Levi…

Most admired people are Lisa Sharpley and Foluke Akinradewo because they are “such great athletes, but also just really solid people.”…Happiest moment in life was “with my teammates, sometimes laughing until I cried.”…An interesting story about myself is “When I was nine years old I was told I’d never walk again.

And then I decided that I was going to do it anyway and here I am!”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 – Selected AVCA First Team All-American and Volleyball Magazine Second-Team All-American...Chosen All-Pac-10 Conference pick ...Led the team with 18 double-doubles on the season, including four tripledoubles, ranking second in the Pac-10...Finished Stanford career with 2,366 assists, ranking eighth all-time in program history...Her 5.17 career assists per set average is 10th overall in school history...Paced the team with 7.92 assists per set, ranked second with 2.83 points per set, third with 2.28 kills per set and fourth with 2.48 digs per set...CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-American. 2009 – Selected AVCA All-America First-Team and AllPac-10…Led team with 22 double-doubles, including 10 triple-doubles on the year...Ranked second on the team with 3.16 kills per set, 2.78 digs per set and 3.55 points per set. 2008 - Earned 2008 All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention after transitioning into a new setter role after primarily being a hitter and defensive specialist as a freshman…Appeared in all 118 sets as both a primary setter and a setter/hitter…Paced the Cardinal with 9.39 assists per set and ranked third on the team with 2.36 digs average and 76. 2007 - Appeared in 90 games, playing roles as both a hitter and defensive specialist in her rookie season.

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: Helped the U.S. Women’s Junior

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Courtesy NORCECA

Tamari Miyashiro

Libero * 5-7 Kaneohe, Hawaii College: Washington Joined Team: January 2010 Club: Rote Raben Vilsbiburg (GER) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th). 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver).

2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth Place)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...

Pan American Games (Bronze)...FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2010 – Tour of China…

Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…Pan American Cup (Bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Started July 13 match of USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan, totaling 11 digs and three assists in five-set win…Started nine of 14 FIVB World Grand Prix matches at libero, averaging 2.52 digs per set and finished 13th in Best Digger in the Final Round despite not playing final two matches. 2012 – Played in 43 of a possible 48 sets in the FIVB World Grand Prix, including stepping into the starting libero the final two matches…As a serving sub in 35 sets, served 60 times with two aces averaging 1.71 serves per substitution…Averaged 1.02 digs per set in her limited action on the court,

including 18 digs in the gold-medal clinching match against China on July 1…

Played in 21 sets during the Olympic Games as a serving specialist, winning four points off her serve…Finished 2012 having played 73 sets with two match starts at libero, compiling a 0.60 dig average…Totaled three aces as a serving specialist. 2011 – Reserve libero at Montreux Volley Masters…Played one set during exhibition match versus Switzerland on June 8, compiling five digs…

Played in 13 sets with one start during the FIVB World Grand Prix…Compiled eight digs in starting role against Peru on Aug. 21…Averaged 1.08 assists per set during World Grand Prix…Averaged 2.35 digs per set in helping the U.S. to the Pan American Games bronze medal…Started all five matches of Pan American Games at libero…Played libero in one match during FIVB World Cup, leading to two digs in a victory over Algeria. 2010 - Played in seven sets over three-match Tour of China…Averaged team-leading 4.00 digs per set on Tour of China, including 13 digs versus Evergrande on Feb. 2…Provided a total of 12 digs in 15 sets as a back-row substitution during the Montreux Volley Masters…

Tallied five digs each against Russia (June 11) and China (June 13) in the goldmedal match…Designated libero in one of seven matches at Pan American Cup, compiling seven digs versus Costa Rica on June 21... Made professional club debut with SVS Post Schwechat Vienna, Austria.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2009 – Selected AVCA All-American Second Team…

Totaled 517 digs as a senior with a 4.92 dig average while playing in 30 matches and 105 sets…Holds University of Washington school record for career digs with 2,382 and 5.36 digs per set. 2008 – Named National Defensive Player of the Year by UnderArmour/Volleyball Magazine ... Second team AVCA All-America ... First-team All-Pac-10 ... Led the Pac-10 and finished 16th in the nation in digs (5.14 dps) ... Played in all 114 sets and all 32 matches. 2007 – Named National Defensive Player of the Year by Asics/Volleyball Magazine ... Selected third team AVCA All-American and honorable mention Asics/Volleyball Magazine All-American ... First-Team All-Pac-10 ... one of three Huskies to see action in every game ... second in the conference and 32nd nationally in digs at 5.65 digs per set ... her 622 digs is the third-best single-season mark in UW history.

2006 – Seattle Regional All-Tournament Team ... All-Pac-10 honorable mention ... Pac-10 All-Freshman team ... played in all 34 matches as Washington’s libero averaging 5.57 digs per game. 2005 – Redshirted CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played club volleyball for the Asics Rainbows under Aven Lee and Luis Ramirez ...Club team placed eighth at the 2002 Davis Festival and ninth at the 2001 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships earning all-tournament team 15’s club…A four-year letterwinner and team captain at Kalani High School ... Four-time first team all-league selection and three-time Player of the Year ...2004 Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year ...Four-time AllState selection, earning first team honors as a junior and senior ...MVP of the state tournament as a senior ...Led team to three league titles and a third place state finish as a junior ...Team placed fifth in the state tournament as a freshman and senior ...also earned three letters in basketball...Started playing youth club volleyball in 1997 with Asics Rainbows Volleyball Club in Honolulu.

Copyright USA Volleyball

PERSONAL: Born Tamari Miyashiro on July 8, 1987, in Honolulu, Hawaii…

Parents are Joey and Gordon Miyashiro…Brothers Imai, Ainoa and Kaulana…

Sister is Tehani…Mother played volleyball at University of Hawaii, while father played football at Northern Michigan.

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Kelly Murphy

Opposite * 6-2 Wilmington, Illinois College: Florida Joined Team: May 2013 Last Club: Bayamon Vaqueras (‘12) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 – Pan American Cup (Gold)...USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)...NORCECA Championship (GoldMVP)...FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Led Team USA in scoring during her first year with the team, netting 314 points with a 3.53 scoring average over the course of 89 sets and 21 starts…Converted 44.1 percent of attacks in 2013 with a .295 hitting efficiency (262-87-594), along with averages of 0.28 aces, 0.30 blocks and 0.87 digs per set…Played in 11 sets during Pan American Cup helping the U.S. win the event for the second consecutive year…Scored 17 total points in Pan American Cup for a 1.55 average…Tallied 11 points in sweep of Brazil on June 15, including nine kills and two blocks as a reserve with two set starts…Played in nine sets, all as a reserve, in the USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan…Tallied 21 points in two matches of the Cup, including a 12-point performance on July 13 that included 12 kills on 20 attacks with just one set start in a five-set win over Japan…Produced a .529 hitting efficiency during the USA Volleyball Cup on 34 attacks…Started 12 of 14 matches of FIVB World Grand Prix, averaging 3.91 points, 3.16 kills, 0.35 aces, 0.40 blocks and 0.93 digs per set…Led team in scoring in six World Grand Prix matches, twice while coming off the bench…Tallied 25 points versus Serbia on Aug. 11 with 22 kills on 35 swings as part of a .600 hitting efficiency…Through the World Grand Prix preliminary round, ranked second in Best Spiker with a 45.00 kill percent and 18th in scoring…Selected most valuable player and Best Spiker of the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship after leading Team USA to the gold medal…Averaged 4.42 points per set during NORCECA Championship with a 49.5 kill percent and 3.75 kills per set…Added 1.00 dig average in NORCECA Championship…Scored team-high 18 points in NORCECA gold-medal match versus Dominican Republic…Averaged 3.93 points per set during the FIVB Grand Champions Cup while ranking 10thin in scoring with 57points, eighth in spiking with 37.9 kill percent and 10th in serving with a 0.19 ace average…

Scored 19 points against Japan in Grand Champions Cup, while turning in double-double of 16 points and 11 digs versus Dominican Republic.

after career at Joliet Catholic Academy … Selected as 2007 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year…Named captain of the 2008 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 … A three-time All-America selection by PrepVolleyball.com (2005-07) and a two-time Mizuno/Volleyball Magazine pick (2006-07) … Garnered Player of the Year honors from the Chicago Sun-Times in 2007… Was one of only two players with remaining high school eligibility on the team … Guided Sports Performance to the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships 18 Open national title in 2007 and the 16 Open crown in 2006, collecting MVP honors at both events … Sports Performance claimed the 2008 Junior Volleyball Director’s Association national championship … Helped orchestrate three consecutive AAU national championships for Sports Performance from 2006-08, as the club team compiled an 84-0 record since it was assembled when its members were 16 years of age … Named MVP of the tournament during the club’s first title run in 2006…Started playing club volleyball in 2000 with Club Uno. PERSONAL: Born Kelly Murphy on Oct. 20, 1989, in Joliet, Ill.…Parents are Scott and Sandy Murphy with two sisters, Jennifer (1991) and Mary (1997)…

Mother played volleyball at Illinois State University…Nickname is Murph…

Majoring in elementary education at University of Florida…Hobbies include puppies, movies, baking, music, television shows (The Office, new Girl, Modern Family, The Vampire Diaries)…Favorite foods are chips and salsa, queso and guacamole…Favorite book is the Harry Potter series…Favorite music category is country…Favorite musician is Justin Timberlake…Favorite movie is Remember the Titans…Favorite actor is Leonardo DiCaprio…Favorite professional team is Chicago Bulls…Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan…Most admired person is boyfriend Christian Taylor, USA triple jumper in track and field, because “I watched him work for four years for his goal of winning a gold medal and saw him overcome so many obstacles and eventually achieve his goal. It is so inspiring to see someone work so hard, sacrifice so much, and dedicate themselves to something and then actually see the results.”…Happiest moment in life is “When I finally made the decision on where I was going to go to college.

Getting to tell all my family and friends and being able to look forward to that next step in my life was so exciting.”

OTHER USA VOLLEYBALL EXPERIENCE: 2007 - Led the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2007 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Junior World Championship, earning the tournament’s Best Server award.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Named AVCA All-America First Team and Volleyball Magazine All-American as a senior…Selected as a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award finalist…Started every match and set of her career at University of Florida…Finished seventh in school history in sets played (447), eighth in kills (1,306), eighth in assists (2,671), 10th in aces (126) and 10th in points (1,567.5)…Registered 30 career triple-doubles. 2010 – Named AVCA First-Team All-America … Earned SEC Player of the Year … A 2010 First-Team All-SEC selection … Selected CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic AllDistrict selection … Tallied seven triple-doubles on the season, including three that came in three-set matches … Became just the 17th player in school history to record her 1,000th career kill, doing so against Florida State (12/4) … 2009 - Selected 2009 AVCA Second-Team All-American ... All-SEC First Team. 2008 - Named the National Freshman of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and Volleyball Magazine … The 2008 All-South Region selection …

Tied for the national lead in triple-doubles during the 2008 campaign with six … Broke the school record for triple-doubles just 27 matches into her collegiate career.

CLUB/PREP CAREER: Ranked as the nation’s top recruit by PrepVolleyball.com

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Sonja Newcombe

Outside Hitter * 6-1 Lake Arrowhead, California College: Oregon Joined Team: June 2013 Last Club: Rote Rabe Vilsbiburg MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: None INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2009 – Selected AVCA All-America Second Team after ranking in nation’s top 20 in both kills and points per set. 2008 – Selected AllAmerica Honorable Mention and All-Pac-10 First Team. 2007 - Repeated as an All-Pac-10 honorable mention. 2006 - Named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team and received all-conference honorable mention accolades...Led team with 4.26 points per set, a mark that ranked fifth in single-season school history.

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CLUB/PREP CAREER: Played club at Laguna Beach Volleyball Club…Volleyball Magazine Fab 50…As a senior, recipient of three different Player of the Year awards: Press Enterprise, Mojave River League, CIF… As a junior, received State Tournament MVP, two Player of the Year awards (Sun Newspaper, Mojave River League) and first team All-CIF as a junior.

