MADISON, Wis. – Former Badger Lauren Carlini and
Dana Rettke, a junior on the Wisconsin volleyball team, aided the U.S. Women's National team to the FIVB Volleyball Nations League gold medal on Sunday in Nanjing, China.
The U.S. defeated Poland, 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-15, 26-24) and Brazil, 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 20-25, 25-21) in pool play. In the semifinals, the Red, White and Blue downed China, 3-1 (25-11, 15-25, 25-17, 25-20) before coming from behind to defeat Brazil in the gold-medal match, 3-2 (20-25, 22-25, 25-15, 25-21, 15-13).
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"I am so pumped for our team and USA Volleyball on winning the VNL," said Carlini. "We needed a full team effort to win not only those matches, but many of our matches over the past six weeks. We showed some serious heart and grit coming back from 0-2 to win 15-13 against Brazil in the fifth (set).
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"We'll take a little break and it's back to work in an attempt to qualify for the Olympics the first week in August. Go USA!"
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Carlini set the U.S. to wins over Poland and Brazil while playing the first two sets vs. China. The 6-foot-2 setter also set the USAV team to the come-from-behind win over Brazil in the championship with a team-best five blocks. In the tournament, Carlini had four kills, one service ace and eight blocks.
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A 6-foot-8 middle blocker, Rettke won gold in her first international tournament.
"Being able to win gold in my first international tournament was amazing," Rettke said. "Getting to do it alongside and against some of the best players in a world was so special to me. I am so happy to have this experience, and represent USA. I loved playing with everyone on my team. I learned so much from them, and while they are all great at volleyball, they are even better people."
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Rettke played in the pool match vs. Brazil, tallying five kills, one block and one service ace for seven points.
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