SCAC Women's VolleyballJul 20, 2016 by Megan Kaplon
9 Must-Watch USA Women's Volleyball Matches
9 Must-Watch USA Women's Volleyball Matches
The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team's road to Rio has been an eventful one. Since losing to Brazil in the 2012 gold-medal match, the team has lost a f
The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team's road to Rio has been an eventful one. Since losing to Brazil in the 2012 gold-medal match, the team has lost a few of its former star players and gained a ton of young talent, not to mention welcomed a new head coach. Join us on a romp through time as we relive the most memorable matches of the Rio Olympics quad.
2013 World Grand Prix Preliminary Round vs. Brazil
The 2013 World Grand Prix was the first major tournament after London. Although the U.S. finished an unremarkable fourth, this tournament served as outside hitter Kim Hill's big breakout. In this five-set battle with rival Brazil, Hill led the USA squad with 15 points.
2013 World Grand Prix Final Round vs. Japan
Team USA struggled in the 2013 World Grand Prix final round, and this match versus Japan was the team's only victory. Nicole Fawcett, one of the last players cut from the Rio roster was announced, led the team with 23 points in this gritty last-ditch effort for redemption.
2014 Montreux Volley Masters Gold Medal Match vs. Germany
The 2014 Montreux Volley Masters tournament marked the debut of outside hitter Kelsey Robinson. In this gold-medal match versus Germany Robinson and Kristin Hildebrand each contributed a team-high 15 points.
2014 USA Volleyball Cup vs. Brazil
Anytime Team USA and Brazil take the court opposite each other, the stakes couldn't be higher. In 2014, the U.S. women played Brazil four times in the USA Volleyball Cup, with the Americans defeating Brazil in all four matches. This video is of the first meeting of the series.
2015 World Championships Gold-Medal Match vs. China
Winning World Championships was by far the highlight of the quad for this USWNT. The team turned around a fifth-place World Grand Prix finish and finished on top of the World Champs podium. This match is worth the effort of cueing up four different YouTube videos, promise.
For set two, click here.
For set three, click here.
For set four, click here.
2015 USA Volleyball Cup vs. China
The USA women opened their 2015 season with four friendly matches versus China. Overall, the two teams split 2-2, with this final face-off ending in a satisfying three-set victory for the home team.
2015 World Grand Prix Finals vs. Russia
Russia has had one of the strongest women's teams in the world throughout the last few quads, and this matchup, which was played in front of a rocking crowd in Omaha, Nebraska, could easily be repeated during Rio, assuming Russia avoids a blanket ban due to doping violations.
2016 NORCECA Olympic Qualifier Gold-Medal Match vs. Dominican Republic
You will definitely get chills watching the final of the NORCECA Continental Championship where the U.S. Women's National Team punched its ticket to Rio.
2016 World Grand Prix Gold-Medal Match vs. Brazil
The result of this World Grand Prix final was anything but encouraging for USA Volleyball fans hoping for gold in Rio. The Olympics host Brazil weren't phased by a first-set loss to Team USA and pushed ahead to a five-set victory. We can only hope that the American women learned a thing or two in this match and will be better prepared to face their rivals in Rio.
Check out the first episode of our original documentary All In: USA Women's National Volleyball Team.
2013 World Grand Prix Preliminary Round vs. Brazil
The 2013 World Grand Prix was the first major tournament after London. Although the U.S. finished an unremarkable fourth, this tournament served as outside hitter Kim Hill's big breakout. In this five-set battle with rival Brazil, Hill led the USA squad with 15 points.
2013 World Grand Prix Final Round vs. Japan
Team USA struggled in the 2013 World Grand Prix final round, and this match versus Japan was the team's only victory. Nicole Fawcett, one of the last players cut from the Rio roster was announced, led the team with 23 points in this gritty last-ditch effort for redemption.
2014 Montreux Volley Masters Gold Medal Match vs. Germany
The 2014 Montreux Volley Masters tournament marked the debut of outside hitter Kelsey Robinson. In this gold-medal match versus Germany Robinson and Kristin Hildebrand each contributed a team-high 15 points.
2014 USA Volleyball Cup vs. Brazil
Anytime Team USA and Brazil take the court opposite each other, the stakes couldn't be higher. In 2014, the U.S. women played Brazil four times in the USA Volleyball Cup, with the Americans defeating Brazil in all four matches. This video is of the first meeting of the series.
2015 World Championships Gold-Medal Match vs. China
Winning World Championships was by far the highlight of the quad for this USWNT. The team turned around a fifth-place World Grand Prix finish and finished on top of the World Champs podium. This match is worth the effort of cueing up four different YouTube videos, promise.
For set two, click here.
For set three, click here.
For set four, click here.
2015 USA Volleyball Cup vs. China
The USA women opened their 2015 season with four friendly matches versus China. Overall, the two teams split 2-2, with this final face-off ending in a satisfying three-set victory for the home team.
2015 World Grand Prix Finals vs. Russia
Russia has had one of the strongest women's teams in the world throughout the last few quads, and this matchup, which was played in front of a rocking crowd in Omaha, Nebraska, could easily be repeated during Rio, assuming Russia avoids a blanket ban due to doping violations.
2016 NORCECA Olympic Qualifier Gold-Medal Match vs. Dominican Republic
You will definitely get chills watching the final of the NORCECA Continental Championship where the U.S. Women's National Team punched its ticket to Rio.
2016 World Grand Prix Gold-Medal Match vs. Brazil
The result of this World Grand Prix final was anything but encouraging for USA Volleyball fans hoping for gold in Rio. The Olympics host Brazil weren't phased by a first-set loss to Team USA and pushed ahead to a five-set victory. We can only hope that the American women learned a thing or two in this match and will be better prepared to face their rivals in Rio.
Want to learn more about the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team's journey from London to Rio?
Check out the first episode of our original documentary All In: USA Women's National Volleyball Team.