PERSONAL: Born Sonja Elizabeth Newcombe on March 7, 1988 in Lake Arrowhead, Calif…Parents are Stephen and Ingrid Newcombe…Two younger brothers, Eric and Chad.

Lauren Paolini

Middle Blocker * 6-4 Ann Arbor, Mich.

College: Texas Joined Team: January 2008 Club: Hitachi Rivale (Japan) MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - Pan American Cup (Gold)...USA Volleyball Cup...FIVB World Grand Prix (6th)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Silver). 2012 – Pan American Cup (Gold). 2010 – Tour of Brazil. 2009 – FIVB World Grand Prix (9th). 2008 – Tour of China…Pan American Cup (Fifth Place).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Started 12 matches and played in 68 of 118 sets during 2013 with a 2.56 scoring average that included a 49.8 kill percent and team-leading .381 hitting efficiency…Played in six sets during Pan American Cup, highlighted by a 10-point match in a sweep of Brazil on June 15, which included nine kills on 12 attacks and an ace in the semifinal victory…Played in nine sets of the USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan with one match start…Scored team-high 12 points off the bench versus Japan on July 12, which included 10 kills on 19 attacks and two blocks…Added 14 points versus Japan on July 13, including 12 kills on 21 errorless attacks and two blocks…Averaged 3.22 points per set in USA Volleyball Cup…Started four of 14 matches of FIVB World Grand Prix, averaging 1.72 points per set with a 46.8 kill percent…Tallied 11 points with 10 kills on 20 attacks versus Japan on Sept. 1…Scored nine kills on 11 attacks as a reserve in five-set win over Bulgaria on Aug. 18…Helped the U.S. win the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship as she averaged 2.91 points with a 45.0 kill percent while starting two of four matches and playing in 11 of 13 sets...

Scored 11 points in NORCECA gold-medal match against Dominican Republic, including four blocks…Started all five matches of FIVB Grand Champions Cup, producing a 3.18 scoring average with a .337 hitting efficiency (42-13-86)…Recorded a personal-high 21 points with a .458 hitting efficiency (14-3-24) and four blocks versus Dominican Republic on the final day to help secure the Grand Champions Cup silver medal.

2012 – Played in 16 sets of the Pan American Cup with two starts…

Converted 20 of 40 attacks into kills with a .425 hitting efficiency for the tournament, including a combined 10-of-15 versus Puerto Rico and Cuba without an attack error…Contributed eight points off the bench versus Brazil in the gold-medal match. 2010 – Started the second match of the Tour of Brazil, scoring seven points with three kills, three aces and a block. 2009 – Scored 23 points in a two-match tour of Egypt in April…Scored 15 points (13 kills, 1 ace, 1 block) versus Egypt on April 10…Added eight points (5 kills, 2 aces) in two sets versus Egypt on April 12… Played in two matches and three sets of the Pool I leg of the FIVB World Grand Prix…Provided a kill on her only attack attempt of the World Grand Prix against Russia. 2008 - Scored 11 points during a three-week, eight-match tour of China...Tallied four kills on seven attempts without an error in three sets played at the Pan American Cup.

Texas reached the NCAA Tournament semifinals in her senior season…

Credited with set averages of 3.26 points, 2.63 kills, 0.86 blocks, 0.14 aces and 0.53 digs…Compiled a .478 hitting efficiency, which ranked second in the NCAA and set a school single-season mark…Finished career with over 1,000 kills and 400 total blocks. 2007 – Selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Third Team as a junior…Named All-Big 12 First Team…Appeared in all 103 games and 31 matches on the Texas schedule…Averaged 3.65 points, 2.90 kills and 1.28 blocks per game…Led Longhorns in hitting percentage (.418) and blocks (130), finished third in kills (301). 2006 – Started at middle blocker in 20 of 31 matches. 2005 – As a freshman, appeared in 28 matches and averaged 3.03 points and 2.43 kills per game while hitting .261 in a split role between outside hitter and opposite.

PERSONAL: Born Lauren Adair Paolini on Aug. 22, 1987, in Tustin, Calif…

Parents are Frank and Cathy Paolini with one brother, Andrew (1986)…

Nickname is Pao (pronounced pay-o)…Majoring in biology/pre-dental at University of Texas…Hobbies include reading, listening to music, shopping and trying new restaurants…Has spent three years playing beach volleyball…Favorite food is macaroni and cheese…Favorite book is Kite Runner…Enjoys listening to R&B music with favorite musical groups Maroon 5 and Counting Crows…Favorite professional team is Detroit Pistons and favorite athlete is Ben Wallace. Happiest moment in life is every time she is back in Austin, Texas.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 - Named American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America First-Team…Contributed 355.5 points as

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World Championships (Silver Medal). 2001 – World Championships Qualifying (first place)…World Grand Prix (first place)…NORCECA (first place)…World Grand Champions Cup. 2000 – BCV Volley Masters...Brazil Trip...Grand Prix...

NIKE Americas’ Volleyball Challenge...Olympic Games (Fourth Place). 1999 – Brazil Tour…Pan American Games…NORCECA Championship ... World Cup. 1996 – Grand Prix…Olympics. 1995 – Canada Cup…Grand Prix…Pan American Games…World Cup. 1994 – Goodwill Games…Grand Prix…World Championships. 1991 – Pan American Games.

Danielle Scott

Middle Blocker * 6-2 Baton Rouge, La. College: Long Beach State Joined Team: May 1994 Club: Brasilia Volei 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: At the age of 39, helped the U.S. capture the Olympic Games silver medal with a 7-1 record…Converted 10 of 14 attacks into points along with three blocks for 13 points in six sets at the Olympic Games…Charted seven points off the bench against China, including five kills on six attempts on Aug. 1…Finished 2012 season with a .388 hitting efficiency and 52.9 kill percent…Averaged 2.39 points, 0.91 blocks, 1.32 kills and 0.74 digs in 2012.

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - USA Volleyball Cup. 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver Medal). 2011 - FIVB World Cup (Silver). 2009 – Pan American Cup (Fourth)…FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G (Gold)…NORCECA Continental Championship (4th). 2008 – U.S. Olympic Team Exhibition for Volleyball versus Brazil…FIVB World Grand Prix (Fourth Place)…Olympic Games (Silver Medal).

2007 – Pan American Games (Bronze Medal)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Eighth Place)…NORCECA Championship (Silver Medal)…FIVB World Cup (Bronze Medal). 2006 – World Grand Prix (Seventh Place)…World Championships (Ninth Place). 2005 – Front Range Tour vs. Brazil…Montreux Volley Masters…

FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)…NORCECA Championships (Gold Medal)…World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2004 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver Medal)…World Grand Prix (Bronze Medal)…

Olympic Games. 2003 – Montreux Volley Masters…Russia Tournament…Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)…World Grand Prix (Bronze Medal)… NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal)…Texas Tour…World Cup (Bronze Medal).

2002 – Utah Tour vs. Italy…World Grand Prix (sixth place)…Italy Tour…

Courtesy of FIVB

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Played in three sets during USA Volleyball Cup versus Japan, registering three kills and three blocks for a 2.0 points per set average to go with three digs. 2012 – Started eight of 14 FIVB World Grand Prix matches in helping the team win its third straight gold medal in the event…

Averaged 2.50 points, 1.08 blocks and 1.35 kills per set at the World Grand Prix while producing a 50.7 kill percent and .362 hitting efficiency…Tallied seven five blocks as part of 13-point effort against China to clinch the World Grand Prix gold medal... At the age of 39, helped the U.S. capture the Olympic Games silver medal with a 7-1 record…Converted 10 of 14 attacks into points along with three blocks for 13 points in six sets at the Olympic Games…Charted seven points off the bench against China, including five kills on six attempts on Aug. 1…Finished 2012 season with a .388 hitting efficiency and 52.9 kill percent…

Averaged 2.39 points, 0.91 blocks, 1.32 kills and 0.74 digs in 2012. 2011 – After missing all of 2010 season to give birth to her first child, played 21 sets with two matches starts at the FIVB World Cup helping the U.S. to a silver medal and 2012 Olympic Games qualification…Scored nine points off the bench against No. 1 Brazil in the World Cup opener, including seven kills on 15 errorless attacks with two blocks…Converted 51.9 percent of attacks at World Cup with a .500 hitting efficiency (27-1-52)…Averaged 1.62 points at World Cup. 2009 – Played in 48 sets in limited action, compiling 2.23 points per set with 0.73 blocks per set and a 44.9 kill percent…Scored 59 points in seven matches (started six matches) at the Pan American Cup, including 22 blocks as part of a 1.00 average to earn the Best Blocker of the Tournament…Hit at a .342 efficiency at the Pan American Cup and converted 46.6 percent of attacks into kills…Started all three matches of the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G third-round competition in Orlando, averaging 2.29 points in seven sets played…

Helped U.S. qualify for the 2010 FIVB World Championship in the NORCECA Pool G event by converting eight of 11 attacks into kills…Averaged 1.68 points per set during NORCECA Continental Championship in five starts and 19 sets played…Totaled 11 points with a .444 hitting efficiency against Dominican Republic on Sept. 26. 2008 – Played and started 12 of 15 possible sets in threematch series versus Brazil June 11-14…Averaged 2.58 points per set, including 0.83 blocks and 0.25 aces per set…Attacked at a .400 efficiency (kills minus errors divided by attacks) with 18 kills on 35 swings versus Brazil…Over 46 sets at the FIVB World Grand Prix, averaged 3.13 points, 2.30 kills, 0.76 blocks and 0.07 aces per set…Converted 60.2 percent of her attacks into kills at World Grand Prix, including a .545 hitting efficiency, but did not qualify for the Best Spiker award in the Final Round due to minimum attempts…Scored 58 points in the World Grand Prix Final round, including 22 points versus Japan on July 10…

Ranked ninth in blocking during the Final Round…Compiled 85 points in eight Olympic Games matches helping Team USA to silver medal, its first medal since 1992…Averaged 2.83 points, 2.17 kills, 0.57 blocks and 0.10 aces per set while compiling a kill percent of 0.54 and kill efficiency of .438…Totaled 22 points in Olympic Games opener against Japan on Aug. 9…Added 19 points versus host China on Aug. 15, followed by a 17-point performance with 15 kills on 20 attacks against Italy in the quarterfinal round on Aug. 19. 2007 – Flag bearer for the U.S. delegation at the Pan American Games…Averaged 3.38 points and 1.00 digs per set at Pan American Games while attacking at a .342 clip…Started all 36 sets for Team USA at FIVB World Grand Prix, averaging 2.89 points, 2.11 kills and 0.69 blocks…Attacked at a .381 mark during the World Grand Prix on 155 swings…Averaged 3.31 points per set at the NORCECA Championship while attacking at a .453 percentage…Turned in 2.25 kills, 0.88 blocks and 0.19 aces per set at NORCECA Championship…Moved to outside hitter for the NORCECA gold medal match and provided 14 kills on 32 swings, three blocks and an ace…Started 35 of 41 possible sets at FIVB World Cup while averaging 3.14 points, 2.11 kills, 0.89 blocks and 0.14 aces per set…At the World Cup, ranked third in Best Blocker and 25th in Best Scorer…Provided a USA team-high .464

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attack percentage during the World Cup on 140 attacks…Reached doublefigure scoring in eight of 11 matches at the World Cup, including 17 points in a sweep of Korea…Credited with four or more blocks in 11 of the World Cup matches, including six versus Thailand on Nov. 10. 2006 – Averaged 2.64 points per set in nine World Grand Prix matches, despite starting just four matches…

Turned in five double-digit point performances in the Grand Prix, including 16 points in a three-set victory over Thailand on Sept. 1…Tallied 11 kills and four blocks for 15 points against China on Aug. 25…Compiled a .579 attack percentage for the World Grand Prix…Produced a .764 hitting percentage with 13 kills against Thailand on Sept. 1, followed by a .714 attack percentage with 10 kills on 14 swings against Russia on Sept. 3…Averaged 2.91 points, 2.31 kills, 0.51 blocks and 0.09 aces per set during 35 sets of action at the World Championships…Attacked at a .417 percentage during the World Championships.

