The U.S. girls’ youth national team was plagued by unforced errors and reception issues in losing to Russia 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 on Saturday in its opening match of the biennial FIVB Women’s U18 World Championship at Santa Fe, Argentina.
The Americans will face Belarus on Sunday in Pool B action. Belarus opened its tournament with an upset of Brazil on Friday, which was an off-day for the Americans in the five-team pool.
American outside hitter Logan Eggleston provided a team-best 13 points with 11 kills on 24 attacks and two blocks. Outside Madi Kubik charted eight kills on 23 attacks with a block for nine points. Opposite Kendall Kipp contributed eight kills on 13 attacks.
Middle Holly Campbell tacked on seven points with four kills and a team-best three blocks. Middle Madison Horin pocketed five kills on 10 swings and an ace for six points.
The U.S. converted 43.4 percent of its attacks into kills with a .181 hitting efficiency (36-21-83).
Nicklin Hames was credited with 17 running sets on 70 total set attempts. The American defense limited Russia to a 37.7 kill percent, but the Russians limited their attack errors to 11 for a .234 hitting efficiency.
Brooke Nuneviller was credited with nine excellent receptions on 17 chances with one error, in addition to six digs. Eggleston had 13 excellent receptions on 23 chances, while Kubik had 12 excellent receptions and team-best seven digs.
Team USA committed 27 errors in the three-set loss and Russia held a 10-1 margin in aces. The Americans held a 36-29 margin in kills, while the Russians managed a 9-6 block advantage and held their errors to 13 for the match.
The U.S. started Eggleston and Kubik at outside, Campbell and Horin at middle, Kipp at opposite and Hames at setter. Nuneviller was the libero for the match.
Menlo School junior Selina Xu and Taylor Landfair were subs for the U.S. in the second set, while Skylar Fields was a sub in the third set.
By USA Volleyball
By USA Volleyball
By USA Volleyball