Resilient U.S. Women Outlast France in Thrilling Five-Set Battle to Cap Off VNL Week Two…Read More…
In a match that will be remembered for its relentless energy, emotional swings, and unwavering determination, the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team edged out France in a dramatic five-set showdown to wrap up the second week of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). The final scoreline read 25-18, 22-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-12, in favor of Team USA, who showed remarkable composure under pressure in Istanbul, Turkey.
A Showdown of Grit and Guts
Entering the match with a 4-2 record, the U.S. women were looking to close Week Two on a high note after a narrow defeat to Serbia. France, on the other hand, came in as an underdog but with growing confidence, having taken down the Netherlands earlier in the week. What unfolded between the two squads was nothing short of a volleyball spectacle—a test of resilience, strategy, and sheer willpower.
The U.S. began the match on a dominant note, capitalizing on efficient serving and smart rotations. Veteran outside hitter Jordan Larson led the early charge with a series of well-placed kills and timely digs. Middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu was a force at the net, teaming up with Haleigh Washington to neutralize France’s power attacks. The U.S. claimed the opening set 25-18, making a statement of intent.
However, France was far from done.
France Rallies, Stuns in Middle Sets
In the second set, the French side, led by opposite hitter Lucille Gicquel and outside hitter Amandha Sylves, began to find their rhythm. With precise passing from libero Léa Soldner and aggressive blocking from middle blocker Héléna Cazaute, France flipped the script. Their improved reception allowed setter Nina Stojiljkovic to vary her offense, catching the U.S. off guard. France clinched the second set 25-22 and followed it up with a nail-biting 25-23 win in the third, silencing the American bench momentarily.
“We had a rough patch in those middle sets,” said U.S. coach Karch Kiraly post-match. “France came at us hard, and we weren’t connecting as well offensively. But this team has heart. And tonight, that heart showed up in full force.”
Comeback Fueled by Youth and Experience
Down 2-1, Team USA made tactical adjustments going into the fourth set. Kiraly brought in young outside hitter Khalia Lanier and setter Micha Hancock, whose serve-and-defend approach tilted the momentum back in America’s favor. Hancock’s float serves disrupted France’s first-touch accuracy, while Lanier’s explosive attacks gave the U.S. the firepower they had lacked earlier.
The American block also came alive, with Ogbogu and Washington forming a nearly impenetrable wall. The fourth set swung convincingly to the U.S., 25-17, forcing a decisive fifth set.
Fifth-Set Fireworks
With both teams battling fatigue and nerves, the final set was a microcosm of the entire match—fast, physical, and fiercely competitive. The U.S. jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead, but France answered back with a pair of aces from Stojiljkovic, leveling the score at 7-7.
What followed was a tense exchange of points, with neither side giving an inch. Larson, who returned for the final push, delivered a thunderous cross-court kill to make it 12-11. Then, a critical block by Washington on Gicquel gave the U.S. a two-point cushion. On match point, Hancock served deep, forcing an overpass that Ogbogu smashed down to clinch the set 15-12—and the match.
Numbers That Told the Story
Larson led the team with 18 kills, while Ogbogu added six blocks and four kills of her own. Hancock, in her limited but impactful role, recorded three service aces and orchestrated a balanced offense with 27 assists. For France, Gicquel tallied 21 points, while Sylves added 14, but the European side ultimately ran out of steam in the final set.
The U.S. finished Week Two of the VNL with a 5-2 record and currently sit among the top four in the overall standings—critical for securing a spot in the final round in Bangkok, Thailand. France, despite the loss, impressed with their tenacity and technical improvement, showing they are no longer a team to be underestimated.
Coach Kiraly’s Final Thoughts
“Matches like these test every part of you—your skill, your mental strength, your chemistry,” Kiraly said in the post-game press conference. “I’m proud of how the team responded when things didn’t go our way. That’s the kind of grit we need moving forward.”
What’s Next?
The U.S. women will now regroup and prepare for the third leg of the VNL, which takes place in Brasilia, Brazil. There, they will face tougher competition including reigning Olympic champions Brazil and a resurgent Japan squad. With the Paris 2026 Olympics inching closer, every match in the VNL serves as a crucial building block.
As for France, their spirited performance has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. Despite the loss, their stock is rising fast, and their young core appears poised to contend for international relevance in the years ahead.
A Match to Remember
In a tournament filled with drama and elite performances, this five-set duel between the U.S. and France may well be remembered as one of the defining clashes of the 2025 VNL. More than just a win, it was a reminder of the endurance, teamwork, and raw emotion that make volleyball such an electrifying sport.
For the U.S., the victory was not only hard-earned—it was a declaration that they remain a powerhouse, one capable of rising above adversity and emerging stronger, set by set.
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