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The United States women's 3x3 basketball team started their Olympic title defense on a shaky note, falling to 13-17 in their opening game on Tuesday afternoon.
Fans claim loss not on Hailey Van Lith's shoulders
Team USA, comprised of Cierra Burdick, Rhyne Howard, Hailey Van Lith, and late replacement Dearica Hamby, struggled with their shooting, hitting just one of their eight attempts from outside the range compared to 's 40 percent from two-point range.
Fans had high hopes for Team USA's performance against , eagerly tuning in to watch the match.
However, the loss has led to a wave of criticism directed at Hailey Van Lith, who is no stranger to being blamed for her team's shortcomings.
Despite her significant contributions to the game, some fans were quick to point fingers at the TCU Horned Frogs star, reminiscent of the backlash she faced during her time at Louisiana State University when the Lady Tigers underperformed.
One fan expressed their frustration, saying, "I really hate how Hailey Van Lith is constantly used as a scapegoat now since her time at LSU. That loss is not on her."
This sentiment was echoed by many who felt that Van Lith's efforts should not be overshadowed by the team's overall performance.
The game started well for Team USA, who jumped to a 5-0 lead before made a strong comeback, dominating the final eight minutes.
Van Lith, the only college player on Team USA's squad, managed to score some crucial points, finishing with six points, three rebounds, and two turnovers.
Despite her efforts, it wasn't enough to secure a win for her team.
Comparisons were drawn to Van Lith's previous experiences, such as the NCAA season when the Lady Tigers lost in the Elite Eight to Caitlin Clark'sIowa Hawkeyes.
On both occasions, her performances were substantial but not sufficient to change the outcome, leading to undue criticism.
However, this time, Van Lith found some from fans.
"Anybody that got something negative to say about Hailey Van Lith during this game clearly didn't watch. She was not the worst player on the floor today. She did extremely well," one fan remarked, highlighting her role in narrowing the score gap.
Team USA keep gold medal hopes alive
Another fan pointed out that the loss could not be solely placed on Van Lith, noting that the team included experienced WNBA players who could have contributed more significantly.
"Hailey Van Lith is fine. It's one loss and the first game. We are good #USA," another er commented, urging critics to remain optimistic as the tournament progresses.
The sentiment was shared by many who felt that it was too early to place blame and that the team had ample opportunity to recover in the games.
Despite the criticism, Van Lith's performance was commendable, with six points and three rebounds in under seven minutes of play.
Team USA will look to bounce back in their next game against Azerbaijan on Wednesday evening, aiming for their first win in the tournament.
The defending champions can take solace in knowing that the team that won in Tokyo also faced early setbacks.
As Team USA prepares for their next match, the focus will be on improving their performance and ing each other, with hopes of defending their title successfully.