National Team | UW alums contribute as USA defeats Poland in volleyball Grand Prix

• #1 USA def. #15 Poland 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-16)
• next: #1 USA vs. #2 Brazil | 6AM PDT | August 4, 2013 | Campinas Brazil

Team USA moved to 2-0 in the first round of the 2013 World Grand Prix, sweeping #15 Poland 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-16)

USA libero Tama Miyashiro (5) and teammates celebrate a point against Poland in Campinas, Brazil
-photo courtesy FIVB

Former Washington All-American Tama Miyashiro played libero throughout, recording 11 digs and 4 “excellent” (an international volleyball term) serve receives. Former Husky Jenna Hagglund tallied 7 set attempts during spot substitutions in the first two sets.

Once again, Florida’s Kelly Murphy (11 kills, 47.83%) and Pepperdine’s Kim Hill (12 kills, 30%) were the USA hitting leaders.

The highlight of the first round will be Sunday’s match between USA and Brazil. The Brazilians (2-0) survived a slugfest Saturday against Russia, winning in 5 sets (26-28, 26-24, 25-19, 22-25, 15-8). Brazil defeated USA for the gold medal last summer in the London Olympic Games, Brazil’s only victory against the Americans in the team’s last seven meetings, including the Pan American Cup earlier this summer.