Produced 17 points against Netherlands on Nov. 1 and 16 points versus Turkey on Nov. 16 in the ninth-place match. 2005 – Danielle played a key role as the USA Women captured the silver medal at the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in Japan in November…The United States finished the tournament with a record of 4-1 as it earned wins over Korea, 2004 Olympic gold medalist China, Poland and Japan along the way…She finished second among all players in total blocks (17) and blocks per set (1.06)…Danielle scored a match-high-tying 21 points as Team USA upset Cuba in five sets to win its thirdstraight NORCECA Championship gold medal on Sept. 11…Blasted 15 kills with four blocks and two aces as the Americans finished the tournament with a record of 5-1…Played professionally for Pallavolo Chieri in Italy. 2004 – Made

Courtesy of Newsport

her third-straight Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece, as the USA Women finished tied for fifth overall after losing to Brazil in the tournament quarterfinals…

Finished tied for first on the team in total blocks in Athens with 15 and tied for seventh among all players. 2003 – Helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2003 World Cup and a berth in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece…Finished first on the team and eighth among all players with 152 total points in 11 matches (110 kills, 40 blocks, 2 aces) as the United States went 8-3…On the season Scott played in 128 of a possible 163 sets and finished first on the team in blocks (89) and hitting percentage (.486)…Ranked second on the squad in total points (433) and points per set (3.38), third in total kills (326) and tied for fifth in service aces (18)…Named to the USA Volleyball 75th Anniversary Women’s 1978-2003 All-Era Team in May…Played professionally for Pallavolo Chieri in Italy. 2002 – Won a silver medal at the 2002 Women’s Volleyball World Championships…Started all 11 matches at the World Championships and averaged 10.6 points per match…Captured Best Blocker honors at the World Championships after leading all players with 38 total stuffs…Played professionally for the Pioneer Red Wings in Japan’s V-League…

Earned the league’s Best Blocker honor for the past season. 2001 – Named Most Valuable Player of the World Grand Prix after earning Best Scorer and Best Blocker awards…Played professionally for A.D.C. BCN in Brazil. 2000 – Finished the season as the team leader in kills (423), blocks (140) and hitting percentage (.347)…Earned the MVP honor at the NIKE Americas’ Volleyball Challenge after posting 36 kills, 17 digs, 15 blocks and a .359 hitting percentage in 12 games played...Sparked the team to an Olympic berth with nine stuff blocks in the championship match against Canada...Led the team in kills (60) and blocks (15) at the BCV Volley Masters...Posted a career-high 10 blocks versus Brazil...Led the team with 18 kills and eight blocks in a four-set upset of Brazil...Led the team in kills (133), blocks (37) and hitting percentage (.332) at the Grand Prix…

Led the team and the Olympic Games in blocking with 33 stuffs…Added 101 kills, 32 digs, five aces and a .343 hitting percentage. 1999 – Led the team in total kills (92) and blocks (17) en route to a bronze medal at the Pan American Games…Posted a season high 24 kills on the Brazil Tour…Helped the team qualify for the World Cup with 46 kills and 13 blocks at the NORCECA Championship ... Her 39 blocks ranked among the top five at the World Cup ...

Also posted 97 kills and seven aces. 1996 – Earned the starting middle blocker position in the final two Olympic Games matches, leading the team in kills versus Germany for seventh place. 1995 – Helped Team USA claim the World Grand Prix title with victories over Cuba, Brazil and China. Saw extensive playing time off the bench. 1994 – Joined the team on a full-time basis in the summer of 1994, earning a spot on the roster for the Goodwill Games, Grand Prix and World Championships…Paced the team with 22 kills in a victory over Germany. 1991 – Member of Pan American Games.

PERSONAL: Danielle Scott was born Oct. 1, 1972 to Charles Young and Vera Scott…Married to Eduardo Arruda (pronounced Ah-who-da)...Gave birth to daughter Julianne Arruda on April 17, 2010...She has one brother (Charles) and one sister (Stefanie)…Lists her mother and father as the people she admires most because they are “awesome role models”…Earned All-Big West honors in basketball at Long Beach State…Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in libero studies/sociology from Long Beach State University in 1994…Lists “The Color Purple” as her favorite movie and the Los Angeles Lakers as her favorite sports teams... Began playing youth volleyball for Louisiana Juniors (Baton Rouge, La.) in 1988…Speaks fluent Portuguese and knows some Italian...Teammates call her Dani, D or Dan.

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Courtney Thompson

Setter * 5-8 Kent, Wash.

College: Washington Joined Team: June 2007 Last Club: Budowliani Todz MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2013 - USA Volleyball Cup...

FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round. 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 2011 – Pan American Games (Bronze).

2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)…Pan American Cup (Bronze).

2009 – Pan American Cup (Fourth); FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G (Gold)…FIVB World Grand Prix (9th).

2007 – Pan American Cup (Fourth Place), Pan American Games (Bronze Medal), World Grand Prix (Eighth Place).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 – Played in eights sets as a reserve in the USA Volleyball Cup, registering 17 assists and four digs…Played in 11 sets during the second weekend of the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round, compiling 41 running sets and four points. 2012 – Averaged 3.85 running sets with 26 sets played and two starts in the FIVB World Grand Prix in which the U.S. won its third straight title…Earned wins in a starting role against Argentina in the preliminary round and Thailand in the Final Round…Sparked Team USA in final match against China in World Grand Prix, rallying the team from a 17-13 deficit…Played in 17 sets with one start at the Olympic Games helping Team USA to the silver medal…Started in three-set quarterfinal win over Dominican Republic, compiling 34 running sets, one ace and one block as the Americans attacked a .396 hitting efficiency (44-6-96)...Totaled 60 running sets overall with a 3.53 set average…Concluded 2012 with 55 sets played and three match starts, totaling five aces and two blocks. 2011 – Helped U.S. Women to the bronze medal at the Pan American Games, including a four-set victory over Dominican Republic in the bronze medal match in which she set 41 assists…Scored three aces in victory over Mexico.

2010 – Played in 14 sets during the Montreux Volley Masters event helping the U.S. secure the silver medal…Used primarily as a double-sub during the Montreux event, but also sparked the U.S. off the bench in rallying the team to a four-set win over Germany on June 9 with two aces and a block…Provided 96 running sets on a total of 214 set attempts at Montreux producing a 45 kill percent on set attempts…Averaged 1.14 digs per set during Montreux…Played in 13 sets of the Pan American Cup as the setter in the double-switch…Contributed 26 running sets in limited action at the Pan American Cup…Served USA to a 14-0 lead in the third set against Costa Rica on June 21, which included two aces.

2009 – Split time at setter at the Pan American Cup, coming off the bench in 17 sets to contribute 2.47 assists per set…Added five points (2 aces, 3 blocks) in the Pan American Cup…Started two of three matches at the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G and led the U.S. to the gold and qualification into the 2010 FIVB World Championship…Named Best Setter and Best Server at the qualifying event, averaging 5.17 assists and 1.33 aces per set…Averaged 1.50 points per set at the qualifying tournament…Turned in four aces in key match against Costa Rica on July 8 to clinch World Championship berth…Started final seven matches of the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary weekends, competing in 34 of 36 sets…Averaged 5.82 assists, 1.26 digs and 0.41 points during the World Grand Prix…Came off the bench to lead USA to five-set comeback against Puerto Rico on Aug.

1 with 18 assists, 15 digs and five points (3 aces, 2 blocks)…Tallied at least 30 assists in three matches, including 35 assists in a three-set victory over Puerto Rico on Aug. 15. 2007 – Played in 15 sets during Pan American Cup, including one set start against Brazil on June 28…

Played in all five match of the Pan American Games, including starts in the final three contests…Tallied 81 assists in 13 sets during the Pan American Games, in addition to four aces and four blocks…Averaged 2.69 digs per set on defense at Pan American Games…Recorded 29 assists, three aces and two blocks in bronze medal match against Peru on July 19…Played in 10 sets of the World Grand Prix, mostly as a situational substitution late in sets…Provided eight assists for the U.S. at the World Grand Prix.

PERSONAL: Born Courtney Lynn Thompson on Nov. 4, 1984, in Bellevue, Wash.…Parents are Steve and Linda Thompson…Has two older brothers Craig and Trevor…Brother Trevor played baseball at the United States Naval Academy for four years and was captain of the squad in 2005…Hobbies include hiking, board games, reading and playing the guitar…Attended University of Washington from 2003 to 2006 majoring in business administration...Lists her brothers as most admired persons because they are the most amazing people…Favorite professional team is Seattle Mariners…Favorite musical group is U2 and favorite book is “Tuesdays with Morrie”…Favorite movies are Braveheart, Notting Hill, The Little Mermaid…Favorite moment in sports was winning the NCAA Division I national title in 2005 while playing for University of Washington…Earned valedictorian honors at Kentlake High School in Kent, Wash.…She led her high school to three state championships, earning 2002 Washington State Player of the Year honors as well as all-state in basketball as a senior.

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Courtesy FIVB

Volleyball Glossary Pancake - a one-handed floor defensive technique where the hand is extended and slid along the floor, palm down, and the ball rebounds off the back of the hand, rather than the floor.

Ace - a served ball that directly results in a point.

Bagel - winning a game 25-0.

Pass - the first of three contacts on the offensive side - overhead or forearm.

Block - an attempt by a player or players to interrupt the ball before, as or just after it crosses the net.

Bump (Pass) - technique of playing the ball using forearms, hands together, to direct the ball.

Perimeter Defense - backrow defenders work in the area a meter in from the backline and sidelines up to the three-meter line.

Bump (Set) - a forearm pass used as a set.

Pipe - a ball set in the middle of the court, on the three-meter line, for a backrow player to hit.

Carry - a fault called if the ball comes to rest in the course of contact by one player.

Quick - the first of the three attack options. The attacker contacts the ball immediately after it is released from the setter’s hands.

Chickenwing - a last-ditch way to dig a ball using your elbow and a bent arm.

Red card - a severe sanction given by the up-referee.

Court - the playing surface divided into two equal areas by a net. In its official form, volleyball is played on a rectangular court 18 meters (59 feet 0.75 inches) long and 9 meters (29 feet 6.475 inches) wide; the women’s net placed at 2.24 meters (7 feet 4.125 inches) high and the men’s net at 2.44 meters (8 feet) high.

Roof - to block a spike, usually straight down and for a point.

Coverage - most often, refers to backing up a teammate’s hit when the block is up and the ball comes back.

Seams - the space between the blockers and between back-court defenders.

Cross Court/Cut Shot - an offensive hit when a player, instead of hitting with power, slices the ball just over and nearly parallel to the net.

Dig Lips - defending more than once and successfully an opponent’s hard spike as if the attacker was saying beforehand where the hit was going and you read their lips.

Dig - to pass a very hard hit spike; a ball brought up (saved) with any part of the body, particularly from a spike attempt.

Dink - a very softly-hit spike; ball played just over the net or the blockers hands.

Down-Referee - secondary referee. He/she stands on the floor at the opposite end of the net as the up-referee. Also known as the second official.

Dump - when the setter, instead of setting the hitters, attacks the ball over the net.

Facial Disgracial - a spike that hits the opposing blocker or floor defender in the face.

Foot fault - stepping on the court or out of bounds before serving the ball.

Free Ball - a ball the opponent cannot attack and must yield by passing over the net.

Husband and Wife - when a serve drops untouched between two receivers who fail to move.

Joust - when two players on opposing sides attempt to block the ball by vying to push it onto each other’s side of the net.

Kill - an attack that results in an immediate point.

