July 25, 2005

ANKARA, Turkey - Florida State sophomore standout Summer Weissing (Boca Raton/Olympic Heights), USA's starting libero, led the Americans to a 1-2 record last week during preliminary action at the 2005 FIVB U-20 World Championship at the Atatürk Sport Hall in Ankara, Turkey. After falling to Serbia and Montenegro (3-1) and Brazil (3-0), the United States stormed back to clinch a five-game victory against Japan.

"This is a great victory for USA," said Weissing. "It was important that we got a win after two defeats. The level of competition here is very high . . . but I'm really enjoying myself. I hope that we can regroup and get in a position to win a medal."

Weissing started in all three matches and 12 total games. Against SCG, she recorded five digs followed by a nine dig performance versus the Brazilians. The individual results from today's Japan/USA match are not yet known.

Games in the preliminary round will conclude July 28, with the first two teams of each group qualifying for the semi-finals and finals, scheduled for July 30 and 31 in Ankara.

The United States will face Croatia Wednesday, July 27.

Team USA has yet to win a world championship since the tournament's inception in 1977.