USA Women Capture 2001 NORCECA Championship

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic -- For the first time in 18 years the
USA Women’s National Volleyball Team claimed the gold medal at the
NORCECA Zone Championships Sunday evening. Team USA defeated the number
one team in the world for the second time in three days to claim the
title. The U.S. defeated Cuba in four sets (20-25, 25-22, 25-18, 27-25)
and clinched a bid in the prestigious six-team FIVB Grand Champions Cup
in Japan later this year.

USA outside hitter Tara Cross-Battle (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach
State) was named the tournament’s most valuable player. She was excited
to break Cuba’s long hold on the NORCECA Zone title.
“I am so happy for this team,” said Cross-Battle. “We played so well
when it counted. Every player deserves this win. It feels real good to
know that we beat Cuba for the gold medal after nearly 20 years. It is
finally our turn to enjoy it.”

Team USA won the tournament despite the absence of outside hitter Logan
Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah). Tom is a junior at Stanford University and
did not travel with the team.

USA libero Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas/Texas A&M) was awarded the
tournament’s best receiver award. Sykora said it was exciting to see the
American Flag raised following the win.
“I think it is wonderful that Team USA can come together through
everything and win the gold tonight,” said Sykora. “The National Anthem
was the greatest moment tonight and the most memorable. To be standing
on the first place stand for two tournaments in a row is amazing and I
hope we only proceed to get better.”

USA opposite hitter Sarah Noriega (Ulysses, Kan./Loyola Marymount) turned in
a great performance in the finals. Noriega led all scorers with 21 points,
including 15 kills and six blocks. Danielle Scott (Baton Rouge, La./Long
Beach State) finished with 14 kills and four blocks. Noriega was named best
blocker. USA setter Robyn Ah Mow (Honolulu, Hawaii/Univ. of Hawaii) was the
tournament’s best setter. USA middle blocker Heather Bown (Yorba Linda,
Calif./Univ. of Hawaii) rounded out the U.S. award winners collecting the
best attacker award.

Team USA returns to Colorado Springs, Colo., to train for the Grand
Champions Cup, played November 13-18. Other teams competing at the Cup
include Japan, Russia, China, Brazil and Korea. The U.S. will be
attempting to win its second major world competition this year. They
captured the 2001 FIVB Grand Prix for the first time since 1995 earlier
this year.

USA NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER - NORCECA

#2 Danielle Scott 6'3" Middle Long Beach State Baton Rouge, LA
#3 Kelly Campbell 6'1" Setter Univ Colorado Corona Del Mar,CA
#4 Benishe Roberts 6'2" Middle Long Beach State Kent, WA
#5 Stacy Sykora 5'10" Libero Texas A & M Univ. Burleson, TX
#6 Elisabeth Bachman 6'3" Middle UCLA Farmington, MN
#7 Heather Bown 6'3" Middle Univ. of Hawaii Yorba Linda, CA
#9 Therese Crawford 5'10" Outside Univ. of Hawaii Kalamazoo, MI
#10 Nicole Branagh 6'2" Outside Univ. of Minnesota Orinda, CA
#11 Robyn Ah Mow 5'9" Setter Univ. of Hawaii Honolulu, HI
#13 Tara Cross-Battle 6'0" Outside Long Beach State Long Beach, CA
#16 Sarah Noriega 6'3" Opp Loyola Marymount Ulysses, KA
#18 Jenni Whitehead 6'3" Outside Univ of Florida Jenison, Mich

Coaching Staff

Toshiaki Yoshida - Head Coach
Kevin Hambly - Assistant Coach
Robyn Johnson - Technical Assistant







_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp