Olympic vets Dietzen
and Akinradewo make impact on return
- USA def. Japan 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 26-24)
USA libero Tama Miyashiro (center) leads a cheer during a 3-0 World Grand Prix win over Japan in Hong Kong -FIVB |
USA, welcoming
four veteran players for the World Grand
Prix third round in Hong Kong,
rallied to sweep highly-ranked Japan,
3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 26-24). USA—now 7-0 in pool play and ranked #1 in the world—will
face Thailand Friday morning (3:30AM
Pacific Time). Japan, ranked fourth in world, is now 3-4 in pool play, but is
still in contention to be among the six teams to qualify for the Finals next week in Omaha.
USA Middle blocker Christa
(Harmotto) Dietzen, playing her first major tournament match of the summer,
recorded 8 kills and 3 blocks. Her fellow middle Foluke Akinradewo—also playing her first match of the current World
Grand Prix—had 8 kills and one block. Two other third round additions were also
in the starting lineup: opposite Kelly
Murphy contributed 10 kills and a block, while outside hitter Jordan Larson-Burbach had 3 kills and 2
blocks.
USA middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo (16) exchanges high-fives with setter Molly Kreklow -FIVB |
USA’s biggest numbers came from outside hitter Kim Hill. She had 9 kills and a
jaw-dropping 6 service aces against one of the best defensive teams in the
world. 4 of those aces came during a crucial third set comeback. Libero Kayla Banwarth had another good match,
contributing 9 digs.
Molly Kreklow and
Courtney Thompson once again shared
setting duties, with Thompson entering each set as part of a
double-substitution with Karsta Lowe.
USA, China and Brazil are all 7-0 in pool play, and all have qualified for next
week’s Finals. Contenders for the final three spots include Italy, Russia, Japan, Thailand and Germany
See also: USA Women’s Volleyball Road to Rio
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