Paint Brush - a wipe off shot by the spiker (painter) on a blocker.

Screening - an attempt by a player to conceal the start of a teammate’s serve by obstructing an opponent’s line of sight. Screening is illegal.

Set – the act of getting the ball into the position for the hitters to attack the ball.

Usually done overhead with two hands.

Setter – the team quarterback. Attempts to “set” every second contact for his/ her hitters to attack.

Serve - the act of putting the ball into play.

Shank - to pass the ball badly.

Six Pack - another term for getting a spiked ball in the face on defense. A “Twelve Pack” actually knocks down the defender. In the past the defender was then obligated to buy the spiker a six pack of his/her desired beverage (roots are found in doubles sand play).

Sizzle the Pits - a spike that goes under, and past, the armpits of a big block.

Slide - a movement from an attacker’s serve receive position past another into a third; usually the ball is hit while “sliding out” towards the sideline.

Spiked Ball - a ball hit forcibly from a height not less than the top of the net. Also known as a bury, crush, hammer, kill, put-away or slam.

Stuff - a block in which the ball goes straight down to the floor with no hope of being picked up by an opposing player.

Tool - when a ball is intentionally spiked off a blocker’s hands to make it go out of bounds.

Touch - when the ball lands out of bounds, but not before contacting one of the players.

Up-referee - the main referee. He/she stands upon a special chair. Also known as the first referee.

Yellow card - a first sanction given by the up-referee, cost the sanctioned team a point.

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“This program has such a history of high performance and accomplished so much, including three Olympic Games silver medals … yet is has never won a Triple Crown Event: a World Championships, a World Cup or an Olympics,” Kiraly said. “At some point, the USA Women will change that, and I yearn to help in that effort.”

Karch Kiraly

Head Coach (September 2012-present) Home: San Clemente, Calif.

Karch Kiraly, a legendary volleyball player in the indoor and beach disciplines who turned to coaching as an assistant for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team that earned the silver medal at the recent 2012 Olympic Games, was named the program’s head coach for the next Olympic Games quadrennial culminating at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Games, as announced by USA Volleyball Chief Executive Officer Doug Beal on Sept. 11, 2012.

In his first season as head coach, the U.S. Women compiled a 25-6 record, gold medals at the Pan American Cup and NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship and a silver medal at the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in which only one Olympian suited during the tournament. During the season, the U.S. held 13-6 record against teams ranked among the top 10 with one win over Brazil, six wins over No. 3 Japan, two wins over No. 6 Russia, three wins over No. 8 Dominican Republic and a win over No. 9 Serbia. Top-ranked Brazil handed the U.S. three of its six losses, while No. 4 Italy, No. 5 China and Serbia all held single victories in 2013.

The U.S. Women had 22 different players compete in at least three sets during 2013, but youthful core group of 10 players competed in at least 50 percent of the sets. The team, currently ranked second in the world, compiled 1,531 kills in 2013 with 84.3 percent (1,291) coming from athletes who had not competed in the Olympics.

“I have revered representing the USA and wearing the Red, White and Blue ever since my first experience with the Junior National Team at 16 years old,” said Kiraly upon accepting the head coach position in September of 2012. “It is a tremendous honor to be asked to lead such a powerful volleyball program, and I am thrilled to be able to carry forward the effort expended by this hard-working and talented group of athletes – an effort led by my mentor and friend, previous (U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team) Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon, and his staff.”

“It is hard for me to define how excited I am that Karch has agreed to become our next U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team coach,” Beal said. “I have often heard him compared to Michael Jordan as a dominant performer and personality. It is extremely rare that someone who was so talented and successful on the court can successfully make the transition to that same level in the coaching world. Karch is unique and USA Volleyball is fortunate and lucky to have him to continue the leadership of our National Team program.”

Kiraly joined the coaching staff in 2009 under the direction of McCutcheon, who has assumed the head women’s volleyball coach position at the University of Minnesota.

In his first international coaching experience in indoor volleyball, Kiraly helped the program to a 106-39 record over the past Olympic quadrennial. He played a key role in helping the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team capture its second consecutive Olympic Games silver medal at the 2012 London Games. The Americans finished with a 7-1 record with only a loss to Brazil in the title match.

“I am confident Karch will represent USA Volleyball, USA and our sport in the most positive way possible and help us elevate the sport and the USA Women’s Team to levels we have not seen,” Beal said. “It is pretty hard to follow the success of our past two Olympics, but no one is in a better situation to do so than Karch. I have worked with Karch at many levels, and I am never ceased to be amazed by his abilities, his accomplishments and his drive. Part of my excitement is anticipating what he can do for our USA Women’s Team.”

Earlier in 2012, the U.S. captured the FIVB World Grand Prix gold medal for the third consecutive year. Team USA was 14-0 in the 2012 edition, including victories over Olympic Games bound Brazil twice (No. 2 in the world), Italy (No. 4), China (No. 5), Turkey (No. 7), Dominican Republic (No. 8) and Serbia (No. 9). The U.S. ended the 2012 campaign with a 30-2 record following the Olympic Games.

“I spent much of the last quad focusing on the task at hand, trying to be the best team we could be, especially in London,” Kiraly said. “But as Hugh’s departure drew near, I became thoroughly convinced and excited about carrying this work forward.”

The U.S. finished the 2011 season with a 39-10 record. Among the team’s highlights were picking up the silver medal at the FIVB World Cup, their second consecutive FIVB World Grand Prix title, capturing the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship and winning the bronze medal at the Pan American Cup. Team USA knocked off Brazil twice in 2011, along with three wins over World Cup champion Italy and two wins over China (seven wins over 2012 Olympic Games qualified teams). Overall, the U.S. scored an 11-match victory improvement over 2010 and a 21-victory improvement from two years ago.

Kiraly has been recognized by many as the greatest volleyball player ever. He is the only volleyball player –male or female – to win Olympic Games gold medals in both the indoor and beach volleyball disciplines. Further, Kiraly is the first volleyball player – and one of only two ever – to win three gold medals in the sport. Accordingly, his coaching foundation is built around many of the mentors he had during his playing days and his recent coaching tenure.

“My foundational principles were established decades ago, having had the opportunity to play for and work with many of the best coaches in the history of this sport: the short list includes Rick Olmstead, Al Scates, Doug Beal, Bill Neville, Marv Dunphy and more recently Hugh McCutcheon,” Kiraly said. “I lived my athletic career with these principles as my guide, and continue to adhere to them as a volleyball teacher and coach. They are: Mastery of Fundamentals, Relentless Preparation, Elevating the Play of Those Around Us, and Ferocious Competition.”

“We have had some of the most remarkable coaches in the world leading our two National Teams,” Beal said. “I am confident Karch will continue that tradition, legacy and level of success. His passion for the sport, his work ethic, his leadership and competitiveness is almost unmatchable. What is perhaps his most unique

“I’m attracted to coach the USA Women’s Team for many reasons: first, we have a group of athletes dedicated to fierce effort, to improvement and to redefining what’s possible on a volleyball court,” Kiraly said. “Another appeal is the daily process of a group of people - athletes and staff - striving to be one team, and to being the best team we can be, with the hope that our best might be THE best. A third draw is the strong trajectory the program is already on, with consistent success and numerous podium finishes the last 5 years.”

Kiraly looks to move the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to an even higher plateau than it already has achieved.

Copyright USA Volleyball

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American’s jersey and inducted him into the UCLA Hall of Fame. Kiraly led the Bruins to a 124-5 record from 1979-82, including three NCAA titles and a runner-up finish.

In 2009, Kiraly was inducted into the California Sports Hall of Fame and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America® Hall of Fame.

Copyright USAV/Eric Francis

Kiraly’s introduction to the sport occurred at the age of six. He earned his A and AA rating on the beach at the age of 15 and his AAA rating at 17. After leading Santa Barbara (Calif.) High School to the Southern California Championship title in 1978, Kiraly participated on the U.S. Junior National Team in 1977, 1978 and 1979 leading into his collegiate career at UCLA. Kiraly and his wife Janna have two sons, Kristian and Kory.

Karch Kiraly’s Indoor Accomplishments 1988 Olympics (Gold) - Team captain - Team MVP - 137 kills, 16 block stuffs, 15 block assists, 60 percent kill percentage

ability is being able to relate to each individual member of the team and transfer his knowledge, insight and his support making each of them better and the team stronger.”

As a player, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) named Kiraly as the greatest men’s volleyball player of the sport’s first century, citing his performance and courage in leading the U.S. Men’s Team to an unprecedented string of championships including the famed “Triple Crown of Volleyball” consisting of gold medals at the 1984 Olympic Games, the 1985 FIVB World Cup and the 1986 FIVB World Championship. Kiraly also captained the U.S. Men’s Team to their second consecutive gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. The FIVB also named him “Best Player in the World in 1986 and 1988.

After his two Olympic Games gold-medal performances, Kiraly went on to play professional volleyball in the Italian League from 1990 to 1992. He won the World Club Championship with his team Il Messaggero in 1991 and was named the most valuable player. His team also won the Italian League championship in the 1990-91 season.

After years of dominating the game on the indoor courts, Kiraly returned to the sand and became equally dominant in beach volleyball. He and partner Kent Steffes captured the 1996 Olympic Games gold medal in beach volleyball as the sport made its Olympic debut in Atlanta.

Before retiring at the end of 2007, Kiraly had won 148 beach volleyball tournaments (144 domestic, 3 FIVB international events), more than any other player in history.

He won at least one tournament in 24 of his 27 seasons of playing beach volleyball, claiming titles with 13 different partners during his four-decade long career. Kiraly was named the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Most Valuable Player six times.

Kiraly still maintains influence on the beach and has been instrumental in its further growth across the United States. He has been active in spearheading the development of the U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball, which was created in partnership with USA Volleyball for the specific purpose of providing an opportunity for adult players to pursue a crowning achievement on a national stage for beach volleyball.

In partnership with the Elevation Group, Kiraly backed the creation of the Wide Open beach tour series, a festival and grassroots-based beach volleyball series that started in 2009.

Kiraly was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Domestically, Kiraly has been bestowed many honors for his volleyball skills. The United States Olympic Committee recognized him in 2008 with induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) inducted Kiraly into its 2005 Hall of Fame Class. In 1992, UCLA retired the All-

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1987 Pan American Games (Gold) 1986 World Championship (Gold) - All-tournament honors - Named “World’s Best Volleyball Player” by FIVB President Ruben Acosta 1985 World Cup (Gold) - MVP 1985 NORCECA (Gold) 1985 Appointed Team Captain of National Team 1984 Olympics (Gold) - Outside/swing hitter - Passer - Youngest player on team (23) - Played in all games (19), more than any other player - FIVB Sportsmanship Award - Connected on 74 of 158 spike attempts 1983 NORCECA (Gold) 1981 NORCECA (silver) 1979-1982 UCLA Setter/Hitter (6-2) 1982 NCAA Championship (1st) 1981 NCAA Championship (1st) 1980 NCAA Championship (2nd) 1979 NCAA Championship (1st) 124-5 in Matches during 4 years 1977-1979 U.S. Men’s Junior National Team 1979 World University Games - Starting setter 1979 Pacific Rim Tournament (1st) - MVP 1978 Pacific Rim Tournament (1st) 1977 Pacific Rim Tournament 1976-1978 Santa Barbara High School - 1978 State MVP (CIF) - Won 83 straight matches - Undefeated in senior season

Karch Kiraly’s Beach Accomplishments Gold Medal at the 1996 Olympic Games with Kent Steffes U.S. domestic tournaments: 1st (144 times) $3,114,998 FIVB international tournaments: 1st (3 times) $83,750 AVP Best Defensive Player 2002 AVP Best Offensive Player 1990, 1993, 1994 AVP Comeback Player of the Year 1997 AVP Miller Lite Cup Champion 1996 AVP Most Inspirational 1998 AVP Most Valuable Player 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998 AVP Outstanding Achievement 2004 AVP Special Achievement 2002 AVP Sportsman of the Year 1995, 1997, 1998 AVP Team of the Year 2004 (Mike Lambert)

“We both got our coaching start many years ago as graduate assistants under legendary coach Al Scates, and it’s where we learned the essential nature of hard work, preparation, teamwork and fierce competition,” Kiraly said. “We plan to push the limits of those values as this program strives to improve.”

