Russia's Ekaterina Goncharova (8) and Ekaterina Orlova (12) block an attack from Brazil's Monique
Omaha, USA, July 23, 2015 – Russia shocked Brazil 25-19, 28-26, 25-19 on the second day of the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals being held in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Russia improve to 2-0 with six points, while Brazil fall to 1-1 with three points. Brazil, the two-time defending World Grand Prix champions, were undefeated in 10 World Grand Prix matches this season.
Nataliya Goncharova led Russia with 24 points, followed by Alexandra Pasynkova with 14 points. Natalia Pereira paced Brazil with 11 points and Monique Marinho Pavao charted 10 points. Russia out-blocked Brazil 13-6 and held a 7-5 service ace advantage.
Russia built an early 4-0 lead in the opening set, yet Brazil answered back to close to 11-10. Russia regained a four-point cushion 16-12 at the second technical timeout. With their lead trimmed to 20-18, Russia scored three unanswered including a big block from Ekaterina Kosianenko to yield a 23-18 advantage in en route to the 25-19 victory.
Brazil started the second set down 1-0 before the first serve following a red card to coach Paulo do Rego Barros, and that point would come back to haunt. After Goncharova tipped an attack over the Brazil block to give Russia a 21-20 advantage, Brazil came back with a Monique kill and Dani Lins ace to go up 22-21. Russia held a set point at 24-23, but Brazil came back with a tip shot from Gabi and ace by Roberta Silva Ratzke to go up 25-24. Russia got their second set point at 27-26 after a Brazil attack went long then Pasynkova served an ace for the winner at 28-26. Goncharova ended the set with another 10 points to run her match total to 20.
Orlova blocked a Brazilian attack to put Russia in front 8-6 in the third set. Russia jumped their lead to 16-12 at the second technical timeout with a Pasynkova cross-court winner. Ekaterina Lyubushkina served an ace to extend the Russia advantage to 18-12. Russia never let Brazil back in with a 25-19 victory.