Fawcett and U.S. Women’s National Team Conclude Play in Grand Prix

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., August 17, 2009 – Former Nittany Lion Nicole Fawcett and the U.S. Women’s National Team concluded play in the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary rounds in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday. The USA finished ninth with a 3-6 overall record after going 1-2 in Pool I during the weekend.
 
On Friday, August 14, the U.S. women suffered a 3-1 (25-21, 26-24, 19-25, 25-17) setback to Russia. Fawcett was one of 10 players to score in the match tallying one point. Up next for the USA was NORCECA rival Puerto Rico on Saturday, August 15. The U.S. women swept Puerto Rico for a 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-22) victory.
 
The U.S. women concluded play against Thailand on Sunday. Despite a late comeback against Thailand, USA lost 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 15-11). Fawcett, who came off the bench in the first four sets and started the fifth set, totaled 10 points.
 
Fawcett, and teammate Christa Harmotto who is also a member of the U.S. Women's National Team, were four-year members of the Penn State women's volleyball team under head coach Russ Rose. Fawcett, a four-time All-American, and Harmotto, a three-time All-American, 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: USA def. Dominican Republic 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 21-25, 23-21
Aug. 8: Netherlands def. USA 25-12, 22-25, 16-25, 25-20, 15-13
Aug. 9: Germany def. USA 25-22, 25-18, 27-25

Pool I - at Bangkok, Thailand (Keelawes Gym)
Aug. 14: Russia def. USA 25-21, 26-24, 19-25, 25-17
Aug. 15: USA def. Puerto Rico 25-16, 25-18, 25-22
Aug. 16: Thailand def. USA 19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 15-11


FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round Standings
Brazil 8-0 (plays Korea on Aug. 16)
Netherlands 8-1
China 7-2
Russia 5-3 (plays Puerto Rico on Aug. 16)
Japan 5-4
Germany 5-4
Thailand 4-5
Poland 4-5
USA 3-6
Puerto Rico 1-7 (plays Russia on Aug. 16)
Korea 1-7 (plays Brazil on Aug. 16)
Dominican Republic 1-8