USA sweep the Netherlands in Long Beach ahead of Paris 2024

Reigning Olympic champions the United States continued their preparations for the Paris 2024 Games in great form this week as they defeated Olympic rivals the Netherlands three times over the course of five days in Long Beach, California, in the USA Volleyball Cup.

The teams met on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at The Walter Pyramid and the Americans prevailed on all three occasions, despite using different lineups in each encounter.

The first duel, on Wednesday, was the most difficult one for the home team, which had to come back twice to top the Dutch in the tie-breaker (22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-10, 15-12) with outside hitter Avery Skinner leading the way with 27 points (25 kills, two blocks).

On Friday, the Americans were more efficient at dominating their opponents and secured a straight-set (25-21, 25-20, 25-13) victory – the teams played a fourth set, which was also won by the home side 25-23. Outside hitter Kathryn Plummer was the team’s leading scorer with 24 points (20 kills, four blocks).

“It was a fun game,” middle blocker Haleigh Washington said. “I think we ID’d some things we want to get better at. But I think we also progressively got better during the match.”

The series between the teams came to an end with another sweep on Sunday, as the Olympic champions produced a 3-0 (28-26, 25-18, 25-17) win over the Dutch – again, the teams played an extra set, but this time the Europeans prevailed, winning 25-22. Opposite Annie Drews led the way with 19 points (15 kills, four blocks).

“We did some good things here and also we see that we still have work to do,” head coach Karch Kiraly said. “We’re going to take these 15 days and improve as much as we can and then throw everything we’ve got at China and Serbia. We’re ecstatic that our group is getting to a really good state of health. For the first time all season, we were able to start the same seven people for two consecutive matches (Friday and Sunday).”

Americans and Dutch in different pools in Paris

Heading to the Paris Olympics, which will be held from July 27-August 11, the United States and the Netherlands will start in different pools, but could meet in the elimination rounds if both teams advance. The Americans appear in Pool A, alongside China, France and Serbia, while the Dutch are in Pool C with the Dominican Republic, Italy and Türkiye.

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