Team USA had a brillian VNL preliminary phase, finishing atop the standings with a 12-3 record. Now, it will head to the competition’s Final 6 with only one change to its previous roster, as outside hitter Madi Kingdon Rishel will replace Sarah Wilhite. That does not mean, though, that the team has seen consistent line-ups on the floor, as coach Karch Kiraly sported 12 different units during the preliminary round’s 15 matches. Here is what the coach had to say of Team USA’s depth, courtesy of Teamusa.org:
“Being able to play at a high level with so many different lineups speaks really well to the depth we are blessed with. We feel comfortable competing with any two middles, any of our three main outsides and either opposite, all hitting off Carli and passing with Kelsey, plus running the double sub with Micha and whichever opposite isn’t starting. We are extremely fortunate to be able to play so many different lineups, to conserve energy in a long five-week, 15-match series and to have chances to learn more about our personnel.”
Here is what the 14-Player Roster looks like:
1 – Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Penn State, Edmond, Oklahoma)
3 – Carli Lloyd (S, 5-11, California, Bonsall, California)
4 – Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Nebraska, Cypress, California)
5 – Rachael Adams (M, 6-2, Texas, Cincinnati, Ohio)
6 – Tori Dixon (M, 6-3, Minnesota, Burnsville, Minnesota)
8 – Lauren Gibbemeyer (M, 6-2, Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota)
9 – Madi Kingdon Rishel (OH, 6-1, Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona)
10 – Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Nebraska, Hooper, Nebraska)
11 – Annie Drews (OPP, 6-4, Purdue, Elkhart, Indiana)
12 – Kelly Murphy (OPP, 6-2, Florida, Wilmington, Illinois)
14 – Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (OH, 6-3, Illinois, Champaign, Illinois)
15 – Kim Hill (OH, 6-4, Pepperdine, Portland, Oregon)
16 – Foluke Akinradewo (M, 6-3, Stanford, Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
23 – Kelsey Robinson (L, 6-2, Nebraska, Manhattan Beach, California)
Team USA had a lot of its players stand out the VNL’s statistical leader-boards so far. Michelle finished the preliminary phase as the tournament’s 10th highest scorer with almost 13 points a game and its second most efficient hitter at a 48% success rate. She also did very well on serving, to the tune of 0.3 aces per set. Meanwhile, Hill and Robinson really turned heads with their efficient passing, as they finished their preliminary round participation as the competition’s 1st and 3rd ranked receivers, respectively. The latter was also highlighted as the competition’s 5th best digger. Finally, Lloyd proved once again she is one of the world’s best setter, as the finished her participation ranked second in setter rating and 6th in digging.
While Team USA had a very impressive 10-match win streak in the VNL, including wins over Final Six participants Brazil, China, and the Netherlands, it will face Turkey and Serbia next. Ironically, these are the only teams to defeat the Americans in the preliminary round.
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