COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 29, 2018) – The hottest volleyball tickets for this spring just got hotter as single sessions tickets go on sale for the U.S. Women’s National Team hosting Volleyball Nations League in Lincoln, Nebraska. Meanwhile, the temperature is rising on overseas courts as members of the U.S. Women continue to shine in leagues on three different continents.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who led the U.S. Women’s National Team in scoring in both 2013 and 2014?
VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE TICKET UPDATE: The U.S. Women’s National Team will host Italy, Poland and Turkey in Lincoln, Nebraska, during the opening week of the Volleyball Nations League on May 15-17. Single session tickets for individuals (nine tickets or less) and groups (10 or more tickets) will go on sale Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. CT following a 45-day period of only all-session ticket sales. The VNL matches will take place at the 7,900-seat Bob Devaney Sports Center on the University of Nebraska campus. Jordan Larson, Kelsey Robinson, Justine Wong-Orantes and Amber Rolfzen are all Nebraska alums who could potentially be representing the United States during the Volleyball Nations League in Lincoln. Tickets can be purchased at huskers.com/usavolleyball or by calling 800-8-BIGRED.
Single Session (9 tickets or less)
- A & B Levels: $35.00/ticket
- C Padded: $25.00/ticket
- C Plastic: $25.00/ticket
- Standing Room Only: $15.00/ticket
Group Single Session (10 tickets or more)
- A & B Levels: $30.00/ticket
- C Padded: $20.00/ticket
- C Plastic: $20.00/ticket
- Standing Room Only: $10.00/ticket
KRISTA VANSANT HEADS INTO COLLEGE COACHING: Krista Vansant, who was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team during the 2015-16 seasons, is moving into the college coaching world as she accepted the Indiana University women’s assistant volleyball coach position. While at the University of Washington, Vansant was the AVCA Division I National Player of the Year in 2013 and two-time Honda Award winner as the nation’s top volleyball player. Vansant was named most valuable player of the 2015 Pan American Cup in her international debut as the U.S. Women’s National Team won gold. She also helped the U.S. win gold at the 2015 Pan American Games and the 2015 NORCECA Championship. Vansant joins the Indiana staff that will be directed by first-year head coach Steve Aird, who was hired after guiding the University of Maryland program.
WILHITE INTERVIEW WITH ALMA MATER: Sarah Wilhite (Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) was part of a Question-Answer interview with her alma mater, University of Minnesota. In describing her time with the U.S. Women’s National Team, she said: “Competing in the USA gym is something I never thought would happen. I’ve always looked up to the national team players so having the opportunity to compete alongside them last summer was surreal! I learned a lot from both the coaches and players and left motivated to keep pursuing volleyball. My heart for the game continues to grow and the culture in the USA gym is a huge reason for that. Traveling for World Grand Prix, wearing a USA jersey for the first time, was an experience I will never forget.”
LLOYD WITH BARUERI IN BRAZIL: Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, California, Instagram), a 2016 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, joined Hinode Barueri of the Brazil Superliga in January after successfully recovering from an injury during the 2017 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. In her debut match in Brazil, Barueri lost to Camponesa/Minas 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 on Jan. 23. Lloyd led Barueri to a 38 kill percent for the match and added two kills on as many attacks and a block. On the opposite side of the net, American and 2012 Olympian Destinee Hooker scored eight points and Sonja Newcombe added four points in her debut in Brazil. Barueri defeated Sao Cristovao Saude/Sao Caetano 25-21, 25-20, 29-27 on Jan. 26. Lloyd set her team to a 41 kill percent and added three individual points with one kill, one block and one ace. She was named most valuable player of the match. To watch a replay of the match, click here. Barueri (9-8, 27 points), now in fifth place), resumes action on Jan. 30 against eighth-place Esporte Clube Pinheiros (6-10, 20 points) followed by sixth-place Fluminense F.C. (9-7, 26 points) on Feb. 2.
