Fawcett and Harmotto Aid U.S. Women in FIVB Grand Prix Play

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Aug. 3, 2009 – Two former Nittany Lion women’s volleyball players made an impact for the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2009 FIVB Grand Prix pool play over the weekend. Nicole Fawcett and Christa Harmotto helped guide the U.S. in three games at Maracanazihno Gym in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 31 – Aug. 2.
 
The U.S women opened play against Germany on Friday, July 31. Despite suffering a 3-0 (15-25, 15-25, 25-16) sweep by Germany, both Fawcett and Harmotto made an impact on the court. Fawcett led the U.S. women with 11 points on seven kills, three blocks and one ace, while Harmotto tallied five points on three kills and two blocks.
 
On Saturday, the U.S. overcame a two-set deficit for a 3-2 (21-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-14, 15-13) victory against Puerto Rico. Fawcett led all scorers with 27 points with a match-high 24 kills and three blocks. Harmotto totaled two points with two kills in the match.
 
The U.S. women rounded out the weekend suffering a 3-0 loss to Brazil on Sunday, Aug. 2. Fawcett led the team with 11 points (11 kills). Head coach Hugh McCutcheon started Fawcett at opposite in all three matches, while Harmotto started at middle blocker in two matches.
 
Fawcett and Harmotto were four-year members of the Penn State women’s volleyball team under head coach Russ Rose. The pair helped guide the Nittany Lions to back-to-back NCAA National Titles in their final two seasons at PSU.

Schedule and Results for U.S. Women’s National Team
Pool A - at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Maracanazihno Gym)
July 31: Germany def. USA, 25-15, 25-15, 25-16
Aug. 1: USA def. Puerto Rico, 21-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-14, 15-13
Aug. 2: Brazil def. USA 25-18, 25-22, 25-13
Pool D - at Li Miao, Chinese Taipei (Miao Li Country Gymnasium)
Aug. 7: vs. Dominican Republic, 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 8: vs. Netherlands, 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 9: vs. Germany, 4:30 p.m.
Pool I - at Bangkok, Thailand (Keelawes Gym)
Aug. 14: vs. Russia, 2 p.m.
Aug. 15: vs. Puerto Rico, 2 p.m.
Aug. 16: vs. Thailand, 4:30 p.m.