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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.