COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (August 25, 2021) – Fourteen athletes will represent USA Volleyball at the 2021 Women’s NORCECA Continental Championship August 26-31 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
- Outside Hitters: Kara Bajema, Ali Frantti, Micaya White, Lindsay Stalzer
- Middle Blockers: Ali Bastianelli, Cori Crocker, Madeleine Gates, Rachael Kramer
- Opposites: Danielle Cuttino, Roni Jones-Perry
- Setters: Ashley Evans, Jenna Gray
- Liberos: Tiffany Clark, Kendall White
“The players are excited to represent the USA,” said Head Coach Joe Trinsey, who coached with the Athletes Unlimited professional league this year. “For many of them, it’s their first chance to wear a USA jersey at this level, and they want to represent the country well, especially after that incredible Olympic performance.”
Three athletes have previously played for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Danielle Cuttino, who will captain the U.S. in Guadalajara, won gold at the 2019 Pan American Cup and also represented the U.S. at the 2019 Pan American Games. Ashley Evans and Roni Jones-Perry, won the 2019 NORCECA Champions Cup with the squad.
Cuttino, Tiffany Clark and Rachael Kramer also have experience on the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team. Cuttino played in the 2014 NORCECA Women’s U20 Continental Championship, while the other two won gold at the 2017 Pan American Cup. Clark and Cuttino also have Youth National Team experience, while six members competed with Women’s Collegiate National Team programs.
All 14 have played professional volleyball. Clark, Cori Crocker, Lindsay Stalzer and Ali Bastianelli each competed in the United States with Athletes Unlimited.
Trinsey assumes head coaching duties after serving as the national team’s technical coordinator from 2012 to 2016. He is assisted by Michelle Chatman and Cullen Irons.
The United States will compete in group A alongside Puerto Rico and Canada. Group B consists of the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago. Pool play runs from August 26-28, and the knockout stage goes August 29-31.
“We’ve had a good two weeks of training,” Trinsey said. “Now it’s time for us to turn that into results on the court.”
In all, the U.S. has a confederation-leading 23 medals at the Continental Championship, winning gold eight times.
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
Date Opponent Time
August 26: vs. Puerto Rico, 3:00 p.m. ET/Noon PT
August 27: vs. Canada, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT
August 29: Quarterfinals (2nd A vs. 3rd B, 3rd B vs. 2nd A), TBD
August 30: Semifinals, TBD
August 31: Medal Matches, TBD