Long Beach, USA; June 18, 2016 – USA and Japan meet for the 26th time in the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, and the hosts certainly have the form going into the match.
Head-to-Head
· United States have won 20 of their 26 World Grand Prix matches against Japan, including the last 10.
· In 2015, United States defeated Japan twice in straight sets at the World Grand Prix.
· Japan's last victory over United States in the competition came in 2005 (3-1).
· Their most recent encounter came at the 2015 World Cup, with United States winning 3-1.
United States
· USA have won 16 of their 18 World Grand Prix matches since the start of the 2015 campaign. Both defeats came against Asian opposition - twice against China.
· USA have won six of their seven competitive matches in 2016, only losing against China at this year's World Grand Prix.
· Karsta Lowe is USA's top scorer at the 2016 World Grand Prix with 41 points.
· Christa Harmotto Dietzen has scored 13 points with blocks.
· Kimberly Hill (45%) and Kelsey Robinson (40%) have a high efficiency rate as receivers.
Japan
· Japan seek their second win at this year's World Grand Prix. They beat Serbia in their opening match, but they have lost their next three matches.
· They could play three successive five-setters for the first at the World Grand Prix.
· Sarina Koga has scored 41 points for Japan at the 2016 World Grand Prix.
· Mami Uchiseto has the highest efficiency rate in receiving - 51%.