USA Takes Fourth at NORCECA Continental Championship

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 31, 2021) – For the second time in five days, the U.S. Women’s National Team battled Canada at the NORCECA Continental Championship in Guadalajara, Mexico. This time, Canada prevailed, 3-2 (25-17, 17-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-8) and won the bronze medal on Tuesday.

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

“We had some good moments today,” U.S. Head Coach Joe Trinsey said. “As with most of the tournament, there were moments of greatness but moments of inconsistency as well. That’s on me to prepare the team better.”

Opposite Roni Jones-Perry led the U.S. with 21 points, 18 of them coming from the attack. Outside Hitter Ali Frantti also reached double-digits, adding 14 points. Middle blocker Rachael Kramer and outside hitter Cori Crocker each scored nine times.

Kara Bajema, Ashley Evans and Lindsay Stalzer added four points apiece. As libero, Kendall White was credited with 20 receptions, 40% positive.

Canada and the United States traded set victories throughout the match. In the first, Canada pulled ahead halfway through the set, and the U.S. did the same in the second to bring the match level. In the third, Canada won the final three points for a 2-1 match lead, but the U.S. responded with a 23-25 victory in the fourth.

In the deciding fifth set, Canada took a lead early and held it, clinching the bronze medal with a 15-8 set victory.

Tuesday’s match was a rematch of a pool A contest held August 27. The U.S. won in five sets, although Canada went on to win the pool after a four-set win over Puerto Rico. In the semifinals, Puerto Rico downed Canada, while the U.S. lost to an experienced Dominican Republic squad.

“The athletes certainly can be proud of their effort in this tournament,” Trinsey said. “They gained valuable experience and we got better at executing the speed of offense we want to run at USA. The result wasn’t for lack of hard work.”

The U.S. Women’s National Team will return to action on September 13-19 at the Women’s Pan Am Cup in the Dominican Republic.

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; L, 3-2 (25-17, 17-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-8)