Reed Sunahara Assistant Coach (2013-present)

Sunahara and Kiraly know each other from their collegiate playing days at UCLA. The pair won the NCAA national championship in 1982 as Sunahara was a freshman and Kiraly was a senior. Sunahara went on to compete for two additional Bruin NCAA title teams in 1983 and 1984.

Reed Sunahara agreed to serve as the assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, working together with head coach Karch Kiraly.

“I was fortunate to play with Karch and as we went our separate ways, I have admired his accomplishments from afar,” Sunahara said. “To reunite and work side-by-side with him will be amazing! The goal is to win the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics and we will do everything in our power to accomplish that goal.”

Sunahara helped the U.S. to a 25-6 record in 2013, including a 13-6 record against teams ranked in the 10 in the world. Team USA won the gold medal at the Pan American Cup and the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship, along with the silver medal at the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. The U.S. finished sixth in the FIVB World Grand Prix.

Sunahara helped Nike/Molten win the Men’s Open title at the 1987 and 1990 USA Volleyball National Championships, as well as competing professionally for Cisneros Isla Verdes in the Canary Islands, Spain, in 1988.

Sunahara is not a stranger to the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team program or the USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline. He led the U.S. Women to the 2012 Pan American Cup title last summer with a squad absent of any 2012 Olympians competing against the likes of Brazil and Dominican Republic with largely their Olympic roster. The Pan Am Cup gold medal qualified the Americans into the 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix where they will attempt to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive title of the premier annual event for international volleyball. Sunahara gained a familiarity with the FIVB World Grand Prix as he served as the U.S. Women’s team leader during the 2010 World Grand Prix edition.

Sunahara also mentored the 2012 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team that captured the NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship and qualify for the 2013 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ Youth World Championship.

Sunahara has also been active working with other national federations and NORCECA. Last year from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1, he served as a NORCECA instructor for men’s and women’s national team and youth programs for the Jamaica Volleyball Association. During this time period he served as an assistant coach/ consultant to the Jamaica Women’s National Team as it won the gold medal in the NORCECA First Round Women’s World Championship Qualification Tournament and advance to the second round.

Prior to his work with USA Volleyball last summer, Sunahara made a name for himself in the collegiate ranks. He compiled a 289-109 record at the University of Cincinnati from 2000 to 2011, reaching at least 20 wins in 11 of his 12 seasons and eight NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament berths. Sunahara led the Bearcats to three BIG EAST championships and three Conference USA championships. He was selected as the BIG EAST Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2011, along with Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2001 while at Cincinnati.

Sunahara served as an assistant coach at Cincinnati from 1997 to 1999. He was the head coach at the University of Toledo in 1995-1996 after holding the assistant coach role at Toledo from 1993-1994. Sunahara’s first venture into coaching was as the assistant men’s volleyball coach at his alma mater UCLA from 1990 to 1993.

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18-13 overall record and now has a 47-44 record in three seasons with the Lions.

LMU advanced to the 2012 NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.

“There is no greater honor than to represent your country as a member of a national team in preparation for an Olympic appearance,” said Dr. Bill S. Husak, LMU’s athletic director. “LMU and the women on the volleyball team have benefitted from Tom’s hard work and expertise. His addition to the USA staff is a sign of the great respect he has earned in the volleyball community to teach skills and coach the game at the highest level. We are all proud at LMU that Tom will be coaching the national team.”

Tom Black

Assistant Coach (2013-present)

Tom Black, the current head coach of the Loyola Marymount University women’s volleyball team, has accepted an assistant coach position with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team.

“The Olympic Games is our sport’s biggest stage, and I am truly honored and humbled to work alongside Karch and his staff throughout this quad,” Black said.

“Karch is an iconic figure in our sport, but over the past three years I have had the privilege of getting to know him well while working closely with him as a coach, and there is no better person to lead this program toward the 2016 Games. I am so excited to learn under Karch, as well as provide my best efforts for our program and these wonderful athletes in the USA gym.”

Black, who joins Kiraly and assistant coach Reed Sunahara on the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team coaching staff, will continue in his head coach role at LMU while serving on the Team USA staff for the first two years of the Olympic quadrennial before taking a sabbatical at LMU for the 2015 season.

“Tom is a talented coach who is dedicated to being the best he can be at his craft every day, just as we ask our USA athletes to do,” Kiraly said. “Serving as a consultant coach during the last quad, Tom has already made valuable contributions in the USA gym. I’ve enjoyed getting to know and work alongside him, and this program is blessed to have his service as it aspires to reach heights never attained before.”

“I want to thank LMU, in particular my athletic director Bill Husak and supervisor Dan Smith for allowing me to pursue this opportunity while remaining the head coach for a program and university I have grown to love,” Black said. “I am deeply committed to the success of both endeavors and very grateful for these opportunities.”

Including a 115-29 record at NCAA Division II UC San Diego, Black has accumulated a 162-73 record as a head coach in women’s collegiate volleyball. He was named the 2006 AVCA Pacific Region Coach of the Year after leading the Tritons to a 26-3 record.

Before arriving at UCSD, Black spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the men’s volleyball program at University of Southern California. Prior to his stint with the Trojans, he spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons as the men’s head coach at Pierce Junior College in Woodland Hills, Calif. He also was an assistant in 2003 with the Pierce women’s team. His men’s squads won the 2002 and 2003 California state junior college crowns, finishing 15-3 in 2002 and 17-2 in 2003.

On the club circuit, Black served four years as the co-director of the Santa Monica Beach Club team. He was the head coach of SMBC’s boys’ 18s team in 2003, 2004 and 2005 after serving as an assistant in 2002 with the 18s team that won the bronze medal at the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships. He also was the head coach of SMBC’s girls’ 17s team in 2005.

Black spent the last three summers as a consultant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team as the squad prepared for the 2012 London Games. As the consultant coach, Black primarily assisted in the training sessions at the USA National Teams Center in Anaheim, Calif.

As a player, Black was a four-year varsity letterman for the UCSD men’s volleyball program from 1993-96, setting numerous hitting records and earning All-MPSF honorable mention honors as a senior in 1996. He was Volleyball Magazine’s Small College Player of the Year in 1996, while also earning Small College All-America honors that same year.

Black finished his third season as Loyola Marymount’s head coach in 2012 with an

Black received his bachelor’s degree in political science from UCSD in 1996.

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In addition to his work with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team last year, Trinsey served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Loyola Marymount University women’s volleyball program during the fall season.

Joe Trinsey

Technical Coordinator 1st Year

Joe Trinsey was hired as the technical coordinator for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team in spring of 2013 and helped the program to a 25-6 record in his first.

Trinsey is responsible for match video analysis and statistics for the squad and implements the data into training session plans and match-time decisions.

He also plays a key role in creating technological advances to aid in training, scouting and overall team functionality. Trinsey also served as the second assistant coach during the 2013 FIVB Women’s U23 World Championship Team that was led by Karch Kiraly.

As a volunteer assistant with the program in 2012, Trinsey helped with practice set-up and player tutoring, statistical recording and analysis using DataVolley and other collection and analysis methods, and was responsible for the primary practice scouting and video coordination while working closely with volleyball legend Karch Kiraly.

After serving as an assistant coach with the Brandywine Volleyball Club from 2003-08, Trinsey was named head coach of the club in 2009. At the helm for the last three-plus years, he was responsible for helping to plan and execute training sessions for nine teams, ranging in age from U-10 to U-18. Serving as the head coach of the U-15 team in 2009-10, Trinsey saw his squad qualify for the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships (GJNC) in Reno, Nev. The native of Delaware followed with the second of three straight GJNC berths, this time guiding the U-17 team in 2010-11 to the tournament - the first time a team from Delaware had ever qualified for the GJNC at 17s or 18s.

After a stellar high school career, Trinsey embarked on a four-year collegiate career at Stevens Institute of Technology in 2005. There, Trinsey served an integral role in the Duck volleyball program, including earning AVCA Division III All-American First-Team honors as a senior in 2009.

After finishing college, Trinsey focused his energy on his camps and clinics program, in addition to his coaching career. The owner and director of Trinsey Training Camps, Trinsey started a unique once-weekly series of hitting and defensive camps in 2003. The camps have continued to grow over the years, with more than 100 participants currently enrolled in year-round sessions.

Trinsey graduated from Stevens Institute in 2009 with a degree in applied mathematics.

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a NCAA National Collegiate Volleyball Championship title. Wosmek also was an Approved Clinical Instructor for the athletic training students at Penn State.

Jill Wosmek

Athletic Trainer * Fifth Year Home: Silver Lake, Minn.

Jill Wosmek (Silver Lake, Minn.) has served as the full-time certified athletic trainer for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team since May 2009 as part of USA Volleyball’s sports medicine program. She has six years experience in the athletic training field in four collegiate athletic departments.

With USA Volleyball, Wosmek is in charge of evaluating and assessing injuries, design and implementation of treatment and rehabilitation plans, and providing injury prevention methods to the U.S. Women’s National Team players. As a traveling member of the staff, her daily duties include pre-practice treatments, lengthy core and dynamic warm-up with the team, monitor practice, rehabilitation, post-practice treatments, designing and implementing the weight training program and providing recovery treatments.

During her time with the USA Volleyball program, she was part of the 2012 Olympic Games silver medal won by the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team under then-head coach Hugh McCutcheon and recently finished her first season under head coach Karch Kiraly. The squad has compiled a 140-45 record in her five years with the program.

Wosmek worked two academic seasons (August 2007 to May 2009) as the athletic trainer for the Penn State University women’s and men’s volleyball teams. During her time, the Nittany Lion women’s volleyball team won two NCAA Division I titles and the men’s volleyball team won

Prior to Penn State, Wosmek served as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of South Carolina-Aiken where she worked with the school’s 13 athletic programs from August 2005 until June 2007. She was a graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota from 2003 to 2005 with primary athletic training coverage for the women’s rowing both tennis teams. Wosmek started in the athletic training field as an athletic training student while an undergraduate at Minnesota State University, Mankato between August 1999 to May 2003.

Wosmek was a three-sport athlete at Glencoe-Silver Lake High School participating in volleyball, basketball and softball. She continued her athletic experience by competing in four sports at the intramural level.

Wosmek, a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) since 2001, completed the NATA Board of Certification in June of 2003.

She graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a bachelor of science degree in athletic training, a CAAHEP accredited program, in 2003 with a minor in corporate and community fitness and wellness.

Wosmek earned her master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota in May of 2005. She successfully defended her master’s thesis Concepts Related to the Protonics Neuromuscular Repositioning System and Supporting Case Reports and had it published.

Wosmek was a Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Book Reviewer. She edited approximately 15 chapters for kinesiology books for the company between 2007 and 2008.

Wosmek has additional training in advanced manual therapy techniques, orthotic evaluation and design, biomechanical analysis, sport nutrition, sport psychology, and strength and conditioning.

