Block Party Leads Girls U19 Past Japan at 2023 Worlds

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 2, 2023) – The U.S. Girls U19 National Team used a suffocating block to move to 2-0 at the FIVB Girls U19 World Championship on Wednesday with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 26-24) victory over Japan in Osijek, Croatia.

The U.S. plays Mexico (0-2) at 6 a.m. PDT on Thursday.

MATCH STATS (PDF)

Middle blocker Ayden Ames recorded six blocks to lead the U.S. U19, which finished with a 13-4 advantage in blocks. Each team scored on 34 kills.

“Japan is a very good volleyball team. I thought it was an amazing team block and defensive effort tonight,” head coach Jamie Morrison said. “I continue to be impressed with our ability to learn within this tournament and am excited to see the team we become over the next week.”

Outside hitter Abby Vander Wal led the U.S. again with 14 points on 12 kills, one block, and one ace. Ames totaled 12 points, combining six kills with her six blocks. Middle blocker Anyanwu Favor finished with nine points on five kills, two blocks, and two aces.

Outside hitter Teraya Sigler scored eight points on six kills, one block, and one ace, while also contributing six digs and six successful receptions. Libero Olivia Mauch led the team with nine digs and added four successful receptions. Opposite Abigail Mullen and setter Campbell Flynn each totaled six digs.

The U.S. used a 6-0 advantage in blocks, four of them by Ames, to take the first set. Three blocks in a five-point span gave the U.S. an 11-7 lead. Japan scored four consecutive points to pull within one point, 16-15, but the U.S. responded with their own 4-0 run. Vander Wal recorded six kills in the opening set.

In the second set, the U.S. took command early by jumping out to a 10-4 lead. Japan closed within two points, 16-14, but a setter dump by Flynn stifled the rally.

The U.S. scored six of the first seven points in the third set, but Japan used a 10-4 run to take the lead, 11-10. The set went back and forth with the U.S. taking an 18-14 lead, but Japan fighting back and taking leads of 22-21 and 23-22. The U.S. evened the set, eventually scoring match point on yet another block.

There are 24 teams from around the world competing at the World Championship.

U.S. Girls U19 Roster for the 2023 FIVB World Championship

Name (Position, Height, Birth Year, Hometown, School, USAV Region)
2 Jaela Auguste (MB, 6-2, 2006, Spring, Texas, Grand Oaks HS, Lone Star)
3 Charlie Fuerbringer (S, 5-11, 2006, Hermosa Beach, Calif., Mira Costa HS, Southern California)
4 Ayden Ames (MB, 6-4, 2006, Prosper, Texas, Prosper HS, North Texas)
5 Favor Anyanwu (MB, 6-2, 2006, Rowlett, Texas, Sachse HS, North Texas)
6 Campbell Flynn (S, 6-3, 2006, Rochester Hills, Mich., Mercy HS, Lakeshore)
9 Ava Falduto (L, 5-7, 2006, Elmhurst, Ill., IC Catholic Prep, Great Lakes)
11 Becca Kelley (OH, 6-3, 2005, Rockwall, Texas, University of Oregon, North Texas)
12 Olivia Mauch (L, 5-6, 2005, Bennington, Neb., Bennington HS, Great Plains)
13C Emerson Sellman (OH, 6-4, 2005, Burtonsville, Md., The Academy of the Holy Cross, Chesapeake)
15 Abigail Mullen (Opp, 6-3, 2006, Kansas City, Mo., Liberty HS, Heart of America)
17 Teraya Sigler (OH, 6-2, 2006, Horizon HS, Scottsdale, Ariz., Arizona)
19 Abby Vander Wal (OH, 6-3, 2006, Elmhurst, Ill., Timothy Christian HS, Great Lakes)

Head Coach: Jamie Morrison
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman Smith
Assistant Coach: Maggie Eppright
Performance Analyst: Kyle Thompson
ATC: Chris Cornell
Team Lead: Jon Wong

Alternates
1 Lizzy Andrew (MB, 6-5, 2005, Ridgefield, Wash., Ridgefield HS, Columbia Empire)
7 Carly Gilk (OPP, 6-2, 2006, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Champlin Park HS, North Country)
8 Kaci Demaria (OH, 6-4, 2007, San Pedro, Calif., Palos Verdes HS, Southern California)
10 Noemie Glover (Opp, 6-2, 2005, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., University of Oregon, Southern California)
14 Skyler Pierce (OH, 6-2, 2005, Lenexa, Kan., Olathe Northwest HS, Heart of America)
16 Cari Spears (OH, 6-3, 2007, Dallas, Texas, Prestonwood Christian Academy, North Texas)
18 Izzy Starck (S, 6-1, 2006, Melbourne, Fla., Viera HS, Rocky Mountain)

U.S. Schedule for the 2023 FIVB Girls U19 World Championship
Matches will be shown on the Volleyball World YouTube channel
All times PDT
Aug. 1: USA def. Korea, 3-2 (25-21, 19-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-10)
Aug. 2: at 6 a.m. USA def. Japan, 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 26-24)
Aug. 3: at 6 a.m. USA vs Mexico
Aug. 5: at 12 p.m. USA vs Poland
Aug. 6: at 8 a.m. USA vs Serbia
Aug. 7: Round of 16 and classification matches
Aug. 9: Quarterfinals and classification matches
Aug. 10: Semifinals and classification matches
Aug. 11: Finals