USA topped Pool K1 to qualify for the semifinals of the 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix Finals
Bangkok, Thailand, July 8, 2016 – The United States, Netherlands and Russia joined Brazil and completed the cast of semifinalists of the 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Finals at Indoor Stadium Huamark on Friday.
USA completed a sweep of their matches in Pool K1, following their straight-set victory over China. Karsta Lowe and Rachael Adams led USA’s dominance on offence and defence with 12 attack points and six block points, respectively. Outside spiker Michelle Bartsch had a promising peformance in her first World Grand Prix match, scoring 11 points as she came in as a starter only in the second and third sets.
After having their rest day on Thursday, USA had fresher legs than their rivals, who suffered a five-set loss to the Netherlands. With China’s loss to the USA, the Netherlands earned passage to the semifinals with better point advantage over China in Pool K1 rankings.
Meanwhile, Russia recovered from their straight-set loss in their first match in the final round, and produced a straight-set win over hosts Thailand in Pool J1. As Brazil have already qualified to the Final Four on Thursday, Russia seized the opportunity to grab the remaining slot available in the pool.
Russia barely escaped the fierce challenge of the host team but somehow their main hitter Nataliya Goncharova was in the right place and right time to help her team break away from the tightly-contested sets. Goncharova tallied 27 points, including 23 spikes and four blocks, while young Thai star Ajcharaporn Kongyot top scored for her team with 17 points.
Brazil will face the Netherlands in the first semifinal match, while USA will play Russia in the second semifinal match on Saturday, July 9.
China and Thailand will battle for fifth on the final day of competition on July 10 at 12:00 local time.
Top Scorer by Day
27 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia v Thailand on July 8
31 – Lonneke Sloetjes of Netherlands v China on July 7
23 – Natalia Pereira of Brazil v Thailand on July 6
Top Scoring Performances
31 – Lonneke Sloetjes of Netherlands v China on July 7
27 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia v Thailand on July 8
23 – Natalia Pereira of Brazil v Thailand on July 6
Top Individual Serving Performances
5 – Yvon Belien of Netherlands v USA on July 6
Top Team Serving Performances
9 – Netherlands v China on July 7
7 – Netherlands v USA on July 6
Top Individual Blocking Performances
6 – Rachael Adams of USA v China on July 8
5 – Ksenia Ilchenko of Russia v Thailand on July 8
5 – Lonneke Sloetjes of Netherlands v Brazil on July 7
4 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia v Thailand on July 8
4 – Irina Fetisova of Russia v Thailand on July 8
4 – Fernanda Rodrigues of Brazil v Thailand on July 6
Top Team Blocking Performances
15 – Russia v Thailand on July 8
15 – Brazil v Russia on July 7
11 – Brazil v Thailand on July 6
Highest Scoring Sets
27-25 – Russia v Thailand on July 8
26-24 – Brazil v Thailand on July 6
25-23 – China v Netherlands on July 7
Highest Scoring Matches
199 – Netherlands v China 3-2 (23-25, 25-14, 19-25, 25-20, 15-8) on July 7
146 – Russia v Thailand 3-0 (27-25, 26-24, 25-19) on July 8
136 – USA v Netherlands 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-23) on July 6