USA with 2-0 mark at NVL

NINGBO, China, May 26 - Taylor Sander stepped up big with 18 points for the USA as the world's second-ranked team made it 2-0 so far with a 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 25-20) in first-round action at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League on Saturday.

The 26-year-old wing spiker led a fearsome American back-row attack as they picked their opponents apart after a nervy start, with both wing spiker Thomas Jaeschke (16 points) and middle blocker Maxwell Holt (12 points) taking the match away from the Bulgarians.

The Balkan outfit had started brightly as they looked to build on their 3-2 win over China the night before. But they were overpowered in the middle sets as the American machine clicked into gear.

Best on court for Bulgaria were wing spikers Nikolay Uchikov (15 points) with Todor Skrimov (10 points) playing a fine supporting role.