U.S. Women Change Starting Lineup, Beat Poland at VNL

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 16, 2022) – The U.S. Women’s National Team swept Poland in a Volleyball Nations League (VNL) match on Thursday (25-12, 25-21, 25-16) in Quezon City, Philippines, to improve to 5-1 and move into second place in the VNL standings.

The U.S. Women will play China (4-1) on Saturday at 4 a.m. PT. All matches are being shown on VolleyballWorld.tv, a streaming service.

OFFICIAL STATISTICS

Talk about depth; The U.S. Team that started on Thursday was completely different from the group that swept Bulgaria on Wednesday; but the result was the same.

“Those two groups of seven are putting a lot of thought and effort into being great teammates for each other and bringing out the best in each other,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “When they’ve battled in training, each group has gotten the other group very well prepared for the teams that we have faced here so far.”

U.S. outside hitter Ali Frantti led all scorers with 18 points on a match-high 15 kills and a match-high three blocks. She led the U.S. Women in successful receptions with seven.

“It’s such an honor to be with these girls and this talent each day,” said Frantti, who is playing in her first tournament with the senior National Team. “It’s fun to get in the gym and work hard with them… We’re focusing on good serves, good first contacts, getting set on the block… focusing on those little things.”

Opposite Nia Reed made her first start for the U.S. Women and finished with 12 points on 11 kills and one block. She led the team in digs with 13.

“I can honestly say, I was nervous. My legs felt like Jell-O. But they were good nerves,” Reed said. “With different lineups every other week or even every other game, it’s hard to stay together, stay connected. But I think USAV does a really good job with their players on connection and communication.

“I thought we competed hard today. We stayed calm and level-headed. We had patience and I think that worked in our favor.”

Outside hitter Madi Kingdon Rishel also scored 12 points on 11 kills and one block.

Middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu, playing with the U.S. Women for the first time since the Tokyo Olympic Games, scored nine points on seven kills and two blocks. Middle Anna Stevenson scored six points on five kills and two blocks.

Setter Lauren Carlini scored four points on two kills, a block and the United States’ only ace. She set the U.S. Women to a .467 hitting efficiency. Libero Morgan Hentz was credited with 12 digs and three successful receptions.

The U.S. Women are ranked No. 1 in the world. They are the three-time defending VNL champions and the defending Olympic gold medalists.

U.S. Women’s Preliminary Roster for 2022 VNL
No. Name (Pos., Ht, Hometown, College, USAV Region)

1 Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Okla., Penn State Univ., Oklahoma)
3 Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Stanford Univ., Southern California)
4 Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
5 Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford Univ., Pioneer)
7 Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, Aurora, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
8 Hannah Tapp (MB, 6-3, Stewartville, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota, North Country)
9 Madi Kingdon Rishel (OH, 6-1, Phoenix, Ariz., Univ. of Arizona, Arizona)
15 Haleigh Washington (MB, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colo., Penn State Univ., Rocky Mountain)
20 Danielle Cuttino (Opp, 6-4, Indianapolis, Ind., Purdue Univ., Hoosier)
23 Kelsey Robinson (OH, 6-2, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
24 Chiaka Ogbogu (MB, 6-2, Coppell, Texas, Univ. of Texas, North Texas)
30 Ali Frantti (OH, 6-1, Spring Grove, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
31 Anna Stevenson (MB, 6-2, Laurens S.C., Univ. of Louisville, Palmetto)
33 Nia Reed (Opp, 6-1, Fort Lee, N.J., Penn State, Garden Empire)

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coaches: Erin Virtue, Tama Miyashiro, Alfee Reft
Performance Analyst: Brian Hurler
Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Team Doctor: Christopher Lee
Consultant Coach: Sue Enquist
Team Manager: Coley Pawlikowski
Sports Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel

2022 U.S. Women’s VNL Schedule (All times PDT)

Week 1 – Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
May 31-June 5
USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-18)
USA def Canada, 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-19)
USA def Brazil, 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-18)
Japan def USA, 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-20)

Week 2 – Quezon City, Philippines
USA def Bulgaria, 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20)
USA def Poland, 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-16)

Saturday, June 18
4 a.m. USA vs China

Sunday, June 19
12 a.m. USA vs Thailand

Week 3 – Calgary, Canada
Wednesday, June 29
7 p.m. USA vs Belgium

Thursday, June 30
7 p.m. USA vs Serbia

Saturday, July 2
1 p.m. USA vs Turkey

Sunday, July 4
1 p.m. USA vs Germany

Finals: July 13-17 in Ankara, Turkey