Pool C: #2 USA Sweeps, #5 Russia Survives on Day 2

  0 Jil Price Igara | September 30th, 2018 | International Volleyball

2nd-ranked USA cruised by 34th-ranked Trinadad and Tobago in straight sets, while 5th-ranked Russia outlasted 16th-ranked Thailand in 5 sets to move to 2-0 in Pool C at the 2018 FIVB World Championships on Saturday. 24th-ranked Azerbaijan earned its first victory inside Kobe Green Arena, downing 10th-ranked South Korea in 4 sets to move to 1-1 in pool play.

2018 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship

  • 29 September – 20 October
  • Schedule
  • Teams
  • Pool C – USA, Russia, Thailand, Azerbaijan, South Korea, Trinadad & Tobago
  • Kobe Green Arena, Kobe
  • Day 1;

#2 USA def. #24 Trinadad & Tobago 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-11)

  • USA moves to 2-0 (6 points); Trinadad & Tobago falls to 0-2 (0 points)
  • Attendance: 420
  • Match Stats

With Nations League MVP Michelle Bartsch-Hackley back in the starting lineup, USA Volleyball made quick work of Trinadad and Tobago in straight sets Saturday to move to 2-0 in Pool C at the 2018 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championships.

The Americans were dominant in every way, holding an advantage in attack percentage (.469 to .100), blocks (11 to 3) and service aces (13 to 0). Trinadad and Tobego, which is appearing in its first World Championship, struggled with execution, committing 17 errors to fall to 0-2 in Pool C action.

“Our team did a very nice job of taking care of our side of the net and not worrying about the other team, and executing our game plan,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “We were serving very tough and I like how everybody has been able to contribute so much early in this tournament.”

Outside Bartsch-Hackley led the USA with 10 kills, 3 blocks and 2 service aces, while middle Tetori Dixon contributed 13 kills, 4 blocks and 5 service aces. Channon Thompson notched 8 kills for Triniadad and Tobego in the loss.

Along with Bartsch-Hackley, the USA starting lineup also featured Dixon, middle Rachael Adams, opposite Karsta Lowe, setter Micha Hancock and libero Megan Courtney. Through 2 World Championship matches, 13 of 14 players have started for the Americans.

#24 Azerbaijan def. #10 South Korea 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 23-25, 25-18)

  • Azerbaijan moves to 1-1 (3 points); South Korea falls to 0-2 (1 point)
  • Attendance: 410
  • Match Stats

Azerbaijan evened its Pool C record, 1-1, with a victory in 4 sets over South Korea, which falls to 0-2, in Kobe Green Arena Saturday night. An 8 to 4 blocking advantage, 9 service aces and a kicked up pace keyed the win.

“We improved a lot compared to yesterday’s game (against USA) and cut out a lot of the mistakes,” Azerbaijan captain Odina Aliyeva said. “We made a game plan and were able to respond with some quick play. This led to our win.”

Polina Rahimova paced Azerbaijan with 20 kills and 3 service aces, followed by Jana Kulan, who registered 16 kills in the match. Hasanova led the team’s blocking front with 4 stuffs.

Kim Yeonkoung (18) and Park Jeongah (17) each posted double figure kill totals for South Korea, while Kim Suji notched a team-high 3 blocks.

#5 Russia def. #16 Thailand 3-2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-13, 25-21, 15-9)

  • Russia moves to 2-0 (5 points); Thailand falls to 1-1 (3 points)
  • Attendance: 260
  • Match Stats

After finding itself on the verge of a major upset, Russia rallied back from an 0-2 deficit to survive Thailand in 5 sets at the 2018 FIVB World Championships. The Russians were led to victory by Nataliya Goncharova, who contributed 27 kills, and Irina Koroleva, who notched 7 blocks.

Unforced errors kept Russia off-balance early, and nearly caused their demise. However, the Russians’ ability to make serve-receive adjustments and get used to Thailand’s quick pace of play spurred the comeback charge.

“We allowed Thailand to play very quick volleyball at the start of the match,” Russia captain Evgeniya Startseva said. “In the third set we adjusted to this quick movement and our serve became stronger so we were able to respond.”

For Thailand, Kokram Pimpichaya (19) and Kongyot Ajcharaporn (18) each posted double figure kill totals in the loss.

With the win, Russia remains undefeated 2-0 along with the USA. Thailand drops to 1-1 and is tied with Azerbaijan in Pool C standings.

Pool C Standings After September 30:

Matches Pts Sets Points
Rank Team W L W L Ratio W L Ratio
1  United States 2 0 6 6 0 MAX 154 102 1.510
2  Russia 2 0 5 6 2 3.000 178 137 1.299
3  Thailand 1 1 3 5 5 1.000 189 205 0.922
4  Azerbaijan 1 1 3 3 4 0.750 167 158 1.057
5  South Korea 0 2 1 3 6 0.500 181 194 0.933
6  Trinidad and Tobago 0 2 0 0 6 0.000 77 150 0.513
Date Time Score Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Total Report
29 Sep 13:40 Russia  3–0  Trinidad and Tobago 25–21 25–11 25–12 75–44 P2 Report
29 Sep 16:10 Azerbaijan  0–3  United States 27–29 21–25 21–25 69–79 P2 Report
29 Sep 19:20 South Korea  2–3  Thailand 25–18 22–25 19–25 25–13 11–15 102–96 P2 Report
30 Sep 13:40 United States  3–0  Trinidad and Tobago 25–11 25–11 25–11 75–33 P2 Report
30 Sep 16:10 Azerbaijan  3–1  South Korea 25–18 25–18 23–25 25–18 98–79 P2 Report
30 Sep 19:20 Thailand  2–3  Russia 25–21 25–17 13–25 21–25 9–15 93–103
2 Oct 13:40 Russia  –  Azerbaijan  
2 Oct 16:10 Trinidad and Tobago  –  Thailand  
2 Oct 19:20 United States  –  South Korea  
3 Oct 13:40 Azerbaijan  –  Trinidad and Tobago  
3 Oct 16:10 South Korea  –  Russia  
3 Oct 19:20 Thailand  –  United States  
4 Oct 13:40 Trinidad and Tobago  –  South Korea  
4 Oct 16:10 Thailand  –  Azerbaijan  
4 Oct 19:10 Russia  –  United States  

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