Huskers at the U20 World Championship

Three Husker freshmen – Ally Batenhorst, Lindsay Krause and Lexi Rodriguez – are among the 12 members of Team USA competing at the FIVB U20 World Championship in Europe this month.

The United States finished the first round of pool play with a 3-0 record, defeating Russia, Thailand and Turkey to win Pool C. By winning its pool, the United States advanced to the top bracket of the second round of pool play, where the Americans are grouped with Brazil, the Netherlands and Russia in Pool E. Team USA opened the second round of pool play with a 3-1 victory over Brazil on Tuesday.

The Americans’ finish in Pool E will determine in which semifinal they compete during the final round, which begins on Saturday, July 17. The grand final will take place on Sunday, July 18. On the same day, the bronze medal match and all the other classification matches will be played to determine the final standings.

This page will be updated with results, a brief recap and live streaming links each day Team USA plays.

USA 3, Brazil 1 (July 13)

(25-22, 27-29, 25-20, 25-14)

Team USA opened the top bracket of pool play with a 3-1 victory over Brazil, which finished as the runner-up in its pool during the first round of pool play. Batenhorst was second on the team with 11 kills, and she added two blocks and a pair of service aces. Krause finished with five kills on only nine swings. Rodriguez, the USA libero, and Batenhorst were each credited with nine digs.

WATCH MATCH REPLAY   l   MATCH STATS   l   MATCH PHOTOS

USA 3, Turkey 0 (July 11)

(25-18, 27-25, 25-22)

Team USA finished its perfect first round of pool play with a sweep of Turkey. Batenhorst led the Americans in kills for the third straight match, finishing with 11 kills on .308 hitting. Krause had two kills and a block late in set three to help the Americans turn a one-point lead into a 22-18 advantage, and she closed out the 25-22 victory with a kill on match point. Krause finished with three kills on seven error-free swings with one block. Rodriguez served as the Team USA libero for the entire match. 

After the first round of pool play was completed, Batenhorst led Team USA and ranked fifth among all players in the tournament with 36 kills.

WATCH MATCH REPLAY   l   MATCH STATS   l   MATCH PHOTOS

USA 3, Thailand 0 (July 10)

(25-15, 25-8, 25-13)

Team USA made quick work of Thailand to win its second straight match. Batenhorst had nine kills, tying for the team high with Emily Londot, who was the national freshman of the year at Ohio State last season. Batenhorst produced her nine kills on only 17 swings, committing just one error while hitting .471, and she added one service ace. Krause had three kills on five error-free swings. Rodriguez was impressive again on defense as Team USA’s libero.

WATCH MATCH REPLAY   l   MATCH STATS   l   MATCH PHOTOS

USA 3, Russia 1 (July 9)

(25-20, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17)

All three Huskers played key roles in the Team USA four-set victory, with Batenhorst (outside hitter) and Rodriguez (libero) each earning the start. Batenhorst led the Americans with 16 kills, committing only three errors on 37 swings to post a .351 attack percentage. Krause had two kills on eight error-free swings, and she also recorded a pair of blocks. Rodriguez served as the Team USA libero for the entire match.

WATCH MATCH REPLAY   l   MATCH STATS   l   MATCH PHOTOS

Upcoming Team USA Schedule at FIVB U20 World Championship

Wednesday, July 14 vs. Russia, 7:30 a.m. (Central) (Preliminary Round – Pool Play)   WATCH LIVE

Thursday, July 15 vs. Netherlands, 10:30 a.m. (Central) (Preliminary Round – Pool Play)

Saturday, July 17 vs. TBA (Final Round)

Sunday, July 18 vs. TBA (Final Round)