COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The U.S. Women’s National Team qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday when it defeated Germany 3-1 (24-26, 25-21, 25-9, 25-16) at the FIVB Road to Paris Olympic Qualifier in ?ód?, Poland.
The U.S. Women finished the tournament with a 6-1 record. They qualified for their 11th straight Olympic Games and 13th overall. The U.S. Women finished first in the group and also improved their world ranking to No. 2.
The U.S. Women dominated Germany on the attack (69-41) led by opposite Annie Drews who entered the match as a substitute to start the second set and led all scorers with 27 points on a match-high 27 kills (.544 hitting efficiency).
“My focus coming into tonight was to just be where my feet were and fill in the gaps as needed,” Drews said. “We sometimes talk about how we want to feel after the match is over. Can we truly say we have nothing left in the tank or finished with no regrets? So that was in the back of my mind tonight; playing in a way where I wouldn’t regret anything.”
Outside hitter Jordan Larson added 17 points on 11 kills, a team-high three aces and three blocks. She also led the team in successful receptions with five and had 16 digs.
“Really proud of our team for how we responded after a difficult loss (to Poland) yesterday,” said Larson, a three-time Olympic medalist. “Props to Germany for coming out strong in set one, but really proud of our team, which stayed steady and secured out ticket to Paris.”
Germany led in blocks (10-8). The teams tied in aces (6-6) and Germany had one more scoring error (16-15).
U.S. outside hitter Kelsey (Robinson) Cook totaled 13 points on 12 kills and one ace. Middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu scored 10 points on five kills, a team-high four blocks and one ace.
Middle Dana Rettke added nine points on seven kills, one block and one ace.
Setter Lauren Carlini scored a point with a kill and set the team to a .315 hitting efficiency. Libero Justine Wong-Orantes led in digs with 21.
Opposite Jordan Thompson played the first set and scored five points on five kills.
Outside hitter Ali Frantti played as a substitute and scored one point with a kill.
The U.S. Women are the second USA Volleyball team to qualify for Paris 2024. The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team has already qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games.
The U.S. Men’s National Team will attempt to qualify Sept. 30-Oct. 8 in Tokyo, Japan.
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