Monique Marinho Pavao hits a cross court winner as Brazil defeated China on the opening day of the FIVB World Grand Prix.
Omaha, USA, July 22, 2015 – In a battle of undefeated teams from the preliminary round, Brazil earned a quick advantage in the opening match of the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals with a 23-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-14 victory over China on Wednesday at the CenturyLink Center Omaha in Nebraska.
Brazil was led by Juciely Cristina Barreto with 17 points, while Gabriela Braga Guimaraes added 15 points and Monique Marinho Pavao totaled 14 points. China was paced by Changning Zhang and Yanhan Liu with 15 points apiece, while Yunlu Wang contributed 10 points in the loss.
Brazil out-blocked China 14-6 and held an 11-3 service ace advantage. China had 24 errors in the four-set loss, while Brazil limited their errors to 15.
Brazil opened the first set in command at 7-2, but China answered the bell in charging out in front 12-10 on a 10-3 run that included four points from Yunlu Wang. China increased its margin 18-14 with an ace from Changning Zhang. Brazil battled back to within 24-23, but couldn’t finish the comeback with China winning 25-23.
Brazil gain an 8-4 lead at the second set’s opening technical timeout and extended their margin to 16-11 at the second technical timeout. China mounted a comeback to cut its deficit to two points at 20-18. However, Brazil pulled away at 25-20 as Gabi scored five points in the second set.
Brazil continued its momentum in securing an 11-3 margin in the third set, scoring two early blocks and two aces. Dani served her third ace of the set to allow Brazil to double up China 16-8 at the second technical timeout. Brazil never let China back in the set in winning 25-16. Monique totaled five points in the set.
Brazil reached the fourth set’s first technical timeout leading 8-4, thanks in part to a Natalia ace and China rotation error. Natalia served an ace to place Brazil in front 16-10 at the second technical timeout. Brazil ended the match at 25-14.