U. S . WOMEN’ S NAT I ONA L T E AM
Opposite Nicole Fawcett was a big part of the United States Women’s Volleyball Team’s success in Nebraska.
to give the U.S. as much front-court offense as possible in most rotations. Kim Hill, who was the MVP of the World Championship in 2014, has seen her playing time dwindle since her breakout event, but she came off the bench to deliver some big kills in the third and fourth sets against Puerto Rico. Kiraly said the long-armed Hill gives a “differ- ent look” for opponents to think about. He was happy with her effort against Puerto Rico, but Hill did not see the floor the next night. It was another example of the depth of options for the coaching staff. Karsta Lowe was effective in her role as
the “offensive opposite” in the double sub with Thompson, especially against Canada and Puerto Rico. She had 10 points against both. She was bubbling about qualifying for the Olympics. “It’s a relief to qualify for the Olympics and get that out of the way before we split,” she said. “I have not been through that many training blocks, and I thought we got a lot accomplished in this one.” Easy and middle blocker Tori Dixon were also solid for the three matches. Easy came
42 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at
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off the bench for her kills, while Dixon started each match. Dominican Repub-
lic Head Coach Marcos Kwiek, speaking through an interpreter, called the U.S. team one of the best in the world. He said he would have liked to have De La Cruz (shoulder is-
Qualified Women’s Olympic Teams As of Jan. 12, 2016
Brazil (host country) China (FIVB World Cup winner) Serbia (FIVB World Cup runner-up) United States (NORCECA Qualification Tournament Winner) Russia (European Qualification Tournament Winner) Argentina (South American Qualification Tournament Winner)
sues) on the floor but that the U.S. was still the dominant team. He wouldn’t go as far as to say they should be the favorite for gold in Rio. He did say, however, the Americans are No. 1 in one aspect. “Harmony,” he called it. “No team plays together like the U.S. It’s what makes them so difficult to defeat. They are together even when things start to go bad.” The U.S. harmony survived the test of the
NORCECA roster decision, maybe the most dramatic event of the week. The depth of play- ers who can contribute in big moments in the American Sports Centers training complex in Anaheim extends well beyond 14.
Kiraly told each player who was making the trip (and those who weren’t) by personal communication within 36 hours before they departed for Lincoln. Fawcett, with her MVP hardware in tow, was keen on mentioning the players who did not make the roster as a big part of the process in securing the bid. “This is theirs as much as the players who are here,” she said.
Things will ramp up for the U.S. in May
and roster decisions will be at the forefront of everybody’s minds, especially with two fewer spots allowed for the Olympics than the NORCECA event (14 to 12). One thing is certain, entitlement spots are not available.
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