The U.S. women's team ended the first round of the Volleyball Nations League with an overwhelming victory over the Dominican Republic.
Now it's the man's turn.
The U.S. reserve team (the Olympic team and coach John Spero are staying home) will travel to Antalya and Turkiye to face Poland in Wednesday's opening game. The remaining men's competition begins on Tuesday. In Antalya, Bulgaria will face France and Turkiye will face Canada, while in Rio de Janeiro, where the women's tournament has just ended, Argentina will face Japan and Cuba will face Brazil.
The Netherlands will play Slovenia on Wednesday before the U.S. game, while Germany will play Italy and Iran will play Serbia in Rio.
The U.S. women's team won 25-23, 25-20, 25-18 against the Dominican Republic on Sunday as Avery Skinner had 18 kills and 10 digs. Another outsider, Jordan Larson, had nine kills, a .350 batting average, 13 digs and two aces. Sarah Parsons and Chiaka Ogbogu had seven kills each with an ace and a solo block. Ogobogu had five solo blocks.
Setter Jordyn Poulter had 11 digs and two kills.
The United States opened with a four-set win over Thailand, then lost to China and Brazil in four sets.
“It's certainly been a very complicated week with some disappointing losses against China and then Brazil,” said U.S. coach Karch Killary. “We really struggled to create the type of offense that we want to achieve and hope to achieve in Zone 2 and Zone 1, overhead, behind the setter, front row, back row.
“So there's still a lot of work to be done on this front.”
Most of the 14 players got court time in Rio, and for that matter, Kiraly used one lineup against Thailand and then an almost entirely different lineup against China.
The team plans to return to its training gym in Anaheim.
“Over the past seven business days or so, a number of people have arrived at the gym, including Hayley Washington, Kalia Lanier, Kathryn Plummer, Kelsey Cook, and Dana from the best team on the planet, Imoco Conegliano. -People like Rettke. So we're going to see a lot of different faces in Week 2 in Texas.”
The second round of the VNL will be held at UT Arlington, the site of last year's finals. “The U.S. plays Canada on May 28th, and Canada is the team to watch right now,” Killaly said. They will have two days off and then play against Bulgaria, Poland and Turkiye.
“We only have a few days of practice time this week where we can integrate those guys. It's going to come fast and furious and our work is limited, but we're going to have a team meeting and practice in our program on Wednesday. I am looking forward to seeing all the participants together for the first time.”
Kiraly said the Serbian team will scrimmage with the Americans on Friday in Anaheim and head to Arlington on Sunday.
The 12 players and one alternate on the U.S. men's Olympic team will remain in Anaheim for the first round, Spero said. (Click here for article on U.S. rosters).
“We can give some experience to some guys who haven't had much opportunity to compete in the VNL, but guys like Jake Haynes, Josh Tuaniga and Kyle D'Agostino have some experience.
“This is an important week for us in terms of the recovery and preparation of our Olympic team athletes,” Spero said. “Also, make sure these young players win the VNL and qualify for the VNL finals.
“This summer's VNL will require a complete and comprehensive team effort from the entire 30-man VNL roster.”
Spero said Andy Reid will serve as head coach at Tourquier while Spero remains with the Olympians.
