Fans came out to support the USA as they stay undefeated and atop the Finals Round standings at 3-0
Omaha, USA, July 24, 2015 –USA remain the lone undefeated team in the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals through day three, while Brazil kept their gold-medal hopes alive.
In a battle of the remaining undefeated teams, United States held firm with a 26-24, 19-25, 25-16, 25-22 victory over Russia on Friday evening to stay undefeated in the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals being held in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Karsta Lowe paced the USA with 22 points and Kimberly Hill added 15 points. Nataliya Goncharova sparked Russia with 29 points, followed by 11 points from Ekaterina Lyubushkina’s and Alexandra Pasynkova. Russia out-blocked the USA 9-7, while the American held a 8-5 service ace margin.
USA will challenge two-time defending champion Brazil (2-1) on Saturday at 17:10, while Russia will take on China (1-2) at 20:10.
Brazil answered every challenge thrown their way by Japan to win 25-21, 25-23, 25-14 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 added 13 points. 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.
Italy edged China 25-15, 22-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-12 in the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals Friday evening in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Indre Sorokaite led Italy with 25 points, while Miriam Fatime Sylla added 14 points. China was paced by Liu Yanhan’s 18 points and Zhang Changning charted 15 points. Italy held a 15-7 block advantage and 11-8 margin in aces.
Italy earned their first win of the tournament against two setbacks, matching China’s 1-2 record through day three. Italy play Japan (0-3) on Saturday, while China meet Russia (2-0 before tonight’s match with USA).
Top scoring performances
29 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs USA (July 24)
28 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs Italy (July 22)
25 – Indre Sorokaite of Italy vs China (July 24)
24 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia vs Brazil (July 23)
22 – Karsta Lowe of USA vs Russia (July 24)
Top scoring performances by team
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 – Juciely Cristina Barreto of Brazil vs China (July 22)
Top blocking performances by team
15 – Brazil vs Japan (July 24)
15 – Italy vs China (July 25)
14 – Brazil vs China (July 22)
13 – Italy vs USA (July 23)
11 - USA vs Japan (July 22)
11 – China vs Japan (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)
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)