While favored to win their first Olympic gold, the U.S. women’s indoor volleyball team came up short Thursday. Now, they’re in a fight for bronze.
Pitt’s women’s volleyball coach should know how good of a chance the team has to bring home the medal.
Dan Fisher has taught and coached nearly all the players on this year’s Olympic roster. They played for him in the Pan Am Cup or last summer’s Pan Am Games.
“The women’s group has never won the Olympics and that has been hanging over this group,” he said.
Fisher said this team is ready to win. He believes Hopewell native Christa Dietzen will be a key component as a leader.
“She was one of the gals that they’ll be looking to for leadership,” he said. “She’s a great player and a great human being. This might be it for her, so we will be pulling for a Pittsburgh girl.”
Fisher said the team will rely on its speed to take home a medal. The biggest challenge was expected to come against Brazil, playing in its home country. Fisher said one factor could decide whether Team USA wins.
“I think it’s going to be trust,” he said. “There will be moments, things are not going their way, so they will have to stay the course and believe in each other.”
Fisher said he’s now focused on Pitt volleyball, which starts soon, but he is an alternate coach for Team USA.
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