PARIS, France, July 29, 2024.- The U.S. Women’s National Team made a valiant comeback before dropping its Paris Olympics opener to China, 3-2 (25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 15-13) on Monday. China received two points in pool play for the victory, while the U.S. earned one point for going five.
The U.S. entered the Olympic Games ranked fifth in the world, while China came in ranked sixth. The U.S. will face No. 9 Serbia on Wednesday (July 31).
The U.S. ended the match with a 74-68 advantage in kills and 6-1 in aces, while recording just one less block (12-11). China benefitted from 21 U.S. errors, while committing only 11. Each team scored 102 points.
“The statistics highlight how thin the margin is,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “We have to take care of some of these little plays.
“The makeable plays have to be made. We made a bunch. I want to give our team a huge amount of credit for fighting back. It’s not easy to come back from 0-2 against a really good China team.”
Kiraly singled out the play of libero Justine Wong-Orantes, who recorded a double-double with a match-high 17 digs and adding 12 successful receptions.
He also lauded setter Jordyn Poulter, who started all five sets after coming back this season from a severe knee injury. Lauren Carlini also helped with setting duties during double substitutions.
Opposite Annie Drews led all players with 26 kills and 29 points, adding three blocks, hitting at a .353 efficiency percentage.
“I think there’s a presence I can bring that inspires those around me if I’m not getting in my own way,” Drews said. “My focus this tournament is on how I can bring the emotional version of my best self out there and let the errors fly in the wind.”
The U.S. Women call their players off the bench “Game Changers” and looked to Avery Skinner and Kathryn Plummer to change the match against China. The pair helped the U.S. win the third and fourth sets to force the tiebreaker.
Skinner scored 17 points on 15 kills and two aces, hitting .400, and led all players with 17 successful receptions. Plummer added 10 points on nine kills and an ace.
“They came in guns a blazing because they had nothing to lose,” middle blocker Haleigh Washington said. “I love that attitude. I love that energy. I think it’s a testament to the depth we have on this team.”
Washington and fellow middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu each reached double digits in scoring. Ogbogu totaled 13 points with nine kills and shared match-high honors with four blocks. Washington finished with 11 points on five kills, three blocks and a match-best three aces.
Outside Kelsey Robinson Cook recorded 15 successful receptions and three kills.
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