USA lose to Brazil in five sets

BANGKOK, Thailand, August 15, 2014 – Defending champions Brazil recovered from a two-set deficit to claim a 3-2 (29-31 22-25 25-22 25-19 15-10) victory over USA in their opening FIVB World Grand Prix Pool G match at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium on Friday.

The Brazilians remain as the only undefeated team this year with a 7-0 win-loss mark and 20 points. Meanwhile, United States dropped to a 3-4 mark.

Thaisa Menezes and Sheilla Castro led Brazil with 23 and 20 points, respectively, while American Kelly Murphy had a match-high 26 points of the losers.

Also in Bangkok, a determined Thai team showed its home fans excellent teamwork to pull off a 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22) victory over Dominican Republic.

Onuma Sittirak led Thailand with 22 points, including two blocks and three aces. The winners held a 12-4 advantage in the aces category. Elizabeth Martinez finished with 18 points for the Dominican side.

In the Final Four of Group 2 in Poland, the Netherlands defeated a brave Puerto Rico 3-1 (22-25, 31-29, 25-20, 25-12).

Celeste Plak led the balanced offense of the winners with 13 points. Karina Ocasio and Aury Cruz finished with 24 and 19 points, respectively for Puerto Rico.