Hamamatsu, Japan, September 18, 2019 – USA defeated the Netherlands 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-19) in the second match on the fourth day of the FIVB Women’s World Cup at Hamamatsu Arena on Wednesday.
USA coach Karch Kiraly: "This team we played today, the Netherlands, is a really good team. They impressed us a lot, especially in their win against Brazil. We always expect a great battle from them. They have some special offensive weapons, especially their opposite, the No. 10 [Lonneke Sloetjes] who’s always difficult to try and block and defend.
"We know they’re a very good serving team and so we have to be really prepared as receivers and I think our receivers did an exceptional job today. The Netherlands are young and getting better, so they’re going to be a force for many years. I have great respect for their programme and great respect for my good friend and former colleague Jamie and so we always look forward to matches like this. Even between friends, we have great competition. Both teams make each other better."
USA captain Jordan Larson: "We knew it would be tough today; the Netherlands are a great team. I think we got better as the match went on. I’m really proud of my team for staying in it and grinding through. It was an all-around team effort.
Netherlands coach Jamie Morrison: "USA is one of the best teams in the world and they played a really good match today. I’m very happy that we got a chance to play against them and make us better and we’re going to learn from this and move on to the match tomorrow against Serbia. USA is one of the best passing and serving teams in the world; that battle’s always important but especially important in this match. We won that battle against Brazil; we lost that battle today against a great receiving team and a great serving team."
Netherlands captain Maret Balkestein-Grothues: "Congratulations to USA. I think they outplayed us today. They had a very good serve and much better block and defence, and we had no answer to that. The result is disappointing but we will still have seven more matches to go and we have to learn from it and move on."