USA won their sixth World Grand Prix title with vocal home crowd cheering them on
Omaha, USA, July 25, 2015 – The United States earned their sixth overall FIVB World Grand Prix title with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-21 victory over two-time defending champion Brazil on Saturday evening on the second-to-last competition day in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
The USA made history on two fronts with the victory. They became the first country to win the World Grand Prix in the same calendar year as winning the FIVB World Championship, as well as the first Finals Round host to win the World Grand Prix. USA improved to 4-0 in the Finals and have a two-match lead over a trio of teams – Brazil, China and Russia – all at 2-2.
Christa Dietzen sparked the American offense with 14 points including seven blocks, while Karsta Lowe contributed 12 points. Brazil was led by Monique Marinho Pavao with 12 points and Ana Carolina Da Silva added nine points. USA out-blocked Brazil 10-5.
Brazil had won the last two World Grand Prix titles and were aiming for their 11th title overall.
China evened their record by defeating Russia 27-25, 25-20, 25-19 Saturday afternoon on the fourth day of the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Yanhan Li sparked China with 24 points and Changning Zhang added 13 points in the victory. Russia’s Nataliya Goncharova, the tournament’s leading scorer, placed 20 points on the board and Yana Shcherban added nine points. China net defense produced a 10-9 block advantage to help offset Russia’s 5-3 ace margin.
China, now 2-2, will play USA on the final day of the Finals with the hopes of earning silver or bronze as the second-place team through four days.
Italy earned a hard-fought 20-25, 25-20, 28-30, 26-24, 24-22 victory over winless Japan to end the fourth day of the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals on Saturday evening in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Japan was led by Saori Sakoda and Yurie Nabeya with 27 and 24 points, respectively. Miriam Sylla and Indre Sorokaite paced Italy with 17 points in the contest. Italy held a 18-10 block advantage.
The Americans (4-0, 12 points) conclude the Finals on Sunday against China (2-2, 7 points). Italy (2-2) challenge Brazil (2-2) on Sunday, while Japan (0-4) conclude the Finals against Russia (2-2).
Top scoring performances
29 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs USA (July 24)
28 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs Italy (July 22)
27 – Saori Sakoda of Japan vs Italy (July 25)
25 – Indre Sorokaite of Italy vs China (July 24)
24 – Yurie Nabeya of Japan vs Italy (July 25)
24 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs Brazil (July 23)
22 – Karsta Lowe of USA vs Russia (July 24)
Top scoring performances by team
123 – Italy vs Japan (July 25)
121 – Japan vs Italy (July 25)
109 – Italy vs China (July 24)
98 – Brazil vs China (July 22)
95 – China vs Italy (July 25)
95 – USA vs Russia (July 24)
Top blocking performances
8 – Natilya Goncharova of Russia vs Brazil (July 23)
8 – Juciely Cristina Barreto of Brazil vs Japan (July 24)
7 – Christa Dietzen of USA vs Brazil (July 25)
7 – Juciely Cristina Barreto of Brazil vs China (July 22)
7 – Martina Guiggi of Italy vs Japan (July 25)
Top blocking performances by team
18 – Italy vs Japan (July 25)
15 – Brazil vs Japan (July 24)
15 – Italy vs China (July 25)
14 – Brazil vs China (July 22)
13 – Italy vs USA (July 23)
Top serving performances
4 – Danielle Lins of Brazil vs China (July 22)
4 – Indre Sorokaite of Italy vs China (July 25)
4 – Wang Yunlu of China vs Italy (July 25)
Top serving performances by team
11 – Brazil vs China (July 22)
11 – Italy vs China (July 25)
Highest scorer by day
Day 1: 28 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs Italy (July 22)
Day 2: 24 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs Brazil (July 23)
Day 3: 29 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs USA (July 24)
Day 4: 27 – Saori Sakoda of Japan vs Italy (July 25)
Highest set score
Day 1: Russia vs Italy, 28-26 (July 22)
Day 2: Russia vs Brazil, 28-26 (July 23)
Day 3: Brazil vs Japan, 25-23 (July 24)
Day 4: Japan vs Italy, 30-28 (July 25)