USA VOLLEYBALL RELEASE
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team announced the selection of Illini rising senior setter Jordyn Poulter to the 2018 Pan American Cup roster, with the 14-player team set to compete in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on July 8-14.
"I'm honored and excited to be able to represent the USA once again on the international stage," said Poulter. "We have been hard at work for the last eight weeks and we are anxious and ready to compete at the Pan Am Cup. Go USA!"
Poulter joins seven players on the roster who are making their international debuts, with the Aurora, Colo., native the only player with remaining collegiate eligibility.
With the U.S. Women's National Team coaching staff busy competing in the inaugural FIVB Volleyball Nations League, the U.S. Pan American Cup team has had a different set of coaches training the squad since early May. Jon Newman-Gonchar, the associate head women's volleyball coach at University of Arkansas, will serve as the head coach for the U.S. Pan American Cup team.
Newman-Gonchar will be assisted by Alisha Glass Childress, a 2016 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, and JJ Van Niel, who recently accepted the associate head coach position at University of Southern California. Natalie Morgan, the assistant women's volleyball coach at Loyola Marymount University, will handle the technical coordinator duties. John Xie has been selected as the team manager.
Most of the 14 players have been training together in Anaheim, official host city for the U.S. Women's National Team, since early May. During that time period, the squad has gained valuable experience heading into the Pan Am Cup.M.
The U.S. will play Trinidad & Tobago to open Pan Am Cup pool play on July 8, followed by Cuba on July 9 and Puerto Rico on July 10. The quarterfinals are set for July 11 with the winners advancing to the semifinals on July 13. The medal round concludes the tournament on July 14. FloVolleyball.tv will stream all the matches and available in the United States via a subscription service.
U.S. Women's National Team Pan American Cup Roster
# - Name (Position, Height, College, Hometown)
1 – Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, University of Illinois, Aurora, Colorado)
4 – Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, University of Nebraska, Cypress, California)
7 – Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, University of Wisconsin, Aurora, Illinois)
8 – Krystal Rivers (OPP, 5-11, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama)
10 – Simone Lee (OH, 6-1, Penn State University, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin)
13 – Sarah Wilhite (OH, 6-2, University of Minnesota, Eden Prairie, Minnesota)
14 – Adora Anae (OH, 6-1, University of Utah, Punaluu, Hawaii)
15 – Haleigh Washington (M, 6-3, Penn State University, Colorado Springs, Colorado)
18 – Aiyana Whitney (OPP, 6-4, Penn State University, Norwood, New Jersey)
20 – Amanda Benson (L, 5-7, University of Oregon, Litchfield Park, Arizona)
21 – Paige Tapp (M, 6-1, University of Minnesota, Stewartville, Minnesota)
22 – Molly McCage (M, 6-3, University of Texas, Spring, Texas)
24 – Kadie Rolfzen (OH, 6-3, University of Nebraska, Papillion, Nebraska)
25 – Chiaka Ogbogu (M, 6-2, University of Texas, Coppell, Texas)
Head Coach: Jon Newman Gonchar (associate head coach at University of Arkansas)
Assistant Coach: Alisha Glass Childress (2016 U.S. Women's Olympic Team bronze medalist)
Assistant Coach: JJ Van Niel (associate head coach at University of Southern California)
Technical Coordinator: Natalie Morgan (assistant coach at Loyola Marymount University)
Team Manager: John Xie
Athletic Trainer: Salvador Vallejo
Pan American Cup Schedule
Pool B
July 8: USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 10 a.m. ET
July 9: USA vs. Cuba, 6 p.m. ET
July 10: USA vs. Puerto Rico, 6 p.m. ET
Pan American Cup Playoff Schedule
July 11: Quarterfinals
July 13: Semifinals
July 14: Medal Round
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