Friday, 17 May 2024

U.S. Collegiate National Team-China Tour Overcomes Jiangsu in a Thrilling Five-Set Match

The U.S. Collegiate National Team-China Tour showcased their resilience and skill as they rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat the formidable Chinese professional league team, Jiangsu Zhongtian. The match took place on a scorching evening at the Jintan Stadium, with both teams fiercely battling it out in the hot and humid conditions. Despite Jiangsu finishing second in the Chinese League, the U.S. team displayed their determination and emerged victorious with a final score of 19-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 15-13.

A Slow Start and a Dramatic Comeback

The U.S. team faced a challenging start after training in a gymnasium without air conditioning the day before. This disadvantage resulted in a sluggish performance as they dropped the first two sets to a resilient Jiangsu team. However, as the match progressed, the U.S. team found their momentum and fought back valiantly, ultimately clinching victory in the final three sets.

Impressive Performance from the U.S. Team

The U.S. team showcased their depth and versatility with balanced scoring throughout the match. Audriana Fitzmorris led the scoreboard with an outstanding 18 points, including 12 kills, three aces, and three blocks. Abby Cole and Alexa Smith also made significant contributions, each amassing 17 points. Cole recorded 14 kills and three blocks, while Smith displayed her attacking prowess with 16 kills and an ace over the course of the final four sets. Tia Scambray, starting only in the second set, made her presence felt with five kills, five aces, and a block.

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A Collective Effort

The U.S. team demonstrated their collective strength as multiple players contributed to the victory. Jenna Rosenthal showcased her blocking skills with seven points, including four blocks. Courtney Schwan and Kaz Brown added five and four points, respectively, in their respective sets. Jordan Thompson and Madison Rigdon each contributed three points, while Katie Brand and Ainise Havili rounded out the scoring with two points each from their setter positions.

Solid Defense and Efficient Attacks

Morgan Heise led the defensive charge for Team USA with an impressive 26 digs, contributing to their overall advantage of 67-55 in digs. The U.S. team converted 43% of their attacks into points, showcasing a commendable hitting efficiency of .260 (65-26-150). Additionally, they held a significant 13-7 block advantage over Jiangsu, limiting their opponents to a .211 hitting efficiency (55-24-147).

Meet the U.S. Collegiate National Team for 2016 China Tour

The U.S. Collegiate National Team for the 2016 China Tour featured a talented roster of players from various universities across the country. Here are the names of the players who represented Team USA in this exciting match:

  1. Morgan Heise (L, SMU, Jr., 5-6, Hempstead, Texas)
  2. Abby Cole (MB, University of Michigan, Sr., 6-5, Grand Haven, Michigan)
  3. Jenna Rosenthal (MB, Marquette University, So., 6-6, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)
  4. Kaz Brown (MB, University of Kentucky, Jr., 6-4, Waterloo, Iowa)
  5. Jordan Thompson (OPP, University of Cincinnati, So., 6-4, Edina, Minnesota)
  6. Audriana Fitzmorris (OPP, Stanford University, Fr., 6-6, Overland Park, Kansas)
  7. Ainise Havili (S, University of Kansas, Jr., 5-10, Fort Worth, Texas)
  8. Alexa Smith (OH, University of Colorado, So., 6-1, Colorado Springs, Colorado)
  9. Madison Rigdon (OH, University of Kansas, So., 6-0, Pflugerville, Texas)
  10. Tia Scambray (OH, University of Washington, Jr., 6-0, Dana Point, California)
  11. Katie Brand (S, Kansas State University, Sr., 6-1, Grand Island, Nebraska)
  12. Courtney Schwan (OH, University of Washington, Jr., 6-1, Auburn, Washington)
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FAQs

Q: How did the U.S. Collegiate National Team-China Tour fare against Jiangsu Zhongtian?
A: The U.S. team showed remarkable resilience and came back from a two-set deficit to defeat Jiangsu Zhongtian in a thrilling five-set match.

Q: Who were the top scorers for the U.S. team?
A: Audriana Fitzmorris led the team with 18 points, followed closely by Abby Cole and Alexa Smith with 17 points each.

Q: Who was the standout player in defense for Team USA?
A: Morgan Heise made a significant impact with 26 digs, contributing to the team’s overall advantage in digs.

Summary

In a spectacular display of grit and determination, the U.S. Collegiate National Team-China Tour rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Jiangsu Zhongtian in a thrilling five-set match. Led by their top scorers, Audriana Fitzmorris, Abby Cole, and Alexa Smith, the U.S. team showcased their versatility and resilience. The collective effort of the entire roster, along with solid defense and efficient attacks, propelled them to victory. This impressive performance highlights the skill and talent of the U.S. Collegiate National Team as they continue their tour of China. For more information and updates on the team, visit the official website.