Shreveport-Bossier City, USA, August 3, 2019 – The United States is one step closer to a Olympic Games berth, but it needed to battle and scrap to rally past Bulgaria 3-2 (21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10) in the Tokyo Volleyball Qualification Pool C tournament on Saturday.
USA coach Karch Kiraly: “I have to give Bulgaria a lot of credit. They played a great game. No.16 (Elitsa Vasileva) was all we could handle and more. We knew she was good, she had a very strong match. It took a while for us to get going, but Jordan Thompson came in and gave us a lift, and so did Kelsey Robinson. Eventually we started figuring things out. It was pretty rough, and we got pushed to the brink and I loved the response that our team had down 2-1.”
On bringing in Kelsey Robinson to start sets 4 and 5: “We brought Kelsey in for a little of bit of energy. It seemed like things were getting a little flat at the end of the third set. Kim Hill was playing very strong volleyball, but we needed a little bit of spark. It doesn’t always happen, but Kelsey was able to do that.”
USA captain Jordan Larson: “It was amazing. I am still trying to catch my breath and take it all in. It was a stressful match. There was a lot riding on the line. It was important for us to take away the win.”
On Jordan Thompson and Kelsey Robinson coming off the bench: “It was fantastic. Jordan Thompson, she is still in college, but she has some guts. I am really proud her. Kelsey was steady and did her job.”
USA player Kelsey Robinson: “I am really proud of our team. I am proud how we fought. Bulgaria played scrappy, swung high and made some great digs. It was a really challenging match. I am proud how every single person on the team made an effort to help.”
On Jordan Thompson: “She has been a phenomenal athlete and player throughout the summer. To watch her play and slowing get better and adjust to this level is not easy. To see what her potential can be is exciting for USA.”
On team’s depth: “We train with 35-40 girls this summer, every single girl in the gym and compete. It just pushes us all to compete. It is a testament to how deep our line-up is.”
Bulgaria coach Ivan Petkov: “I am not feeling good right now. It was very close, it came down to small things. We have to work and continue to improve. We have a good future for our team as we are very young. I have to thank my players for today. They played very good volleyball, good defence, good offence.”
Bulgaria captain Elitsa Vasileva: “I think the difference was already in the fourth set. We were up 2-1. The experience they had versus our experience was the main difference.”