COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 23, 2021) – The U.S. Girls U18 National Team dominated against Puerto Rico on Thursday, winning 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-9) at the FIVB World Championship in Durango, Mexico.
The U.S. team’s next opponent, Nigeria, had to forfeit its matches due to visa issues. The undefeated U.S. (4-0) won its pool and will compete again on Sunday in playoffs that determine the quarterfinalists (Saturday was already scheduled as a rest day).
OFFICIAL STATISTICS * TEAM STATISTICS
On Thursday, every player on the U.S. roster started at least one set except for team captain and middle blocker Bekka Allick, who did not play after starting the last three matches.
Middle Eloise Brandewie, who started all three sets, led all scorers with 13 points on a match-high seven blocks – half of the U.S. total of 14 – and six kills.
“One of my favorite things is blocking,” Brandewie told the FIVB. “It’s an adrenaline rush and I believe the match depends on that. I feel a fire in my heart and energy when I score on a block.
“We’re going after one goal, and that’s to win the tournament. Every match is taken in consideration no matter who it is.”
The U.S. finished with 39 kills and six aces.
Opposite Devin Kahahawai started the first two sets and scored 12 points on a match-high nine kills and three blocks. Outside Julia Blyashov subbed in the second set and started the third, scoring nine points on eight kills and one block.
Outside Harper Murray started the first two sets and scored six points on a match-high three aces and three kills. Outside Mckenna Wucherer started the first two sets and finished with five points on four kills and an ace. Outside Chloe Chicoine subbed in the first and second sets and started the third to score five points on four kills and one block.
Middle Maggie Mendelson started all three sets and finished with four points on two kills and two aces.
Opposite Caroline Jurevicius started the third set and scored three points on three kills. Setter Bergen Reilly started the second and third sets and scored two points with two blocks.
Reilly and starting setter Alexis Stucky combined to set the U.S. to a .578 hitting efficiency. Libero Laney Choboy was credited with 11 digs and six successful receptions.
2021 U.S. Girls U18 National Team
Name (Pos., Height, Hometown, Region, Club)
1 Laney Choboy (L, 5-3, Raleigh, N.C., Carolina, NC Volleyball Academy)
4 Chloe Chicoine (OH/L, 5-10, Lafayette, Ind., Hoosier, Circle City)
6 Bergen Reilly (S, 6-1, Sioux Falls, S.D., North Country, Kairos Elite Volleyball)
7 Mckenna Wucherer (OH, 6-1, Brookfield , Wis., Badger, Milwaukee Sting)
10 Caroline Jurevicius (OPP, 6-2, Gates Mills, Ohio, Ohio Valley, Academy Volleyball Cleveland)
13 Harper Murray (OH, 6-2, Ann Arbor, Mich., Lakeshore, Legacy Volleyball Club)
14 Alexis Stucky (S, 6-2, Laramie, Wyo., Rocky Mountain, Northern Colorado Juniors)
16 Devin Kahahawai (OH, 6-3, Kailua, Hawaii, Aloha, Spike and Serve)
18 Eloise Brandewie (MB, 6-3, Columbus, Ohio, Ohio Valley, Mintonette)
19 Julia Blyashov (OH, 6-3, San Diego, Calif., Southern California, Wave Volleyball Club)
21 Bekka Allick (MB, 6-4, Waverly, Neb., Great Plains, VC Nebraska)
24 Maggie Mendelson (MB, 6-5, North Ogden, Utah, Intermountain, Hive Volleyball)
Head Coach: Jamie Morrison
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman-Smith
Assistant Coach: Alisha Glass Childress
Technical Coordinator: Mike Gee
Team Leader: Meredith Lee
Athletic Trainer: Wyatt Blue
U.S. Schedule for the FIVB U18 World Championship
(All times PT)
Live streams available at youtube.com
Sept. 21: USA def Thailand, 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-23)
Sept. 22: USA def Romania, 3-1 (25-21, 25-11, 18-25, 25-16)
Sept. 23: USA def Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-9)
Sept. 24: USA def Nigeria, 3-0 (forfeit)
Sept. 25 Rest Day
Sept. 26-29 TBD