LARSON, ADAMS WITH ECZACIBASI IN TURKISH LEAGUE: Outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Nebraska, Instagram, Twitter), a two-time Olympic Games medalist, and middle Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio, Instagram, Twitter), a 2016 Olympic Games bronze medalist, are playing professionally with Eczacibasi in the Turkish League for the 2017-18 season. In CEV Cup action, Eczacibasi handled Italy’s Yamamay E-Work Busto Arsizio 29-27, 25-18, 25-27, 25-18 on Jan. 24 to open the 8th Finals Round home-and-home series. Adams converted 62 percent of her attacks with 13 kills on 21 swings to go with three blocks and an ace for 17 points. Larson matched her point total of 17 with 16 kills on 30 swings and only two errors. She added one ace in the victory and a 55 positive reception percent on 20 chances. The two teams meet again on Feb. 8 to conclude the series with the victory advancing to the 4th Finals Round (quarterfinals). In the Turkish League, Eczacibasi stormed past last-place Ilbank 25-18, 25-12, 25-13 on Jan. 28. Neither Larson or Adams played in the contest against the mismatched opponent. Eczacibasi (15-1), which is in first place with tiebreakers over VakifBank (14-1), faces 11th-place Canakkale on Jan. 31 next week in the Turkish League followed by a major showdown against VakifBank on Feb. 4.
ROBINSON WITH VAKIFBANK IN TURKISH LEAGUE: Outside hitter Kelsey Robinson (Manhattan Beach, California, Instagram, Twitter, Website), a 2016 Olympic Games bronze medalist, is playing club volleyball with VakifBank in the Turkish professional league this winter. In European Champions League action, VakifBank blanked Dinamo Moscow 25-20, 25-22, 25-18 on Jan. 24. Robinson was a sub in the first two sets. She had three serves and was perfect on her one service reception. VakifBank, now 3-0 in Pool D, resumes Champions League action on Feb. 8 with a rematch of Dinamo Moscow (1-2). In the Turkish League, VakifBank swept eighth-place Nilufer 25-18, 25-16, 25-23 on Jan. 28. Robinson crushed 17 kills on 27 swings to go with one ace and one block for 19 points. She added a 64 positive reception percent on 11 chances. VakifBank (15-1), in second place on tiebreakers, resumes Turkish League action on Jan. 31 against last-place Ilbank followed by a showdown against top-ranked Eczacibasi (15-1) on Feb. 4. Robinson has launched her own website, www.nomandplay.com, on her passions for play, travel and food. Check out her article on nine unique day trips from Venice, Italy, by clicking here.
AKINRADEWO WITH JAPAN V-LEAGUE’S HISAMITSU SPRINGS: Two-time U.S. Olympic medalist Foluke Akinradewo (Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Instagram, Twitter) is playing middle for Japan V.League’s Hisamitsu Springs this winter. Hisamitsu Springs blanked Ageo Medics 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 on Jan. 27. Akinradewo notched 10 kills on 19 swings and three blocks for 13 points in the victory. Hisamitsu Springs concluded the regular season undefeated following a 25-18, 25-15, 25-15 victory over Toray on Jan. 28. Akinradewo produced eight kills on 12 errorless attacks, five aces on 18 serves and a block for 14 points. Hisamitsu Springs (21-0) will now prepare for the playoffs that begin on Feb. 10 against third-place Denso followed by a Feb. 11 match versus sixth-place Toray.
HILL WITH CONEGLIANO IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Outside hitter Kim Hill (Portland, Oregon, Instagram), a 2016 Olympic Games bronze medalist, is playing for Imoco Volley Conegliano in the Italian Serie A1 this winter. In the European Champions League, Conegliano rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Fenerbahce 21-25, 25-27, 25-15, 25-17, 15-10 on Jan. 25. Hill scored 15 points in the victory with 13 kills on 34 swings and two aces on a match-high 25 serves. She handled 42 of the team’s 86 receptions with a 38 positive percent. Conegliano, now 3-0 in Champions League Pool B, will have a rematch with Fenerbahce (1-2) in the fourth leg on Feb. 7. In the Italian Serie A1, Conegliano lost to fifth-place Saugella Team Monza 25-18, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22 on Jan. 28. Hill provided 16 points in the loss via 15 kills on 31 swings and a block. She was credited with a 78 positive reception percent on 27 chances. Conegliano (15-2, 44 points), which holds on to first place, meets fourth-place Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio (10-7, 32 points) on Feb. 4.
