U.S. Women’s Fistball Team Finishes Strong at the 2024 IFA World Championships

Montecarlo, Argentina – The United States Women’s National Fistball Team wrapped up the 2024 IFA Women’s World Fistball Championships in Montecarlo, Argentina, with a 3:0 win over Australia (11:8, 11:5, 14:12). This victory set a new U.S. Fistball Association (USFA) record for the most wins at a Women's World Championship. Their performance secured a 9th-place finish, the team’s highest placement to date and a significant step forward for U.S. Fistball on the international stage.

The team’s journey began with a tough 3:1 defeat in their Group C opener, falling 3:1 (11:8, 11:7, 8:11, 11:3) to Namibia. The Americans fought hard in the first two sets and managed to shift momentum in the third. However, defensive errors ultimately proved costly against the experienced Namibian squad. The Americans were able to rebound the next day with a dominant 3:0 (11:4, 11:4, 11:6) win over Colombia, earning them second place in Group C and a crossover match with New Zealand. Although they ultimately fell to the Kiwis in straight sets (11:5, 11:8, 11:6), this spirited matchup marked a continuation of their rivalry with New Zealand.

Relegated to the Placement Round, Team USA faced Colombia again and once again dominated, defeating the Colombians 3:1 in the rematch from Group C. This win earned the United States a spot in the ninth-place match against a formidable Australian squad. In their final match, the U.S. players found their rhythm, clinching a straight-sets victory over Australia (11:8, 11:5, 14:12) to secure their 9th-place finish. Allison Vaughan led the team’s attacking efforts, while Danielle Pereira and captain Amber Rauh added a potent offensive presence. Amanda Stanton stepped in with calm, strategic setting and excellent communication, providing essential support to the attack. The defense—anchored by Vanessa Marques, Lindsey Stern, and Lea Mathew—delivered a standout performance, particularly in the final set where the U.S. overcame a three-point deficit to take the set 14-12.

The tournament highlighted the team’s growth and resilience. With this historic 9th-place finish and record-breaking performance, the U.S. Women’s National Fistball Team looks forward to building on their success as they continue to advance in the world of fistball. The future looks bright for the Americans, whose average age was just 25 at this tournament. The United States Fistball Association would like to thank all the athletes, coaches, fans, sponsors, and donors who made our trip to the Women's World Championship possible. We will be back in four years!