WNT to Play for Bronze at NORCECA Continental Championship

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 30, 2021) – The United States Women’s National Team will play for bronze at the 2021 NORCECA Continental Championship after falling 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-20) to the Dominican Republic in the semifinal round Monday.

“The Dominican Republic is a smart team with a lot of experienced players. Many of them just came from the Olympics,” head coach Joe Trinsey said. “That’s the level this group of USA players aspires to, and we learned some lessons tonight.”

Unofficial Bench Stats | Official Box Score | NORCECA Continental Championship Hub

In the bronze medal match, the U.S. will face Canada at 6:30 p.m. Eastern/3:30 Pacific on Tuesday, August 31. The Americans will play for their 24^th medal at the Continental Championship, more than any other country.

In the semifinals, they lined up against the defending champions and top-seeded team, the Dominican Republic. Seven D. R. athletes competed in the Olympic Games a few weeks ago, including six of Monday’s starters. The Dominicans unofficially led in points scored (55-39), positive reception percentage (77-58) and points percentage (50-32). Both teams tallied five blocks.

Opposite Roni Jones-Perry led the U.S. with eight points, while middle blocker Rachael Kramer added seven. Nine Americans scored at least once.

The bronze medal match will be a rematch of a pool A contest. USA won in five sets on August 27, topped by outside hitter Kara Bajema’s 14 points. Cuttino and outside hitter Lindsay Stalzer each added 12, and nine Americans scored at least twice.

“No time to feel sorry for ourselves, we need to regroup and focus on Canada,” Trinsey said. “We’ve already seen each other. Both teams will be well-scouted, so it’ll be all about execution, particularly serve-pass.”

The Dominican Republic will play Puerto Rico for gold Tuesday. Both medal matches will be broadcast live online.

NORCECA Continental Championship Roster

No. Name (Position, Height, Hometown)
1 Kara Bajema (OH, 6-3, Lynden, Wash.)
2 Tiffany Clark (L, 5-11, Naperville, Ill.)
3 Madeleine Gates (MB, 6-3, San Diego, Calif.)
4 Cori Crocker (MB, 6-3, Brighton, Mich.)
5 Jenna Gray (S, 6-1, Shawnee, Kan.)
6 Micaya White (OH, 6-1, Frisco, Texas)
7 Ashley Evans (S, 6-1, Liberty Township, Ohio)
9 Rachael Kramer (MB, 6-10, Phoenix, Ariz.)
10 Kendall White (L, 5-5, Zionsville, Ind.)
12 Lindsay Stalzer (OH, 6-1, Kewanee, Ill.)
14 Ali Bastianelli (MB, 6-3, Marysville, Mich.)
15 Roni Jones-Perry (OPP, 5-11, West Jordan, Utah)
16 Danielle Cuttino (OPP, 6-4, Indianapolis, Ind.)
18 Ali Frantti (OH, 6-3, Spring Grove, Ill.)

Head Coach: Joe Trinsey
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman
Assistant Coach: Cullen Irons
Physiotherapist: Misao Tanioka
Technical Coordinator: Michael Gee
Team Manager: John Xie

NORCECA Continental Championship Schedule

August 26: vs. Puerto Rico; L, 3-2 (21-25, 28-26, 25-19, 21-25, 15-9)
August 27: vs. Canada, W, 3-2 (25-17, 15-25, 19-25, 25-15, 15-8)
August 29: Quarterfinals vs. Costa Rica; W, 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-10)
August 30: Semifinals vs. Dominican Republic; L, 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-20)
August 31: Bronze Medal Match vs. Canada; 6:30 p.m. Eastern/3:30 Pacific