GIBBEMEYER WITH NOVARA IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: U.S. Women’s National Team middle Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) is playing her 2017-18 professional season with Igor Gorgonzola Novara in the Italian Serie A1. In the European Champions League, Novara topped Agel Prostejov 25-12, 25-13, 22-25, 25-14 on Jan. 25. Gibbemeyer cranked out eight kills on 12 attacks to go with four blocks and an ace for 13 points. Novara, now 2-1 in Pool B, challenges Prostejov in a rematch in the fourth leg on Feb. 7. In the Italian Serie A1, Novara was upset by 10th-place Foppapedretti Bergamo 25-23, 19-25, 28-26, 22-25, 15-11 on Jan. 28 in Bergamo. Gibbemeyer scored three points in the loss. Novara (13-4, 40 points), which remains in second place, resumes Italian League action on Feb. 4 against third-place Savino Del Bene Scandicci (14-3, 39 points).
CARLINI WITH SCANDICCI IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Setter Lauren Carlini (Aurora, Illinois, Instagram, Twitter), who played her first year with the U.S. Women’s National Team this past summer, is playing her first pro season with Savino Del Bene Scandicci in the Italian Serie A1 this winter. Scandicci downed seventh-place Mycicero Volley Pesaro 25-20, 25-13, 25-13 on Jan. 28. Carlini did not play in the match. Scandicci (14-3, 39 points), which stays in third place, resumes regular season action on Feb. 4 against second-place Igor Gorgonzola Novara (13-4, 40 points).
DIXON, HANCOCK WITH MONZA IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Middle Tori Dixon (Burnsville, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter), an alternate to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s Team, and U.S. Women’s National Team setter Micha Hancock (Edmond, Oklahoma, Instagram, Twitter) are playing for Saugella Team Monza in the Italian Serie A1 this winter after missing the 2016-17. Team Monza stunned top-ranked Imoco Volley Conegliano 25-18, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22 in a home match on Jan. 28. Dixon converted nine of 18 attacks into points with a block for 10 points. Hancock set Team Monza to a 36 kill percent and added four individual kills on six attacks and a block for five points. Team Monza (9-8, 28 points), now in fifth place, challenges seventh-place Mycicero Volley Pesaro (8-9, 25 points) on Feb. 4.
BARTSCH-HACKLEY, WILHITE WITH ITALY’S UNET E-WORK BUSTO ARSIZIO: Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (Champaign, Illinois, Instagram, Twitter) and Sarah Wilhite (Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter), both outside hitters for the U.S. Women’s National Team, are playing their 2017-18 pro season for Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio in the Italian Serie A1. In the CEV Cup, Busto Arsizio lost to Turkey’s Eczacibasi 29-27, 25-18, 25-27, 25-18 on Jan. 24 to start its 8th Finals Round home-and-home series. Bartsch-Hackley slammed 14 kills on 38 swings to go with two aces on 16 serves for 16 points. She added a 55 positive reception percent while handling 49 of the team’s 93 chances. Wilhite, a sub in all four sets, produced two kills on three errorless attacks. The teams meet again on Feb. 8 with the series winner advancing to the 4th Finals Round (quarterfinals). In the Italian Serie A1, Busto Arsizio lost to 11th-place Sab Volley Legnano 25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 25-21 on Jan. 27. Bartsch-Hackley contributed 15 kills on 35 swings in the loss. She added a 43 positive reception percent on seven chances. Wilhite was a sub in the second set. Busto Arsizio (10-7, 32 points), which stays fourth in the standings, faces top-ranked Imoco Volley Conegliano (15-2, 44 points) on Feb. 4.
