USA keep undefeated mark in Pool C at 4-0
KOBE, Japan, October 3, 2018 – The United States survived a
strong reaction by Thailand and claimed a 3-2 (25-17, 25-16,
23-25, 21-25, 15-11) triumph to record their fourth straight
victory in Pool C of the FIVB Women’s World Championship on
Wednesday.
The Thais' win-loss record slipped to 2-2 but they had already
qualified for the second round and won many new fans for this
battling display full of dynamic digs and defence and punishing
spikes from their whirlwind attackers.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley led the American scoring with 23
points, including 17 spikes, and middle blocker Foluke
Akinradewo added 17 points with seven blocks.
For Thailand, Kongyot Ajcharaporn top-scored with 23 points but
suffered a knee injury and left the arena in a wheelchair.
Kanthong Malika and Captain Thinkaow Pleumjit both scored 14
points.
Also in Pool C, Azerbaijan overcame four set-points in the first
set and went on to defeat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 (29-27, 25-16,
25-17) on Tuesday.
Azerbaijan improved to a 2-2 win-loss record while world
championship debutants Trinidad & Tobago dropped to 0-4.
Inevitably, Polina Rahimova led Azerbaijan with 27 points,
including 25 spikes, and Jana Kulan scored 15, with 10 spikes
and four blocks.
For T&T, middle blocker Sinead Jack bagged a team-high 18,
including three blocks and three aces.
Southpaw Krystle Esdelle and Channon Thompson both scored 14. |