ARLINGTON, Texas — American volleyball fans could not ask for more.
Saturday lines up as what could be one of the great days in women’s international volleyball on U.S. soil when the Volleyball Nations League semifinals pits China vs. Poland and the USA vs. Türkiye.
Four of the world’s great powers in action less than 54 weeks before first serve in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The USA and Türkiye already staged one epic VNL battle when the Americans came away with a 25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 11-25, 15-9 victory June 4 in Antalya, Türkiye, in what was the fourth and last match of the first round.
The USA has only lost twice in this VNL, in five to Japan and in five to China. On Thursday in the quarterfinals, the Americans evened that score by ousting Japan in four.
Türkiye finished the three VNL rounds 9-3, losing to the USA before getting swept by Poland and then also falling to Japan in five. Friday, Türkiye swept Italy.
China advanced by beating Brazil in four and Poland won its quarterfinal match with Germany in four.
The China-Poland match starts at 4 p.m. Central in what will be a close to sold-out College Park Center at the University of Texas Arlington with first serve for USA-Türkiye at 7:30 p.m. Both matches can be seen on volleyballworld.tv.
Against Japan, USA coach Karch Kiraly used 11 of the 14 players on his roster and got tremendous production from three young players who came off the bench. Outside Avery Skinner had nine kills in 15 errorless attacks, two blocks and four digs; middle Dana Rettke had three kills in four errorless swings and two blocks; and outside Ali Frantti had three kills in her brief appearance. They were key components in a 25-23, 25-21, 18-25, 25-18 victory.
Khalia Lanier, who started, had six kills, three blocks and 13 digs. Asjia O’Neal, who didn’t play and still has a season at Texas, has been stellar when called upon in VNL.
“Right from the first serve of the first match, week one against Serbia, Avery, Khalia, Asjia have not backed down, never once looked overwhelmed, and they’ve played lots of good volleyball,” Kiraly said.
“Avery struggled a little against Japan in week two, Khalia wasn’t amazing the other night, but they both are really impressive in terms of being thrown into the deep end and never looking like they’re close to drowning.”
While the USA came away with the…
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