Volleyball stumbles against Japanese, lose 3-1

by Rachel Benedict on September 9, 2009

The U.S. Women's Volleyball Team's match against Japan on Wednesday wasn't just any match. It brought with it a frustrating history for the Americans — a trend that continued with the U.S.'s 3-1 loss to the Japanese. In the 2001 Rome Deaflympics, a bad call gave Japan the win against the Americans in the championship game. Then, in Melbourne during the 2005 Deaflympics, the Japanese beat the Americans in the semifinals and went on to lose to Ukraine and take silver. The U.S. finished third. The 2008 Deaf World Championships in Argentina was an exact replica of the 2005 Deaflympics. "We might be the ones with the talent, but they know ways to get points off us," said Krystle Berrigan , who played in the 2005 Deaflympics and was present at the 2001 Deaflympics. The Americans had a lot riding on Wednesday's match: not only pride, but also the outcome plays a factor in determining seeding for the four-team bracket play. In the first set, the Americans started strong with a 5-1 lead. They continued to lead with a block from Katelyn Reese and Ludmila Mounty-Weinstock. Setter Pia Marie Paulone was able surprise the Japanese with tricky sets, including dumps and dinks. As the Americans went up, 11-6, with Mounty-Weinstock serving, Japan called a timeout. Japan forced a few long rallies with Americans Kristina Burke and Valerie Trofimenkoff hitting well, but the Japanese defense was solid. Coach Lynn Ray Boren called a successful timeout while down, 12-9, that gathered two kills from Trofimenkoff. More kills by Mounty-Weinstock and Burke along with tight defense by Foronda and Lehmann kept the Americans' lead at two points. Once Japan tied the Americans at 20, Coach Boren called an effective timeout for the Americans, who stole back the lead after a Japanese error, a kill by Mounty-Weinstock and a block by Trofimenkoff and Foronda. Paulone had an ace to extend the lead to 24-20. An error by Japan gave the Americans the win. "We had a great first set," Mounty-Weinstock said. The second set started tight, and it was dead even for a while with the score difference none or only one point. With blocks from the front row and saves from everybody, especially a sideway-jumping dig from Reese, the Americans went up, 7-4. The Americans' front row defense, headed by Trofimenkoff, kept the Japanese' hits on their side, giving the U.S. back-row defense a bit of rest. Decisions at the net proved to be vital in this match, influencing the outcome of particular rallies. Foronda led the Americans' offense in hitting as they fought to stay on top of Japan. It wasn't long before Japan had the lead at 13-11, and Coach Boren called a timeout. Japan led by as many as five points near the end of the set. The U.S. made a near-comeback that fell short, and they lost, 25-22. Serving wasn't up to par, and that played a factor in the loss, Reese said. The third set saw the same nail-biting action, with both teams neck-and-neck. Japan gradually built a lead of 8-4. "We lost our momentum after losing the second set," Reese said, "We didn't have enough spirit to keep us going." After an error by Japan and a Foronda kill, the Americans cut the Japanese lead to 16-14 and went on to tie the score at 18 with a Reese block and an Amanda Kreiger back-row kill. Japan went up, 23-20, before the Americans found holes in the Japanese defense. Paulone had a successful dink, and kills by Burke and Foronda tied the score at 23. The U.S. forced Japan to make mental mistakes that the Americans were able to take advantage of. However, the Japanese defense remained strong and denied the Americans a win through long rallies that brought fans to their feet. Japan won the third set, 28-26. In the fourth set, Japan earned eight points off American errors. "We couldn't move on after mistakes and dwelled on them," Mounty-Weinstock said. Japan started off with an 11-8 lead that forced Coach Boren to call a timeout. "Hit hard and play clean!" Paulone told her teammates. "We've got nothing to lose!" The timeout was futile, and Japan began to pull away to 15-9 despite the Americans' efforts. Reese became a more effective player, blocking two hits, but it wasn't enough. "That's not enough! We need more!" Coach Boren said after a Burke kill seemed to bring a glimmer of optimism to the Americans. Trofimenkoff refused to give up and brought a block as well as a kill. Foronda followed with a kill, cutting Japan's lead to three at 19-16. Japan had a kill and forced an error, building their lead to five, when Coach Boren called another timeout that failed to affect the Japanese players as they went on to win, 25-18. "They are a good team with great defense," Reese said. The Americans play Belarus on Thursday.

(Photo by Hugh Carey)

Volleyball stumbles against Japanese, lose 3-1

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