USA's teamwork overcame the threat of Nataliya Goncharova
Kaliningrad, Russia, July 10, 2015 – A great all round team effort from USA helped them whitewash hosts Russia 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-19) in their FIVB World Grand Prix match on Friday.
Kelsey Robinson and Molly Kreklow caught the eye for USA in the first set, as the Americans overpowered Russia to win it 25-22. Nataliya Goncharova looked like the most dangerous spiker on court, backed up by Kseniia Ilchenko, but with Tetori Dixon and Lauren Gibbemeyer hitting well for USA in a more rounded team effort, the visitors took set two as well, 25-20.
America were grounding far more spikes, while Russia made more errors, and despite a third set in which both teams made far too many errors on service, and in spiking, the USA managed to close out Goncharova with some great double blocking. Karsta Lowe backed up Dixon’s scoring superbly, and they took the set 25-19, and the match 3-0.
Goncharova was the game’s top scorer, with 14 points; Dixon and Lowe earned 12 points each for USA. USA now have 12 points and lead Pool F; Russia add nothing. Follow the match text commentary
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