Claire Chaussee has but to play a minute within the USA ladies’s nationwide group’s health club, however aspires to take action.
Eye-popping performances within the first two weeks of Athlete Limitless’s volleyball season definitely haven’t harm her odds of getting on the radar of coach Karch Kiraly and his national-team employees. Maybe phrase would possibly even filter all the way down to Karch via the six members of his program taking part in with AU — Sydney Hilley, Morgan Hentz, Brooke Nuneviller, Danielle Hart, Nia Reed and Kendall White – that Chausee simply may very well be value a glance.
“I haven’t been in (the health club with the nationwide group) and I haven’t been requested, so we’ll wait and see,” Chaussee stated. “However taking part in with these ladies (on the national-team roster) right here is unquestionably going to assist me. Simply having the ability to hear about their experiences, I’m undoubtedly intrigued, and I consider that might be an amazing alternative for me.”
Lower than a yr out of faculty after a spectacular profession that lifted Louisville’s program to dizzying new heights, she has gained significant skilled repetitions as an AU rookie whereas ringing up large numbers and shortly incomes the respect of her pay-for-play friends. On Tuesday, Chaussee was the primary participant picked within the AU draft — for the second week in a row — and he or she has been voted first MVP in three of her six AU matches.
Athletes Limitless’s third-week round-robin might be held Friday, Sunday and Monday at Legacy Park in Mesa, Arizona. Three matches might be streamed on ESPN+, and the 2 on Sunday and the nightcap on Monday will air on cable ESPNU. The captains this week are Hilley, Hentz, Leah Edmond and Jenna Rosenthal.
Week 3 schedule
Friday, October 20
Staff Hilley vs. Staff Hentz, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Staff Edmond vs. Staff Rosenthal, 9:30 p.m., ESPN+
Sunday, October 22
Staff Rosenthal vs. Staff Hentz, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Staff Hilley vs. Staff Edmond, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU
Monday, October 23
Staff Rosenthal vs. Staff Hilley, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Staff Hentz vs. Staff Edmond, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU
(All instances Jap)
Golden alternative for Chaussee
The primary center blocker to put on the captain’s mantle in Athletes Limitless, Rosenthal chosen Chaussee first general, little doubt hoping for a similar explosive level scoring on the pins that has moved the 6-0 outdoors hitter from eleventh within the standings after Week 1 to sixth place after Week 2, two spots out of a possible captaincy.
“I’m wanting ahead to taking part in with this group generally,” Chaussee stated. “Jenna has put collectively a very good group and I’m desperate to see what we will do. We now have a whole lot of older, extra mature, sensible gamers on the group, so I’m enthusiastic about that.”
A big information merchandise hit earlier than the draft. Celebrity Bethania De La Cruz, the highest point-scorer after two weeks of competitors, might be out this week after being recalled by the Dominican Republic’s nationwide group for responsibility within the Pan American Video games. That seemingly supplies the 23-year-old Chaussee with an opportunity to make hay whereas “Betty” is away, even when Chaussee’s focus is extra about serving to her group win than on the leaderboard.
“I’ve discovered that group wins are extra necessary than particular person factors,” she stated. “So when you can mentally simply get out of your individual head, not focus simply on what you’re doing, however look extra on the complete group, then you definitely’re going to have extra success. Even when I hit .500 and have 25 kills, however my group misplaced, I’m in all probability not going to maneuver up a lot.”
Rosenthal is a shining instance of the worth of “group factors” in AU’s non-traditional format, finest described as a person competitors inside a group construction. Rosenthal has totaled 1,423 factors, good for fifth within the standings, with 1,000 coming from having performed on two undefeated squads. She assumed one of many 4 captains’ roles when De La Cruz was made inactive.
The previous Marquette star snapped up Alisha Childress within the second spherical (eighth general), making her the primary setter picked. Childress, 35, an Olympic bronze medalist with the USA ladies’s nationwide group in 2016 and a gold medalist within the World Championships in 2014, might be Chaussee’s third setter in as many weeks.
Extra “butter” on the plate?
Claire and Hilley had clicked so effectively final weekend that Chaussee ripped 24 kills of their opening match and twice was honored as MVP1. She stated that Hilley may “sauce me a buttery set,” as evidenced by her 16.3 kills per match and .246 hitting share.
Though she must regulate to Childress’ fashion, Chaussee hopes to feast on scrumptious setting from the completed veteran.
“Alisha likes to run the tempo a bit bit quicker,” Chaussee stated. “Sydney likes to place a bit extra arc on the ball. With my hitting fashion, particularly as a result of I’m a bit bit undersized, I might quite max bounce each time I swing in order that I can get above the block. I all the time inform my setters that so long as it’s excessive sufficient and I can get my toes there, we must be nice.”
Chaussee sees establishing a hitting rhythm from behind the 10-foot line as a key to Staff Rosenthal’s success.
“Stepping into follow with Alisha (on Wednesday and Thursday), we’ll work on our connection, particularly from the again row,” she stated. “What made (opponents) notice that Sydney and I had that connection was as a result of our back-row hitting was so good. If Alisha and I can try this this week, we must always have actually good choices going from again row to the center and all of our pins.”
Chaussee performed within the Italian League for the CBF Balducci HR Macerata group after the completion of the 2022 NCAA season, by which her Louisville squad fell within the title match to Texas. She is gratified to be again within the States.
“Going abroad at first was a giant change,” she admitted. “I’ve by no means lived alone, didn’t know the language. Total, it went effectively for me. I discovered loads about myself outdoors of volleyball and what I needed. Nonetheless, I’m undoubtedly comfortable that the U.S. has AU and is beginning different leagues. It’s been nice to have the ability to join once more with followers and folks outdoors of the health club.”
After the five-week AU season, Chaussee will be part of the Grand Rapids Rise within the nascent Professional Volleyball Federation, and he or she is stoked to get in on the bottom ground.
“I’m excited to maneuver to Michigan and be there for longer than the month or in order that we’re right here,” Claire stated. “I’m excited to get within the health club with the teaching employees and the opposite ladies, and see what we will create with this new league. Nobody actually is aware of the way it’s going to go. So I’m desperate to have a whole lot of firsts with the PVF and the Grand Rapids group.”