Bilbao, Spain - July 23-30, 1989

The United States, directed by University of Virginia coach Debbie Ryan, entered the 1989 Junior Women's World Championship in Bilbao, Spain, with hopes of improving on the USA's 1985 fifth-place finish. The USA's goal, however, was not realized as the American team finished 3-4 and in seventh place.

In the four USA losses, three came by three or less points and the other was an overtime decision. The USA team, which averaged 19 years of age, featured only three players who had previous experience playing outside of the United States.

The American team dropped its opening game to South Korea in overtime, 93-84, as Tennessee's Dena Head accounted for USA team highs of 17 points and seven rebounds. High school senior-to-be and 17-year-old, 6'5' Lisa Leslie led the U.S. the following day with an impressive 17-point, nine-rebound effort, but the U.S. still came up short, losing 71-69 in a tough contest with Australia.

The U.S. notched its first victory of the '89 Junior World Championship when it recorded a convincing, 13-point win over Bulgaria, 78-65. Leslie again paced the U.S. offense, recording 22 points and nine rebounds.

Facing Czechoslovakia in their fourth game in as many days, the U.S. dropped another down-to-the-wire decision, falling 90-87. University of Georgia star LeJuana Hardmon led the U.S. with 18 points, while Leslie recorded 16 rebounds.

Bouncing back once again, the United States scored a solid 73-62 win over Zaire as Leslie and Carla Holmes each scored 13 points. The U.S. women recorded yet another narrow loss, suffering a three-point setback to host Spain, 99-96, despite 16-point scoring efforts by Sonja Henning and Julie Zeilstra.

Facing Brazil in the seventh place game and putting earlier disappointment aside, the Americans managed to win a close contest and end the tournament on a positive note after nipping the Brazilians, 70-66. Head led the U.S. cause with 17 points.

The Soviet Union junior women successfully defended their 1985 Junior World title with a 109-93 victory over Yugoslavia in the gold medal game. Australia won its first World Championship medal, defeating Czechoslovakia 69-61 for the bronze.

1989 USA WOMEN'S JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM ROSTER