Match Preview: US vs. Netherlands

The US Women, fresh from their five set, 2 hour 19 minute marathon victory over Dominican Republic on Friday, take on the undefeated Netherlands team today in Chinese Taipei. Netherlands is led by Captain Manon Flier, who was the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 World Grand Prix, at which Netherlands won the gold medal. So far in the 2009 World Grand Prix, Netherlands has defeated Japan, 3-0 (Post Match Press Conference), Poland, 3-0 (Post Match Press Conference), Thailand, 3-1 (Post Match Press Conference) and Germany, 3-1 (Post Match Press Conference).

The US Women have wins over Puerto Rico, 3-2 (Post Match Press Conference) and Dominican Republic, 3-2 (Post Match Press Conference), with losses to Germany, 3-0 (Post Match Press Conference) and undefeated Brazil, 3-0 (Post Match Press Conference).

The overall World Grand Prix standings to date:
1 Brazil 4-0
2 China 4 -0
3 Netherlands 4-0
4 Russia 3-1
5 Germany 2-2
6 USA 2-2
7 Thailand 2-2
8 Poland 1-3
9 Japan 1-3
10 Dominican Republic 1-3
11 Puerto Rico 0-4
12 Korea 0-4

The FIVB will be providing Live Score for the match. Below is the Week 2 Roster for the US Women:

# – Name (Pos, Ht, Hometown, College)
1 – Nicole Fawcett (OPP/OH, 6-4, Zanesfield, Ohio, Penn State)
4 C – Angela McGinnis (S, 5-11, Fraser, Mich., Florida)
5 – Stacy Sykora (L, 5-10, Burleson, Texas, Texas A&M)
6 – Nicole Davis (L, 5-6, Stockton, Calif., Southern California)
8 – Cynthia Barboza (OH, 6-0, Long Beach, Calif., Stanford)
9 – Alexis Crimes (MB, 6-3, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Long Beach State)
10 – Kristin Richards (OH, 6-1, Orem, Utah, Stanford)
11 – Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Nebraska)
12 – Nancy Metcalf (OPP, 6-1, Hull, Iowa, Nebraska)
13 – Tracy Stalls (MB, 6-4, Denver, Colo., Nebraska)
15 – Courtney Thompson (S, 5-7, Kent, Wash., Washington)
18 – Foluke Akinradewo (MB, 6-3, Plantation, Fla., Stanford)

Head Coach: Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand)
Assistant Coach: Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.)
Assistant Coach: Beth Launiere (Salt Lake City, Utah) – at Brazil and Chinese Taipei
Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.) – at Thailand and Finals
Technical Coordinator/Team Leader: Jamie Morrison (Dana Point, Calif.)
Athletic Trainer: Jill Wosmek