DREWS WITH CASALMAGGIORE IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Opposite Annie Drews (Elkhart, Indiana, Instagram, Twitter), who played her first season with the U.S. Women’s National Team, is currently playing for Pomi Casalmaggiore in the Italian Serie A1 after transferring from Sab Volleyball Legnano. In the CEV Cup, Casalmaggiore swept Linamar-Bekescsabi RS KFT 25-20, 25-14, 25-15 on Jan. 23 to start the 8th Finals Round home-and-home series. Drews pounded 11 kills on 21 swings to go with three aces and one block for 15 points. The teams conclude the series on Feb. 7 with the winner advancing to the 4th Finals Round (quarterfinals). In the Italian Serie A, Casalmaggiore downed eighth-place Il Bisonte Firenze (5-12, 17 points) 25-22, 26-24, 16-25, 25-17 on Jan. 27. Drews produced 12 points, all on kills coming off 31 swings. Casalmaggiore (4-13 17 points), now in ninth-place, meets last-place Lardini Filottrano (3-14, 8 points) on Feb. 4.
KINGDON WITH KOREA V-LEAGUE’S IBK: Outside hitter Madi Kingdon (Hermosa Beach, California, Instagram, Twitter), a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, is playing her second consecutive professional season with IBK of the Korea V-League. IBK swept the Pink Spiders 25-16, 25-19, 25-14 on Jan. 27. Kingdon provided 22 kills on 47 swings and two blocks for a match-high 24 points. IBK (14-7, 41 points), now in second place, challenges league-leader Korea Expressway (15-6, 44 points) on Jan. 30 in its next league match.
WOPAT WITH BAIC MOTORS IN CHINA: Carly Wopat (Santa Barbara, California, Instagram, Twitter), a middle for the U.S. Women’s National Team, is playing for BAIC Motors in Beijing as part of the Chinese professional league. BAIC lost to Liaoning Broadcasting 26-24, 25-19, 25-21 on Jan. 23 and to Shenzhen 25-18, 25-19, 25-23 on Jan. 27. Wopat did not play in either match. BAIC concludes its Stage 2 playoff schedule on Feb. 3 against Liaoning Broadcasting.
McMAHON WITH SOVERATO IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: U.S. Women’s National Team opposite Liz McMahon (Liberty Township, Ohio, Instagram) is playing for Volley Soverato in the Italian Serie A2 this winter. Soverato defeated Bartoccini Gioiellerie Perugia 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 on Jan. 28 for its third straight victory. McMahon accounted for 12 points with nine kills on 28 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Soverato (14-7, 40 points), which moved up to sixth-place place, resumes action on Feb. 4 against fourth-place Ubi Banca San Bernardo Cuneo (15-6, 46 points).
PAIGE TAPP, McCAGE WITH ALLIANZ MTV STUTTGART IN GERMAN BUNDESLIGA: Middles Paige Tapp (Stewartville, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) and Molly McCage (Spring, Texas, Instagram), who were part of the U.S. Women’s National Team this past summer, are playing professionally this winter with Allianz MTV Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga. In the CEV Cup, Stuttgart blanked Aserix Avo Beveren 25-23, 25-14, 25-17 on Jan. 24. Tapp scored 10 points with five kills on 10 errorless attacks, three blocks and two aces in an all-around performance. McCage added six kills on 11 swings with just one error to go with three blocks and one ace for 10 points. The two teams conclude the series on Feb. 6 with the winner going to the 4th Finals Round (quarterfinals). In the German Bundesliga regular season, Stuttgart easily handled top-ranked Dresdner SC 25-12, 25-18, 25-19 on Jan. 28 as the American starting middles combined for 14 of 18 hitting without an error. Tapp scored nine points with seven kills on nine errorless attacks, one block and one ace. McCage chipped in seven kills on nine errorless attacks in the victory. Stuttgart (13-2, 37 points), which is in second place in the Bundesliga, returns to regular season Bundesliga action on Feb. 4 versus fifth-place Munster (7-7, 24 points).
