Gibbemeyer Helps U.S. Junior National Team Advance to Semifinals of World Championships

Incoming freshman middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer has helped the U.S. Junior National Team advance to the semifinals of the U-20 World Championships in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The U.S. Junior National Team knocked off previously undefeated China in pool play 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21) on Wednesday, July 25 to advance to the semifinal round.

The U.S. Junior National team entered that match 3-1 in pool play, while China was 4-0. With the win, the U.S. team tied China for the top spot in the pool at 4-1. The U.S. team finished second in the pool to China due to the FIVB’s tie-breaker protocol that determined China would remain in first place based on points won/lost ratio for both teams. The Americans trailed China in the calculations by .007.

Gibbemeyer has started four of the five matches for the U.S. team. She did not start the first match, which was a loss to Germany in the opener. Gibbemeyer has started the last four matches in which the U.S. team has gone 4-0.

In the match against China, Gibbemeyer tallied six kills, three blocks and two service aces.

The U.S. team will face defending world champion Brazil, the winner of Pool B, on Thursday, July 26 at 6 a.m. (CT).

Once Gibbemeyer returns home from the World Championships, she will have a quick turnaround and start practicing with her Golden Gopher teammates on Aug. 8, which will be the first day of practice for Minnesota.