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All-Time U.S. Women's Indoor Volleyball Olympians 1964 (Tokyo) 5th Place Patti Bright Jean Gaertner Lou Galloway Barbara Harwerth Linda Murphy Gail O’Rourke Nancy Owen Mary Jo Peppler Mary Perry Sharon Peterson Verneda Thomas Jane Ward Head Coach: Dr. W.P. Burroughs Manager: Ida Litschauer 1968 (Mexico City) 8th Place Patti Bright Kathryn Heck Fanny Hopeau Ninja Jorgensen Laurie Lewis Miki McFadden Marilyn McCreavy Nancy Owen Barbara Perry Mary Perry Sharon Peterson Jane Ward Head Coach: Harlan Cohen 1980 (Moscow) Did Not Compete (USA Boycott) Janet Baier Carolyn Becker Rita Crockett Patty Dowdell Laurie Flachmeier Debbie Green Flo Hyman Laurel Brassey Debbie Landreth Diane McCormick Terry Place Sue Woodstra Head Coach: Arie Selinger Assistant Coach: Toshi Yoshida Manager: Ruth Becker 1984 (Los Angeles) Silver Medal Jeanne Beauprey Carolyn Becker Linda Chisholm Rita Crockett Laurie Flachmeier Debbie Green Flo Hyman Rose Magers Kim Ruddins Julie Vollertsen Paula Weishoff Sue Woodstra Head Coach: Arie Selinger Assistant Coach: John Corbelli Assistant Coach: Marlon Sano

1988 (Seoul) 7th Place Deitre Collins Caren Kemner Laurel Kessel Tammy Liley Liz Masakayan Jayne McHugh Melissa McLinden Kim Oden Keba Phipps Kim Ruddins Angela Rock Liane Sato Head Coach: Terry Liskevych Assisant Coach: Debbie Landreth Brown Assistant Coach: Kent Miller 1992 (Barcelona) Bronze Medal Janet Cobbs Tara Cross-Battle Lori Endicott Caren Kemner Ruth Lawanson Tammy Liley Elaina Oden Kim Oden Liane Sato Paula Weishoff Teee Williams Yoko Zetterlund Head Coach: Terry Liskevych Assistant Coach: Greg Giovanazzi Assistant Coach: Kent Miller Technical Coordinator: David Sims Medical Consultant: Dan McDonough 1996 (Atlanta) 7th Place Tara Cross-Battle Lori Endicott Caren Kemner Kristin Klein Tammy Liley Bev Oden Elaina Oden Danielle Scott Paula Weishoff Teee Williams Elaine Youngs Yoko Zetterlund Head Coach: Terry Liskevych Assistant Coach: Aldis Berzins Assistant Coach: Jeanne Beauprey Reeves Technical Assistant: Dave Fleming

2000 (Sydney) 4th Place Robyn Ah Mow Heather Bown Tara Cross-Battle Mickisha Hurley Sarah Noriega Demetria Sance Danielle Scott Stacy Sykora Charlene Tagaloa Logan Tom Kerri Walsh Allison Weston Head Coach: Mick Haley Assistant Coach: Toshi Yoshida Assistant Coach: Jeri Estes Technical Coordinator: Monica Paul Trainer: Emery Hill, Jr. Team Doctor: Dr. David Weinstein Team Manager: Bob Gambardella

2008 (Beijing) Silver Medal Robyn Ah Mow-Santos Lindsey Berg Heather Bown Nicole Davis Kim Glass Tayyiba Haneef-Park Jennifer Joines Ogonna Nnamani Danielle Scott-Arruda Stacy Sykora Logan Tom Kim Willoughby Head Coach: “Jenny” Lang Ping Assistant Coach: Sue Woodstra Assistant Coach: Li Yong Assistant Coach: Tom Hogan Technical Coordinator: Diane French Trainer: Emery Hill, Jr. Team Leader: Joan Powell

2004 (Athens) 5th Place Robyn Ah Mow-Santos Elisabeth Bachman Lindsey Berg Heather Bown Tara Cross-Battle Tayyiba Haneef Nancy Metcalf Ogonna Nnamani Keba Phipps Danielle Scott Stacy Sykora Logan Tom Head Coach: Toshi Yoshida Assistant Coach: Kevin Hambly Assistant Coach: Tara Cross-Battle Technical Coordinator: Robyn Romansky Trainer: Emery Hill, Jr. Team Leader: Tom Pingel

2012 (London) Silver Foluke Akinradewo Lindsey Berg Nicole Davis Tayyiba Haneef-Park Christa Harmotto Megan Hodge Destinee Hooker Jordan Larson Tamari Miyashiro Danielle Scott-Arruda Courtney Thompson Logan Tom Head Coach: Hugh McCutcheon Assistant Coach: Karch Kiraly Assistant Coach: Paula Weishoff Assistant Coach/Technical Coordinator: Jamie Morrison Technical Coordinator: Giuseppe Vinci Consultant Coach: Marv Dunphy Athletic Trainer/Medical Support: Jill Wosmek Doctor: Dr. Willliam Stetson Team Manager: Ken Sullivan

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All-Time U.S. Women's Olympic Volleyball Teams

1964

1968

1980

1984

1988

1992

1996

2000

2004

2008

2012

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All-Time U.S. Olympic Women's Volleyball Results 1964 Olympics - Tokyo, Japan Finish: 5th

1988 Olympics - Seoul, South Korea Finish: 7th Place

Match Results Oct. 11: lost to Japan 15-1, 15-5, 15-2 Oct. 12: lost to Poland 15-3, 15-4, 15-10 Oct. 13: lost to Romania 15-9, 15-1, 15-2 Oct. 17: lost to Soviet Union 15-1, 15-8, 15-7 Oct. 21: def. South Korea 15-7, 15-13, 15-13 Final Record: 1-5 (3-12)

Match Results Sept. 20: lost to China 0-3 (9-15, 5-15, 7-15) Sept. 23: def. Brazil 14-16, 15-5, 15-13, 12-15, 15-7 Sept. 25: lost to Peru 15-12, 15-9, 4-15, 5-15, 15-9 Sept. 27: lost to East Germany 15-13, 15-11, 10-15, 15-8 Sept. 29: def. South Korea 15-4, 12-15, 13-15, 15-9, 15-8 Final Record: 2-3 (9-13)

Final Standings Gold: Japan (5-0) Silver: Soviet Union (4-1) Bronze: Poland (3-2) 4. Romania (2-3) 5. USA (1-4) 6. South Korea (0-5)

Final Standings Gold: Soviet Union Silver: Peru Bronze: China 4. Japan 5. East Germany 6. Brazil 7. USA 8. South Korea

1968 Olympics - Mexico City, Mexico Finish: 8th Match Results Oct. 13: lost to Japan 15-6, 15-2, 15-2 Oct. 14: lost to Czechoslovakia 15-7, 11-15, 15-9, 15-11 Oct. 16: lost to Poland 15-3, 15-1, 16-14 Oct. 17: lost to South Korea 15-9, 15-13, 13-15, 15-5 Oct. 21: lost to Soviet Union 15-1, 6-15, 15-4, 15-6 Oct. 23: lost to Peru 15-11, 15-0, 14-16, 15-12 Oct. 26: lost to Mexico 15-8, 15-7, 15-4 Final Record: 0-7 (4-21) Final Standings Gold: Soviet Union (7-0) Silver: Japan (6-1) Bronze: Poland (5-2) 4. Peru (3-4) 5. South Korea (3-4) 6. Czechoslovakia (3-4) 7. Mexico (1-6) 8. USA (0-7)

1984 Olympics - Los Angeles, California Finish: Silver Medal Match Results July 30: def. West Germany 17-15, 15-8, 15-10 Aug. 1: def. Brazil 12-15, 10-15, 15-5, 15-5, 15-12 Aug. 3: def. China 15-13, 7-15, 16-14, 15-12 Aug. 5: def. Peru 16-14, 15-9, 15-10 Aug. 7: lost to China 16-14, 15-3, 15-9 Final Record: 4-1 (12-6) Final Standings Gold: China Silver: USA Bronze: Japan 4. Peru 5. South Korea 6. West Germany 7. Brazil 8. Canada Pool A Standings USA (3-0) China (2-1) West Germany (1-2) Brazil (0-3)

1996 Olympics - Atlanta, Georgia Finish: 7th Place Match Results July 20: def. Ukraine 15-8, 15-5, 15-11 July 22: def. Netherlands 12-15, 15-10, 17-15, 15-7 July 24: lost to China 15-8, 15-2, 12-15, 15-12 July 26: def. Japan 15-11, 15-7, 15-12 July 28: def. Korea 10-15, 15-13, 15-9, 15-3 July 30: lost to Cuba 15-1, 15-10, 15-12 July 31: lost to Korea 15-12, 15-5, 15-11 Aug. 1: def. Germany 17-15, 15-6, 5-15, 15-6 Final Record: 5-3 (16-12) Final Standings Gold: Cuba Silver: China Bronze: Brazil 4. Russia 5. Netherlands 6. Korea 7. USA 8. Germany 9. Canada 9. Japan 11. Ukraine 11. Peru

Pool A Standings Soviet Union (2-1) Japan (2-1) South Korea (1-2) East Germany (1-2) Pool B Standings Peru (3-0) China (2-1) USA (1-2) Brazil (0-3)

1992 Olympics - Barcelona, Spain Finish: Bronze Medal Match Results July 29: lost to Japan 15-13, 11-15, 12-15, 15-8, 15-13 July 31: def. CIS 9-15, 17-15, 15-12, 4-15, 15-11 Aug. 2: def. Spain 15-4, 15-5, 15-10 Aug. 4: def. Netherlands 15-11, 11-15, 15-8, 15-7 Aug. 6: lost to Cuba 8-15, 9-15, 15-6, 15-5, 15-11 Aug. 7: def. Brazil 15-8, 15-6, 15-13 Final Record: 4-2 (16-9) Final Standings Gold: Cuba Silver: Commonwealth of Independent States - former Soviet Union Bronze: USA 4. Brazil 5. Japan 6. Netherlands 7. China 8. Spain Pool A Standings Commonwealth of Independent States - former Soviet Union (2-1) USA (2-1) Japan (2-1) Span (0-3) Pool B Standings Cuba (3-0) Brazil (2-1) Netherlands (1-2) China (0-3)

Pool B Standings Japan (3-0) Peru (2-1) South Korea (1-2) Canada (0-3)

Pool A Standings China (5-0) USA (4-1) Netherlands (3-2) Korea (2-3) Japan (1-4) Ukraine (0-5) Pool B Standings Brazil (5-0) Russia (4-1) Cuba (3-2) Germany (2-3) Canada (1-4) Peru (0-5)

2000 Olympics - Sydney, Australia Finish: 4th Place Match Results Sept. 16: def. China 19-25, 25-21, 25-12, 26-24 Sept. 18: def. Kenya 25-16, 25-6, 25-16 Sept. 20: def. Croatia 25-19, 25-18, 25-16 Sept. 22: def. Australia 25-11, 25-17, 25-10 Sept. 24: lost to Brazil 25-17, 20-25, 25-15, 25-15 Sept. 26: def. Korea 26-24, 17-25, 25-23, 25-27, 16-14 Sept. 28: lost to Russia 25-15, 23-25, 25-15, 26-28, 15-8 Sept. 30: lost to Brazil 25-18, 25-22, 25-21 Final Record: 5-3 (18-12) Final Standings Gold: Cuba Silver: Russia Bronze: Brazil 4. USA 5. China 6. Germany 7. Croatia 8. Korea 9. Australia 9. Italy 11. Peru 11. Kenya Pool A Standings Brazil (5-0) USA (4-1) Croatia (3-2) China (2-3) Australia (1-4) Kenya (0-5)

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Pool B Standings Russia (5-0) Cuba (4-1) Korea (3-2) Germany (2-3) Italy (1-4) Peru (0-5)

All-Time U.S. Olympic Women's Volleyball Results 2004 Olympics - Athens, Greece Finish: 5th Place

2008 Olympics - Beijing, China Finish: Silver Medal

2012 Olympics - London, England Finish: Silver Medal

Match Results Aug. 14: lost to China 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18 Aug. 16: def. Germany 25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25 Aug. 18: lost to Dominican Republic 26-24, 22-25, 27-25, 23-25, 19-17 Aug. 20: lost to Russia 20-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11 Aug. 22: def. Cuba 25-22, 25-12, 25-19 Aug. 24: lost to Brazil 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 25-27, 15-6 Final Record: 2-4 (13-13)

