Although the team lost to Brazil in the championship match 25-15, 18-25, 25-13, 25-21, it brought home only the third medal ever for U.S. women’s indoor volleyball. Previously, the U.S. had won the silver at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and the bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Woodstra was captain of the 1984 team that fell to China in the championship match.
“It’s taken us quite a while to get back, but it’s been an incredible experience,” Woodstra said. “I’m very happy with how our players performed, very proud.”
Woodstra said the U.S. team stuck to its game plan and served to the Brazilian player they wanted to put pressure on, but the Brazilians had an answer for nearly every tactic the Americans tried. The Brazilians relied on a stifling defense that seemed able to reach nearly every would-be kill the U.S. team sent over the net.
“Brazil is a very, very good team. They’re very solid and their mid-blockers are some of the best in the world,” Woodstra said. “They are definitely an excellent team and very tough to play against.”
The U.S., ranked fourth coming into the Olympic Games, earned its way to the final by defeating third-ranked Cuba 25-20, 25-16, 25-17 in the semifinal round at Beijing’s Capital Gymnasium.
“Serving as Olympic assistant coach is an incredible honor for Sue and for Humboldt State University. Sue’s work with the USA squad brings valuable international exposure to HSU,” said Dan Collen, HSU Athletics Director.
With her Olympic coaching duties over, Woodstra will rejoin the Jacks for the beginning of the season. The team’s home opener is this weekend as the Jacks host the Humboldt Tournament and face off with Simpson University on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. in HSU’s new Kinesiology & Athletics Complex.
As far as transitioning from coaching Team USA to once again helming the Jacks, Woodstra said her approach stays the same.
“I try to get the maximum effort from my players and as long as they are giving their best effort, then I’m happy with that.”
Woodstra’s college coaching career includes head coaching jobs at University of Pittsburgh (1989-92) and University of California, Berkeley (1995-98). She led Pittsburgh to four consecutive conference championships and was named Big East Coach of the Year in 1990. In addition, Woodstra played four seasons (1984-88) on the professional level in a Japanese volleyball league and is a four-time USVBA Women’s Open First-Team All-American (1975, 1985-87) and the 1986 USVBA Women’s Open Player of the Year. In 1981, she helped lead the University of Southern California to the NCAA women’s volleyball championship.