Larson leads USA to victory over Thailand
BANGKOK, Thailand, May 31, 2018 - Leading by example with
another stellar all-round performance, Jordan Larson guided the
seemingly unstoppable United States to a comprehensive 3-0
(25-10, 25-22, 25-16) victory over Thailand in the women's FIVB
Volleyball Nations League on Thursday.
With USA's leading point scorer Michelle Bartsch-Hackley sitting
out the match, Larson took up the role of the main attacking
weapon, finishing with a game-high 15 points, comprising nine
spikes from 18 attempts, as well as two blocks and four service
winners.
Outside hitter Kimberly Hill was also in great form,
particularly in the first two sets, racking up 13 kills as the
reigning world champions posted their seventh consecutive
straight-sets win to consolidate their lead at the top of the
competition standings.
Outgunned at the start, Thailand improved as the match wore on,
pushing the Americans in the second set and leading midway
through their third before running out of steam, just 24 hours
after they were involved in a marathon five-set defeat to
Germany.
None of the Thai players managed to reach double figures
although Onuma Sittirak led the way with eight after skipping
the first set as the home crowd created a carnival atmosphere
inside the stadium as they cheered every point and desperate
save from the host-nation's team.
Wilavan Apinyapong and Ajcharaporn Kongyot, finished with seven
points each, while Larson took her series total to 90 points and
was well supported by her team mates as four American players
reached double figures.
Hill, who has 89 points in total, clinched the first and second
sets with powerful spikes that proved too much for the Thai
defence.
Andrea Drews finished with 12 points while Lauren Gibbemeyer got
10 and Foluke Akinradewores, the most-capped player on the
American roster, chipped in with eight.
With the win, the US improved to 8-1 in the competition. Ranked
number two in the world, they head to Jiangmen next week to join
China, Brazil and Russia in Pool 14.
Thailand, who dropped to 2-7 after a third straight loss in
Bangkok, switch to Nakhon Ratchasima next week to host Japan,
South Korea and Turkey in Pool 15. |