LIMA, Peru - University of Oregon sophomore Lauren Plum and the U.S. National Junior Team ended its run in the FIVB Volleyball Women's Junior World Championships by matching its best-ever finish in Sunday's finale.
The U.S. squad lost to China by a 20-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 score to finish fourth overall and end with a 4-4 record in the tourney.
The Americans hit .324 as a team, and outside hitter Haley Eckerman led the squad in kills (14) and points (18). On defense, Eckerman also led in blocks (2), and the tourney's top libero Natalie Haggalund came up with 10 digs.
Plum ended with six assists and fellow setter Hannah Allison added 18 in the category.
Later in the day, Italy beat top-ranked Brazil by a 21-25, 25-13, 25-20, 25-22 score for the gold medal.
The 18 points contributed by Grecia Herrada of Peru were quite valuable in the teams win. The skipper of the Peruvian team Clarivett Yllescas, Vivian Baella, and Brenda Uribe were also vital to the team’s success. They registered 14 points apiece. Haley Eckerman of the oppossing team was named top-scorer of the match as she clipped 24 points for the U.S. Likewise, Carly Wopat and Madelyn Hustson added 19 and 16 points, respectively.
The uproar of fans and happy slogans encouraged the home team to take a good start in the game. The better attack and defence strategies in the opening set enabled the Peruvian squad to enjoy dominance over their opponents. American team resisted and tried to hinder the march of the hosts but could not hold them back from winning the first set. After dropping the opening set, U.S. team came up with a different plan and levelled the game score by capturing the second set. The see-saw battle continued in the third set and Peru once again extended its lead to 2-1. Americans denied the Peruvian efforts and claimed fourth set to create the dead-lock of 2-2.
It was an equal chance for both teams to make it to the top in the final set of the game. The 15-point golden set was an action pacted affair. The exchange of fast spikes and deadly aces introduced a new rhythem to the clash. The hosts slightly got better and managed to take lead as they closed the final set with a six point lead and announced match victory.
“Congratulations to Peru. They did a very good job and it was a great match. On our side of the net, we failed in the serve and receive and couldn't get into any rhythm. Furthermore, we had problems with the crowd and we let this situation affected us." Said the U.S. captain Kelly Reeves after the match. Her Peruvian counterpart Clarivet Yllescas also added: “I am happy for winning. We knew that it would be hard because we didn’t know very well the rival, but fortunately we could obtain the victory. Congratulations to USA, it was a good match.”
Robert Browning, the U.S. mentor congratulated the winning team and stated that they deserved to win. Speaking of his own team’s performance, he said that they were under immense pressure, committed too many mistakes and eventually had to give in.
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