Gibbemeyer shines for USA over Brazil

JIANGMEN, China, June 6, 2018 - Team USA continued on their winning ways, overpowering Brazil 3-1 (25-23 26-28, 25-21, 25-18) and seeing big-hitting Lauren Gibbemeyer shine with 16 points in women's fourth-round action in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League. 

The Americans look to have played themselves into an irresistible run of form as the VNL finals start to loom on the horizon and their effort in the last set in particular would not have made pretty viewing for any potential rivals come the business end of the tournament. 

The likes of middle blocker Gibbemeyer - who had eight huge blocks - along with wing spiker and captain Jordan Larson (16 points) and middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo (13 points) showcased once again just how deep their talent pool runs. Consider the fact that none of the three took part in the previous night's clash with Russia.

Brazil stuck in there, after their heroics the night before against China, but just couldn't break the shackles applied by the Americans' accuracy and their court coverage. Leading the way for the beaten brigade were middle blocker Ana Carolina Da Silva with 14 points and wing spiker Amanda Francisco with 12. There was some mystery at the end as Brazilian star Tandara Caixeta sat out the third and fourth stanzas, after looking to struggle in the first two on her way to five points.

It was a battle between the top two teams in the VNL, coming in to this fourth-round encounter, and it certainly lived up to its billing with the lead fluctuating throughout and neither outfit really ever dominating.

The USA (10-1) now finish up round four with a Thursday night match-up again China, while Brazil (9-2) will look to get back to winning ways against Russia.