The USA women have moved into a three-way tie for second place in the Volleyball Nations League after another victory.
With a 25-12, 25-21, 25-16 victory over Poland in Quezon City, Philippines, the Americans advanced to 5-1, 2-0 in the second round.
The United States had swept Bulgaria the day before, and Karch Kiraly had revised his lineup.
Ali Frantti, who shone in the team’s first-round matches in Bossier City, Louisiana, put forth her greatest performance to yet. 15 kills, three blocks, and six digs for the Penn State product.
Frantti told Volleyball World, “I’m having a lot of fun.” “It’s such an honor to be among these talented women.” It’s an honor to go to the gym with them and work hard. We’re simply concentrating on making solid serves, making excellent initial contacts, and getting ready on the block. And I think we’re doing a great job with our offensive.”
Madi Kingdon Rishel, the other outside, and opposite Nia Reed, who was making her maiden start, each tallied 11 kills and a block. Rishel, an Arizona product, led the team with five digs, while Reed of Penn State led with 13.
“I’ll be honest, I was nervous. My legs felt like they were made of Jell-O. “However, they were good nerves,” Reed explained. “It’s difficult to stay together, stay connected, with changed lineups every other week or even every other game.” However, I believe USAV does an excellent job of connecting and communicating with its players.
“I thought we put up a good fight today.” We maintained our composure and sanity. We were patient, which I believe worked in our favor.”
Middle Chiaka Ogbogu, the Texas product and only Olympian from the team that won gold last year on the court, had seven kills and two blocks, and the other middle, newcomer Anna Stevenson from Louisville, had five kills, an ace and a block.
Setter Lauren Carlini, the former Wisconsin great, had two kills, a block, eight digs and an ace, and libero Morgan Hentz, a three-time NCAA champion for Stanford, had 12 digs.
In other VNL action from the Philippines on Thursday, Canada swept Belgium and Japan swept Bulgaria.
In matches in Brasilia, Brazil, Serbia swept Korea but went more than overtime in tne first set, winning 40-38, 25-22, 25-22. Brazil swept the Netherlands, while Italy defeated the Dominican Republic in five games.
China had trounced Canada in four games while this was being written on Friday morning.
Japan, which finished the first leg two weeks ago with a sweep of the USA, is atop the standings at 6-0. The United States is tied with China and Brazil after a day off on Friday before facing China on Saturday. At 4-2, Serbia, Thailand, Italy, and Poland are a game behind.
Kiraly talked about being able to use completely different lineups.
“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,” 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.”
Martyna Czyrnianska led Poland with 10 kills, an ace and a block and Martyna Lukasik had eight kills.
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