Match Results Aug. 9: def. Japan 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-21 Aug. 11: lost to Cuba 25-15, 26-24, 25-17 Aug. 13: def. Venezuela 25-17, 20-25, 25-14, 25-18 Aug. 15: def. China 23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 15-11 Aug. 17: def. Poland 18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, 15-13 Aug. 19: def. Italy 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 15-6 Aug. 21: def. Cuba 25-20, 25-16, 25-17 Aug. 23: lost to Brazil 25-15, 18-25, 25-13, 25-21 Final Record: 6-2 (19-14)

Match Results July 28: def. Korea 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21 July 30: def. Brazil 25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21 Aug. 1: def. China 26-24, 25-16, 31-29 Aug. 3: def. Serbia 25-17, 25-20, 25-16 Aug. 5: def. Turkey 27-25, 25-16, 25-19 Aug. 7: def. Dominican Republic 25-14, 25-21, 25-22 Aug. 9: def. Korea 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 Aug. 9: lost to Brazil 11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17 Final Record: 7-1 (19-5)

Final Standings Gold: China Silver: Russia Bronze: Cuba 4. Brazil 5. Japan 5. Korea 5. Italy 5. USA 9. Germany 9. Greece 11. Dominican Republic 11. Kenya

Final Standings Gold: Brazil Silver: USA Bronze: China 4. Cuba 5. Italy 5. Japan 5. Russia 5. Serbia 9. Kazakhstan 9. Poland 11. Algeria 11. Venezuela

Final Standings Gold: Brazil Silver: USA Bronze: Japan 4. Korea 5T. China 5T. Russia 5T. Dominican Republic 5T. Italy 9T. Great Britain 9T. Turkey 11T. Algeria 11T. Serbia

Pool A Standings Brazil (5-0) Italy (4-1) Korea (3-2) Japan (2-3) Greece (1-4) Kenya (0-5)

Pool A Standings Cuba (5-0) USA (4-1) China (3-2) Japan (2-3) Poland (1-4) Venezuela (0-5)

Pool A Standings Rusia (14 points, 5-0) Italy (13 points, 4-1) Japan (9 points, 3-2) Dominican Republic (6 points, 2-3) Great Britain (2 points, 1-4) Algeria (1 point, 0-5)

Pool B Standings China (5-0) Russia (3-2) Cuba (3-2) USA (2-3) Germany (2-3) Dominican Republic (1-4)

Pool B Standings Brazil (5-0) Italy (4-1) Russia (3-2) Serbia (2-3) Kazakhstan (1-4) Algeria (0-5)

Pool B Standings USA (15 points, 5-0) China (9 points, 3-2) Korea (8 points, 2-3) Brazil (7 points, 3-2) Turkey (6 points, 2-3) Serbia (0 points, 0-5)

2008 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team with silver medals.

Courtesy FIVB Courtesy FIVB

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U.S. Women's Volleyball Record vs. Opponents (1983-present)

Country

Overall

Rec ‘83* ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13

Algeria

2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0

Argentina

15-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 1-0

Australia

10-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-0 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Azerbaijan 0-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-2 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Bahamas Barbados Brazil

1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 6-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 40-62 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 2-1 5-1 0-0 2-1 1-1 1-0 3-2 0-1 4-6 1-2 0-0 0-1 3-3 1-6 1-1 1-2 1-5 0-2 2-3 0-3 1-2 1-4 0-4 1-5 2-2 4-1 1-3

Brazil JNT

2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Bulgaria

11-1 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 1-0

Cameroon

1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Canada

72-10 1-0 1-1 2-0 6-0 3-0 1-0 7-3 5-2 2-0 0-0 1-0 6-1 15-0 1-0 2-0 5-2 1-1 2-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 3-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0

China

36-86 6-1 3-11 0-0 0-1 1-6 0-2 1-1 0-7 3-6 2-6 0-5 0-6 4-0 2-5 0-1 0-4 0-2 2-3 1-2 0-3 0-4 2-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 2-0 0-0 3-0 2-2 2-0 0-1

Chinese Taipei 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 Croatia

3-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Costa Rica 13-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 3-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 Colombia Cuba Cuba ‘B’

1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 56-93 8-2 4-1 0-1 0-11 0-12 2-2 2-2 8-3 2-3 2-4 0-5 1-1 2-6 2-5 0-3 0-5 0-5 0-3 3-2 3-2 5-0 2-4 1-2 0-1 3-2 1-2 0-2 3-0 2-2 1-1 1-0 5-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Czech Rep. 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 Domin. Rep. 44-11 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 7-0 5-1 1-0 0-0 1-0 3-0 1-1 1-1 1-2 3-1 1-1 2-2 1-1 4-1 4-0 3-0 Egypt

4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

El Salvador 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 France

11-0 6-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Germany

61-15 12-0 5-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 8-3 0-0 1-1 1-0 0-0 1-0 4-2 2-0 3-0 4-1 3-1 0-0 3-0 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-2 3-1 2-1 2-0 0-0

Greece

1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Guatemala

3-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Haiti

2-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Hungary Italy Jamaica Japan

4-2 3-0 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 32-25 1-0 0-0 9-2 1-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 5-0 0-0 0-1 1-3 0-1 0-0 1-1 3-4 2-1 1-3 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-3 0-0 2-1 3-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 104-113 8-6 1-14 4-10 8-11 9-4 12-3 1-9 8-6 4-6 1-9 1-8 5-2 5-2 3-1 0-1 1-6 3-3 4-5 0-2 0-1 3-0 1-0 1-2 0-0 1-0 3-0 0-0 2-1 2-1 0-0 6-0

Kazakhstan 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 Kenya

7-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0

Korea

10-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-2 0-0 2-0 1-0 1-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 0-0

Maritius

1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Mexico

25-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 2-0 0-0 1-0

Netherlands 27-11 2-0 1-0 2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 5-1 2-0 0-2 2-0 1-0 3-1 0-1 0-0 0-0 1-2 0-0 2-0 2-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 Neth. Antilles 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Nicaragua 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 No. Korea

12-1 11-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Peru

28-5 0-0 3-0 0-0 1-2 0-1 0-2 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 6-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 4-0 0-0 0-0

Poland

13-4 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 1-2 1-0 2-0 3-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 1-0

Puerto Rico 30-2 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 4-0 2-0 1-0 0-1 3-1 2-0 2-0 1-0 1-0 Romania

6-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 5-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

#Russia

33-68 2-0 2-0 0-0 0-3 0-7 0-0 0-5 1-9 3-4 4-1 2-2 1-2 2-0 5-4 0-3 0-6 0-1 0-5 5-0 2-6 0-3 1-1 0-0 0-2 1-1 0-0 0-1 0-2 0-0 0-0 2-0

#Russia ‘B’ 1-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Serbia So. Korea Spain

6-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-1 2-0 1-1 23-24 1-0 1-3 0-4 4-1 2-0 4-2 0-0 0-2 1-1 0-2 0-2 2-1 3-1 2-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Switzerland 5-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-2 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 Thailand

16-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 3-0 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 3-0 0-0 2-0 1-0

Tunisia

1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Trinidad

7-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 0-0 1-0

Turkey

8-2 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-1 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0

Ukraine

3-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-2 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Venezuela

3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Virgin Is.

3-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Yugoslavia Total

1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 670-502 70-9 22-30 25-20 24-33 22-31 32-15 16-20 40-32 38-22 15-22 15-27 25-20 57-16 23-19 10-12 27-30 24-19 24-26 21-10 17-18 29-15 20-16 26-15 16-12 26-11 22-11 18-14 28-13 39-10 30-2 25-6 ‘83* ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13

Results Not Counted: 1983 - Pan American Games; 1994 - Tour Of Asia & Goodwill Games; 2006 - Poland or Azteca Cup Results w/training team and junior members competing # Includes Matches Played Vs. USSR, CIS and Russia.

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International Volleyball Fact Sheet Introduction: Volleyball has major international competitions every year and, at its highest level, is a physically demanding sport played by some of the world’s most elite athletes. Of course, volleyball is also a popular recreational activity enjoyed by more than 38 million persons in the United States (more than any team sport but basketball) and more than 800 million persons globally, making it the world’s most popular participant sport. This fact sheet is designed to provide more understanding about international volleyball and its major competitions, including the Olympic Games.

World Rankings: Following the decision of the FIVB Board of Administration, a new system of point attribution based on a new scale has been implemented for the FIVB World Ranking of Volleyball National Teams. The following competitions are now included:

International Governing Body: The international governing body for volleyball is the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The FIVB is the world’s largest sports federation, with more than 200 member nations. Under the direction of its president, Dr. Ruben Acosta of Mexico, the FIVB oversees the administration of volleyball throughout the world and is responsible for producing several major events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World League and World Grand Prix.

• Olympic Games included for four years - 25 percent reduction each year. Points are also granted for the qualification matches, to the best nonqualified teams.

National Governing Body: The national governing body (NGB) for volleyball in the United States is USA Volleyball, formerly known as the United States Volleyball Association. Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is responsible for the administration of all forms of volleyball in the United States, including producing the annual USA Open Volleyball Championships, Junior Olympic Championships and the USA Outdoor National Championships. As mandated by the 1978 Amateur Sports Act, USA Volleyball is responsible to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and the FIVB for training and nominating the teams which represent the United States in the Olympic Games and other important volleyball competitions worldwide.

Major Competitions: The four major events on the international volleyball calendar are the Olympic Games (men and women, indoor and beach), World Championships (men and women, indoor and beach), World Cup (men and women, indoor), World League (men, indoor) and World Grand Prix (women, indoor). All events are conducted quadrennially, with the exceptions of the annual World League/Grand Prix and the biennial Beach World Championships.

Senior World Championships included for four years - 25 percent • reduction each year. Points are also granted for the qualification matches, to the best non-qualified teams.

• year.

World Cup included for two years - 50 percent reduction the second

• Senior Continental Championships included for two years - 50 percent reduction the second year; points are also granted for the qualification matches to the best non-qualified teams.

• year.

Men’s World League / Women’s World Grand Prix included for one

Women (Points) - as of 10/7/2013 1. Brazil (320) 2. United States (305) 3. Japan (291) 4. Italy (252) 5. China (229) 6. Russia (195) 7. Serbia (153) 8. Dominican Republic (130) 9. Germany (126) 10. Republic of Korea (122) 11. Turkey (103) 12. Thailand (64) 13. Kenya (58) 14. Algeria (56) 15T. Poland (50) 15T. Peru (50) 17. Puertor Rico (46) 18. Netherlands (43) 18T. Argentina (43) 20. Canada (40) 21. Cuba (39) 22. Belgium (37) 23. Kazakhstan (36) 24. Croatia (34) 25. Czech Republic (33) 26. Cameroon (32) 27. Tunisia (30) 28. Mexico (29) 29T. Colombia (26) 29T. Costa Rica (26) 31T. Senegal (25) 31T. Trinidad & Tobago (25) 33T. Egypt (24) 33T. Venezuela (24) 35. Bulgaria (22) 36. Belarus (18) 37. Azerbaijan (17) 38T. Romania (16) 38T. Chile (16) 40T. Chinese Taipei (15) 40T. France (15)

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Men (Points) as of 10/7/2013 1. Brazil (345) 2. Russia (342) 3. Italy (286) 4. USA (183) 5. Poland (176) 6. Bulgaria (173) 7T. Cuba (171) 7T. Argentina (171) 9. Serbia (169) 10. Germany (120) 11. Canada (79) 12. Iran (68) 13. Tunisia (66) 14. Australia (64) 15. Egypt (63) 16. France (59) 17. Japan (51) 18. China (49) 19T. Cameroon (45) 19T. Puerto Rico (45) 21. Republic of Korea (44) 22T. Czech Republic (40) 22T. Mexico (40) 24. Colombia (33) 25. Spain (32) 26. Morocco (31) 27T. Algeria (26) 27T. Chile (26) 29. Dominican Republic (25) 30. Finland (24) 31T. Venezuela (23) 31T. Paraguay (23) 31T. Netherlands (23) 34T. India (20) 34T. Thailand (20) 36. Slovakia (19) 37. Belgium (18) 38T. Slovenia (16) 38T. Portugal (16) 38T. Romania (16) 41. Bahamas (15)