BUGG WITH DRESDNER IN GERMAN BUNDESLIGA: Setter Madi Bugg (Apex, North Carolina, Instagram), who was part of the U.S. Women’s National Team this past summer, is competing in the German Bundesliga with Dresdner SC this winter. In the CEV Cup, Dresdner shutdown TS Volley Duedingen 25-18, 25-13, 25-17 on Jan. 24. Bugg was a sub in the final two sets and registered five serves without an error. The home-and-home series concludes on Feb. 7 with the winner heading to the 4th Finals Round (quarterfinals). In the German Bundesliga, Dresdner lost to second-place Stuttgart 25-12, 25-18, 25-19 on Jan. 28. Bugg was a sub in the final two sets, recording one serve. Dresdner (13-2, 38 points), which remains in first place, faces seventh-place Vilsbiburg (7-7, 20 points) on Feb. 3.
AMBER ROLFZEN WITH BEZIERS IN FRENCH LEAGUE: Middle Amber Rolfzen (Papillion, Nebraska, Instagram), who was part of the U.S. Women’s National Team this past summer, is competing with Beziers in the French League this winter. In the CEV Cup, Beziers battled past Minchanka Minsk 25-19, 20-25, 25-21, 14-25, 15-9 on Jan. 24 to open the 8th Finals Round home-and-home series in Beziers. Rolfzen collected six points in the win with three blocks, two kills and an ace. American teammate Krystal Rivers scored 18 points in the win. The series concludes on Feb. 7 with the winner advancing to the 4th Finals Round (quarterfinals). In the French League, Beziers held off seventh-place SF Paris St. Cloud (6-9, 18 points) 26-24, 20-25, 25-15, 25-18 on Jan. 28. Rolfzen netted six kills on 11 errorless attacks, two blocks and two aces for 10 points. Rivers added 26 points in the victory. Beziers (14-1, 38 points), now in second place based on standings points, meets ninth-place Vandoeuvre Nancy (6-9, 16 points) on Feb. 3 in its next French League match.
DANNEMILLER WITH MULHOUSE IN FRENCH LEAGUE: Setter Lexi Dannemiller (West Chester, Ohio, Instagram, Twitter), a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team this past summer, is competing for ASPTT Mulhouse in the French League this winter. In the European Champions League, Mulhouse lost to CSM Volei Alba Blaj 25-20, 20-25, 25-16, 25-20 on Jan. 24 in Pool A action. Dannemiller, who came off the bench in the first and started the final three sets, helped Mulhouse to a 34 kill percent for the match. She was credited with two aces in the match. Mulhouse, now 1-2 in Pool A, has a rematch with Blaj (3-0) on Feb. 7 in the fourth leg of the playoffs. In the French League, Mulhouse downed 10th-place Nantes (4-11, 16 points) 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 29-27 on Jan. 28. Dannemiller started the first two sets. Mulhouse (10-5, 30 points), which is in third place, resumes French League action on Feb. 2 against fifth-place St. Raphael (7-8, 23 points).
BENSON WITH VANDOEUVRE NANCY IN FRENCH LEAGUE: Libero Amanda Benson (Litchfield Park, Arizona, Instagram, Twitter), who was part of the U.S. Women’s National Team this past summer, is competing for Vandoeuvre Nancy in the French professional league this winter. Vandoeuvre Nancy lost to Le Cannet 25-18, 25-16, 25-23 on Jan. 29. Benson was credited with a 67 positive reception percent on a team-best 24 chances. Nancy (6-9, 16 points), now in ninth place, resumes French League action on Feb. 3 against Beziers (14-1, 38 points).
TRIVIA ANSWER: Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Illinois, Instagram, Twitter) led the U.S. Women in scoring in both 2013 and 2014, her first two season with the squad. As a rookie, she tallied 314 points with a 3.53 scoring average. In her second season, she amassed team-highs of 370 points and 4.35 points per set highlighted by a team-best 157 points during the 2014 FIVB World Championship.