Olympic  Watch 2000

USA Women Qualify for 2000 Olympics
Part 1 Part 2

January 10th, 2000
By Rick Capone

  Lakeland, Florida (Jan 8, 2000) -- It came down to one match for the USA Women's National Volleyball team at the Nike Americas'
Volleyball Challenge, the NORCECA Women's Olympic Qualifier.  Defeat the Canadian Women's National Team and they would qualify for the Olympics.  Lose and, well, they didn't want to think about it.

In a closely fought match at The Lakeland Center, in Lakeland, Florida, in front of a very supportive crowd, the USA defeated a very determined Canadian squad 19-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-22 and qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia later this year.

Leading the way for the USA was middle blocker and tournament Most Valuable Player, Danielle Scott.  Danielle had an impressive 10 kills, but more importantly, nine key blocks that knocked Canada out of rhythm and turned the match around for the USA in the second game.

USA outside hitter, Sarah Noriega also had an excellent match, adding 14 kills and four blocks, while outside hitter, Tara Cross-Battle added 15 kills and two blocks.  USA Setter, Charlene Tagaloa had 44 assists on the night.

Canada was led by outside hitter, Janis Kelly who had 16 kills.  Outside hitter, Brigitte Soucy added 14 kills, while opposite Genevieve Lamarre had 10 kills.  Canada's setter, Miroslava Pribylva had 35 assists.

It was the blocking of Scott, however, that turned the match around for the USA after Canada controlled most of the first game.

Canadians Started Out Solid in the first game and kept the match close all the way.  Their sideout game was superb, as USA head coach, Mick Haley noted after the match.

"We were pretty tight (in the first game), but you know you have to give Canada credit," he said.  "Their first ball sideout was down almost every time, and they did that so well against the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.  Against Puerto Rico in the first game, Puerto Rico had nine serves against Canada for game point and six of those nine were in the court and Canada (had the) sideout every time.  So I knew right then that Canada was a very, very good team and very focused, because even against a lesser opponent, it is hard to keep your concentration and sideout over and over again.  So I think you have to give Canada credit."

01/10/99 - State of the Beach
An online interview with former interim director of WPVA, David Williams about professional beach volleyball.