Carlini guides Americans to fifth VNL victory

Star setter Lauren Carlini helped a relatively inexperienced American team claim their fifth victory in the Volleyball Nations League 2022 in Quezon City, the Philippines, on Friday.

With just one member of the team with experience of last year’s Tokyo Olympics on the court (middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu), Carlini stepped up and led the United States to a sweep (25-12, 25-21, 25-16) of Poland that moved the team up to the second place with 15 points (five wins, one loss).

· Watch all VNL 2022 matches live on Volleyball TV.

A member of the American roster in their three victorious VNL campaigns (2018, 2019 and 2021), the 27-year-old Carlini did an excellent job with her ball distribution, helping three of her hitters to reach double digits in kills. She also scored four points of her own and was active in defense, producing seven digs.

Carlini also produced one of the most spectacular blocking points of the match when she stuffed Polish outside hitter Martyna Lukasik to score 3-3 in the second set. A few plays later, she helped the Americans build an 8-6 lead with one of her trademark setter dumps. In the third set, Carlini came up big again at the net by winning a joust that ended with the third American point.

Volleyball Nations League 2022: Schedule and results

Outside hitters Alexandra Frantti (18 points – 15 kills, three blocks) and Rishel Kingdon (12 points – 11 kills, one block) and opposite Nia Reed (12 points – 11 kills, one block) all benefited from Carlini’s stellar performance.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” the 26-year-old Frantti said at the end of the match. “It’s such an honour to be with these girls and this talent. It’s such a privilege to get to the gym and work hard with them. We’re just focusing on good serves, good first contacts and getting ready on the block, just the little things. And I think we’re running our offence really well.”

The only Polish player to reach double digits in scoring was opposite Martyna Czyrnianska, who left the court with 12 points (ten kills, one block, one ace).

Still undefeated in Quezon City, the Americans will likely have their biggest challenge in the second week of the VNL on Saturday, when they face China at 19.00 local time (11.00 GMT).

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