Today kicks off the World Grand Champions Cup 2017 while Brazil, China and host Japan clinched their first victory with convincing results.
Brazil vs Russia
3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 25-12)
The scoreboard may not reveal that it was a close-level head to head between the two traditional rivalries. Both teams have interchangedbly had varied extent of lead in each set except in the fourth one. As both head coaches said, after Brazil seized the critical thrid set with a come-from-behind win, Brazil took the fourth set with ease, mainly attributable to effective net defence ahainst Kosheleva and Goncharova’s attack as well as fierce attack by the top scorer Tandara who earned 28 points alone.
China vs USA
3-1 (18-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-17)
China easily got back in top state after the first set loss. Led by the powerhouse Zhu Ting who scored 21 points – 16 attacks and four blocks and an ace, USA was overpowered and hardly scored more than 20 points since the second set. Despite a strong lineup with Larson and Akinradewo, USA failed to unleash their attack power as usual that they were even upset opponent’s monster block ( 14 killing blocks).
Japan vs Korea
3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 26-24)
Japan leveraged upon its home advantage to edged out Korea in straight sets in full-house stadium.
Nomoto’s double-digit output for Japan in the opening set led to an 18-point finish, which included 17 attacks and a block. Mami Uchiseto and Risa Shinnabe added 13 and 12 points, while their setter Koyomi Tominaga also contributed in scoring with 5 points. Ha Hyejin and Lee Jaeyong led Korea made 20 and 16 points on a losing effort.
Quick replay of the matches
Russia vs Brazil
USA vs China
Japan vs Korea