Olympic Games: Volleyball made its debut in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

Twelve teams in both the men’s and women’s draw earn the right to compete: Past Olympic Champions (Men) 1964: Soviet Union (USA, ninth) 1968: Soviet Union (USA, seventh) 1972: Japan, (USA, DNQ) 1976: Poland (USA, DNQ) 1980: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ) 1984: USA 1988: USA 1992: Brazil (USA, bronze) 1996: Netherlands (USA, ninth) 2000: Yugoslavia (USA, 11th) 2004: Brazil (USA, fourth) 2008: USA 2012: Russia (USA, fifth) Past Olympic Champions (Women) 1964: Japan (USA, fifth) 1968: Soviet Union (USA, eighth) 1972: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ) 1976: Japan (USA, DNQ) 1980: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1984: China (USA, silver) 1988: Soviet Union (USA, seventh) 1992: Cuba (USA, bronze) 1996: Cuba (USA, seventh) 2000: Cuba (USA, fourth) 2004: China (USA, fifth) 2008: Brazil (USA, silver) 2012: Brazil (USA, silver) World Championships: The World Championships are held every four years in the second year after the Olympics. The site, usually separate for the men’s and women’s competitions, is determined by the FIVB based on bids received from interested cities. The 24 berths for the men and women are gained in the following manner (2006 information is provided in parenthesis where available): Host country • • Defending World Champions FIVB determined the appropriate number of qualification spots for • each continent/zone based on performance at the 2002 World Championships and the number of teams registered for the 2006 World Championships. Each continent/zone played a World Championships Qualification Tournament in early 2002.

Past World Champions (Men) 1949: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1952: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1956: Czechoslovakia (USA, sixth) 1960: Soviet Union (USA, seventh) 1962: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1966: Czechoslovakia (USA, 11th) 1970: East Germany (USA, 18th) 1974: Not held 1978: Soviet Union (USA, 19th) 1982: Soviet Union (USA, 13th) 1986: USA 1990: Italy (USA, 13th) 1994: Italy (USA, third) 1998: Italy (USA, ninth) 2002: Brazil (USA, ninth) 2006: Brazil (USA, 10th) 2010: Brazil (USA, sixth)

Past World Champions (Women) 1952: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1956: Soviet Union (USA, ninth) 1960: Soviet Union (USA, sixth) 1962: Japan (USA, DNP) 1966: Japan (USA, second) 1970: Soviet Union (USA, 11th) 1974: Japan (USA, 12th) 1978: Cuba (USA, fifth) 1982: China (USA, third) 1986: China (USA, 10th) 1990: Soviet Union (USA, third) 1994: Cuba (USA, sixth) 1998: Cuba (USA, 13th) 2002: Italy (USA, second) 2006: Russia (USA, ninth) 2010: Russia (USA, fourth) World Cup: The World Cup is held every four years, in the year prior to the Olympic Games. Though originally held at various sites, it has been hosted

by Japan since 1977. Prior to 1991, the World Cup took place in the year immediately following the Olympics. The 12 berths in the World Cup for men and women are gained in the following manner: Host country (Japan- Men and Women) • • Defending World Cup champion Winners of the five zone championships • • The highest-placed team (of each zone) not qualified for the Olympic Games in accordance with the ranking of the zone championships.

Past World Cup Champions (Men) 1965: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1969: East Germany (USA, DNP) 1973: Soviet Union (USA, seventh) 1977: Soviet Union (USA, 10th) 1981: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ) 1985: USA 1989: Cuba (USA, fourth) 1991: Soviet Union (USA, third) 1995: Italy (USA, fourth) 1999: Russia (USA, fourth) 2003: Brazil (USA, fourth) 2007: Brazil (USA, fourth) 2011: Russia (USA, sixth) Past World Cup Champions (Women) 1973: Soviet Union (USA, sixth) 1977: Japan (USA, seventh) 1981: China (USA, fourth) 1985: China (USA, DNQ) 1989: Cuba (USA, DNQ) 1991: Cuba (USA, fourth) 1995: Cuba (USA, seventh) 1999: Cuba (USA, ninth) 2003: China (USA, third) 2007: Italy (USA, third) 2011: Italy (USA, second)

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Zone Championships: The volleyball world is divided into five international zones.The United States is in the NORCECA (North America Central America Caribbean) Zone, with championships held every other year at various sites. The other zones are Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The frequency of zone championships competition varies in each of the five sections. Any nation in a particular zone may participate in its zone championships whenever such a competition is conducted.

World League and World Grand Prix: The World League features the top 16 men’s volleyball teams in the world in competition for a total purse that has grown to $5.6 million since the inaugural season in 1990.

Teams are divided into three, four-team pools and each country playing the other teams in their pool four times (twice at home, twice on the road). The winner and runner-up in each pool advance to a seeded playoff round. The regular season is usually played in May and June with playoffs in early July.

Past NORCECA Champions (Men) 1969: Cuba (USA, third) 1971: Cuba (USA, second) 1973: USA 1975: Cuba (USA, third) 1977: Cuba (USA, fifth) 1979: Cuba (USA, fifth) 1981: Cuba (USA, second) 1983: USA 1985: USA 1987: Cuba (USA, second) 1989: Cuba (USA, third) 1991: Cuba (USA, second) 1993: Cuba (USA, second) 1995: Cuba (USA, second) 1997: Cuba (USA, second) 1999: USA 2001: Cuba (USA, second) 2003: USA 2005: USA 2007: USA 2009: Cuba (USA, second) 2011: Cuba (USA, second) 2013: USA

The World Grand Prix is the women’s counterpart to the World League, and offers a total purse of $1.69 million to its 16-team field. Teams play in different four-team pools each weekend, at round-robin tournaments hosted by cities throughout Asia. The three teams with the best records join the host country for the Grand Prix Finals. The regular season is played in August and early-September with playoffs in midSeptember.

Past NORCECA Champions (Women) 1969: Mexico (USA, bronze) 1971: Mexico (USA, DNP) 1973: Cuba (USA, third) 1975: Cuba (USA, second) 1977: Cuba (USA, third) 1979: Cuba (USA, second) 1981: USA 1983: USA 1985: Cuba (USA, second) 1987: Cuba (USA, second) 1989: Cuba (USA, third) 1991: Cuba (USA, second) 1993: Cuba (USA, second) 1995: Cuba (USA, second) 1997: Cuba (USA, second) 1999: Cuba (USA, second) 2001: USA 2003: USA 2005: USA 2007: Cuba (USA, second) 2009: Dominican Republic (USA, fourth) 2011: USA 2013: USA

World League Champions 1990: Italy (USA, fourth in pool) 1991: Italy (USA, third in pool) 1992: Italy (USA, first in pool, third overall) 1993: Brazil (USA, fifth in pool) 1994: Italy (USA, fourth in pool) 1995: Italy (USA, fourth in pool) 1996: Netherlands (USA, DNP) 1997: Italy (USA, DNP) 1998: Cuba (USA, DNP) 1999: Italy (USA, DNP) 2000: Italy (USA, first in pool, sixth overall) 2001: Brazil (USA, third in pool, tied-ninth overall) 2002: Russia (USA, DNP) 2003: Brazil (USA, DNP) 2004: Brazil (USA, DNP) 2005: Brazil (USA, DNP) 2006: Brazil (USA, third in pool) 2007: Brazil (USA, third in finals) 2008: USA 2009: Brazil (USA, sixth) 2010: Brazil (USA, eighth) 2011: Russia (USA, seventh) 2012: Poland (USA, silver) 2013: Russia (USA, 12th) World Grand Prix Champions 1993: Cuba (USA, seventh regular season) 1994: Brazil (USA, fifth regular season) 1995: USA 1996: Brazil (USA, fifth) 1997: Russia (USA, eighth) 1998: Brazil (USA, eighth) 1999: Russia (USA, DNP) 2000: Cuba (USA, sixth) 2001: USA 2002: Russia (USA, sixth) 2003: China (USA, third) 2004: Brazil (USA, third) 2005: Brazil (USA, eighth) 2006: Brazil (USA, seventh) 2007: Netherlands (USA, eighth final, seventh preliminary) 2008: Brazil (USA, fourth) 2009: Brazil (USA, ninth) 2010: USA 2011: USA 2012: USA 2013: Brazil (USA, sixth)

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USA Volleyball – 2013 Fact Sheet Name: USA Volleyball Location: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Founded: 1928 Membership: Approximately 300,000 Mission: USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for all disciplines of volleyball in the United States and is officially recognized by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). As mandated by the Amateur Sports Act, USA Volleyball is responsible for the growth of the sport in America at the grassroots and most elite levels. USA Volleyball is the parent organization of the USA National Teams.

Chief Executive Officer: Doug Beal Head Coach USA Women: Karch Kiraly (First Year) Head Coach USA Men: John Speraw (First Year) Major 2013 National Team Events: Senior Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup (June 10-16, Lima Peru) USA Volleyball Cup (July 10 at San Diego, July 12 at LBSU, July 13 at JSerra HS) FIVB World Grand Prix (Aug. 2-Sept. 1, Various Countries) NORCECA Continental Championship (Sept. 16-21, Omaha, Neb.) FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Nov. 12-17, Japan)

Senior Men’s Volleyball FIVB World League (June 7-July 21, various cities around the world) NORCECA Continental Championship (Sept. 21-29, Canada) FIVB Grand Champions Cup (Nov. 19-24, Japan)

Indoor High Performance and USAV Juniors (Youth and Junior) Indoor High Performance and USAV Juniors (Youth and Junior) FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship (June 21-30, Czech Republic) USAV Girls’ Junior National Championships (June 28-July 5, Dallas) FIVB Volleyball Boys U19 World Championship (June 27-July 7, Mexico) USAV Boys’ Junior National Championships (June 27-July 4, Reno, Nev.) USAV High Performance Championships (July 23-27, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) FIVB Volleyball Girls U18 World Championship (July 26-Aug. 4, Thailand) FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship (Aug. 22-Sept. 1, Turkey)

Beach FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour (various countries) NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour (various countries) FIVB Beach Volleyball Youth World Championships (July 11-14, Portugal) FIVB Beach Volleyball Junior World Championsihps (June 19-23, Croatia) FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship (July 1-7, Poland)

Other Events NCVF Collegiate Club Championships (April 4-6, Dallas) USAV Beach Collegiate Challenge (March 15-16, Chula Vista, Calif.)

USAV Beach Collegiate Challenge (April 20-21, Hermosa Beach, Calif.)

USA Volleyball Open National Championships (May 24-29, Louisville,Ky.) USA Beach Junior Tour (various locations) About USA Volleyball: Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is a Colorado incorporated non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) as the National Governing Body for the sport of Volleyball in the United States. USA Volleyball is responsible for both the Olympic disciplines of indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. USA Volleyball has over 300,000 registered members, 12,000 teams and 5,300 clubs nationwide. With an annual budget in excess of $20million dollars, USA Volleyball supports the USA men’s and women’s senior national team programs, youth and junior national teams, national championship events, coaching education and certification programs, grassroots development, and programs for the disabled and Paralympic Teams. USA Volleyball has a rich tradition of success as evidenced by winning an Olympic medal in every Olympic Games since 1984 and capturing numerous World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championship titles. USA Volleyball is committed to and works toward opportunity for all to participate. It is an advocate for all Americans endeavoring to assure universal access to opportunities at all levels of the game.

For more information please visit www.usavolleyball.org.

Other: USA Volleyball consists of 40 regional volleyball associations which manage grassroots playing opportunities for the USA Volleyball membership and is affiliated with 36 member organizations (i.e. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, YMCA) that provide playing opportunities at a variety of levels.

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