LONG BEACH – The United States women’s national volleyball team had a triumphant weekend at Long Beach State’s Walter Pyramid, where they hosted the Netherlands for a series of pre-Olympic matches. This series, known as the USA Volleyball Cup, served as the final tune up for the No. 2-ranked U.S. National team before they head to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Coached by Karch Kiraly, a former Olympian and central figure in the U.S. Men’s National team’s gold medal victories in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic games, the American women showcased their readiness to defend their historic gold medal. Kiraly’s experience and leadership have been pivotal in preparing the team for the upcoming challenges in Paris.
The matches took place on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with all games beginning at 7 p.m. The anticipation was high, and the community of Long Beach showed robust support for the national team. In the second match of the series on Friday night, the U.S. team swept the Netherlands 3-0, with scores of 25-21, 25-20, and 25-13, demonstrating their dominance and preparation for the Olympic stage.
“This will be our Olympic Team’s final competition on American soil before we depart for France,” said U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly. “It will also be a great chance for our fans to show their support, and for our team to express its gratitude and appreciation. We hope to see as many of you as possible there, so let’s Pack the Pyramid, and Prep for Paris!”
This series of matches not only provided a competitive edge but also allowed the fans to bid farewell to both the women’s and men’s national teams. After the final match on Sunday evening, a 3-0 sweep for USA, both teams took to the court for an Olympic send-off celebration, acknowledging the fans’ support and setting their sights on medal aspirations in Paris.
While there aren’t any local natives on the USA women’s roster, several players hail from California, adding a regional connection for the local supporters. The encounter between the U.S. and the Netherlands has been historically significant. The U.S. defeated the Netherlands for the bronze in Rio in 2016, while the Netherlands bested the Americans at the 2018 World Championships. Their last meeting was at the 2021 Volleyball Nations League, where the USA emerged victorious.
The enthusiasm and high turnout for the matches at the Walter Pyramid highlight the strong community support and excitement as both U.S. national teams prepare to represent their country on the world stage.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
