It’s barely been a day since Team USA battled for the last spot in the Volleyball Nations League final. However, their opponent, Canada, proved to be a far bigger challenge than they probably anticipated. Despite being 16th out of the 18 teams, Canada made life very difficult for the women of USA volleyball, as they took the game to its 5-set distance.

In fact, things could’ve gone very differently if it weren’t for the depth of the US roster. Olympic gold medalist Avery Skinner led the team to a 3-2 (26-24, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 19-17) win. Meanwhile, Canada kept the VNL berth alive for next season thanks to the two sets they won. Yet, just after winning, coach Mike Sullivan has sparked some serious doubt among fans with this team selection against China.

You see, the USA volleyball team barely got any rest as they’re now busy dunking it out against China. The Red Bridge became the sixth team to secure a VNL finals spot ahead of the USA and also sits two positions above America in the finals. A win over China would guarantee that the USA wouldn’t have to face top-placed Italy in elimination, so fans thought the team would keep veterans like Skinner on the roster.

The coaching staff has other ideas. “Avery Skinner and Dana Rettke have been removed from the roster and will be the designated alternates tonight vs. China. Danielle Cuttino and Roni Jones Perry have been activated,” Avid Volleyball posted about the sudden roster alteration ahead of the game with China. Needless to say, the fans immediately protested Skinner’s sitting on the beach.

“No! not Averyyyyy,” one fan commented volleyball fan. After all, the Olympian played a crucial role in beating Canada and taking USA Volleyball to the final. Naturally, the shocking move against a much stronger opponent on paper absolutely shocked the fans.

Fans try to get to the bottom of USA Volleyball’s decision

Volleyball fans put on their thinking hats, trying to decipher the decision behind putting Skinner and Rettke in reserve. “Is it possible they have a nagging minor injury, and this is their way of resting them?” one fan commented, his best guess. Avid Volleyball responded to the netizen as his guess wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. However, their guess was no better.

“Could be. We won’t know ’cause they don’t ever say anything,” commented the page. “Is it because they already are moving on?? I hate to see Avery not play,” another fan speculated. Once again, the question had no concrete answer because the USA volleyball team simply announced the changes. Mike Sullivan and the rest of the coaching team didn’t explain why they made the decision.

What’s more? Skinner and Rettke becoming alternates wasn’t the only change. Team USA switched things up big time with multiple players. “The U.S. Women’s National Team starting lineup vs. China in VNL finale: 8 Butler – MB 15 Fairbanks – S 18 O’Neal – MB 20 Cuttino – OPP 21 Perry – OH 22 Franklin – OH 6 Hentz – L,” the official handle posted on X ahead of the match.

Surprisingly, the clash with China is Rachel Fairbanks’ first start for USA volleyball. Some fans completely lost faith after so many changes. “The winning mindset is nowhere to be found,” commented one fan, who thought the national team was taking things too casually after making it to the VNL finals. Meanwhile, another warned of the consequences of removing Avery Skinner.

“Removing your consistent and top scorer for the past few games isn’t the right thing to do,” commented the fan. While the USA volleyball star and Olympic gold medalist has only played three games so far, she’s been incredibly consistent. The outside hitter has scored 21, 18, and 22 points in her three appearances. The fan believed that taking her off the starting lineup could be too big of a gamble, but what’s the reality?

Well, the gamble seems to be paying off much better for USA volleyball than many fans thought. With four sets down at the time of writing, the USA and China have won two sets each and are preparing to play the deciding set. Now the question is, can the USA see it through to the end? Thankfully, fans won’t have to wait too long to find out.