Juciely Cristina Barreto attacks against the Japanese block
Omaha, USA, July 24, 2015 – Brazil answered every challenge thrown their way by Japan to win 25-21, 25-23, 25-16 in Friday action during the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Juciely Cristina Barreto led Brazil with a match-high 19 points, while Natalia Pereira and Ana Carolina Da Silva added 13 points each. Japan was led by Sarina Koga’s 12 points and Miyu Nagaoka added 10 points. Brazil out-blocked Japan 15-4.
Brazil improved to 2-1 on the middle day of the competition, while Japan are 0-3. The Brazilians face host United States on Saturday, while Japan challenge Italy. Today’s Brazil-Japan match marked the 38th meeting between the two countries in World Grand Prix action, the most of any series in the 23-year history of the event. Brazil has won all but four the matches.
The opening set was close through to the second technical timeout. Brazil gained the first three-point cushion of the set at 17-14 and Gabi hit a kill to extend the margin to 19-15. Japan cut the deficit in half at 20-18, but it wasn’t enough in the end as Brazil won 25-21. Juciely was credited with six blocks and nine total blocks in the set for Brazil.
Brazil broke a 10-all tie in the second set with three unanswered points highlighted by a Monique back-row attack to go up 13-10. However Sarina Koga put up a block, followed by kills from Shimamura and Miyu Nagaoka put Japan back in front 14-13. Brazil got the lead back at 17-16 with a block and extended the cushion to four points on the scoreboard with a Juciely kill followed by a kill and block from Natalia block at 22-18. Brazil capped the set at 25-23 after Japan saved three set points.
Brazil started the third set with a 4-0 advantage including a Natalia block and forced Japan to call timeout trailing 10-4. Juciely served an ace to help put Brazil up 20-9. Brazil cruised into the 25-16 victory.