Women's Preliminaries/Pool A
CHN vs. USA
China Assumes Control of Pool A:
The People's Republic of China took control of pool A play with a 15-8, 15-2, 12-15, 15-12 victory over the United States on Wednesday in the Omni Coliseum. Both teams teams entered the match with 2-0 records, but China took control of the match from the outset in handing the Americans their first loss of the competition. Despite the loss the United States remains in second place in pool play and will likely advance to medal round play. China and Brazil are the only teams that are undefeated at the halfway point of the competition. China was led by SUN Ye who had 26 kills, 3 blocks and 1 service ace. LI Yan added 20 kills to the Chinese attack. The United States attack was led by Elaina ODEN who had 20 kills and 3 blocks. Final Score: CHN def. USA 15-8, 15-2, 12-15, 15-12.
"This was a very important match for both teams," said China head coach LANG Ping. "We prepared well for the United States and we played consistently throughout the match. Our consistency was why we won."
KOR vs. UKR
Korea Moves Into Second Place Tie:
Korea took an important step towards qualifying for the medal round with a 15-3, 15-10, 15-7 victory over the Ukraine on Wednesday in the Omni Coliseum in pool A play. The victory improves Korea's record to 2-1 overall and moves them into a tie with the United States for second place in pool play. Korea will face the Netherlands (1-2) on Friday (26 Jul) before concluding pool play against the United States on Sunday (28 Jul). The loss dropped the Ukraine record to 0-3 in pool play competition. Korea was led by CHUNG Sun-Hye who recorded 14 kills and 2 service aces, while CHANG Yoon-Hee and PARK Soo-Jeong added 11 kills each. Tetyana IVANYUSHKYNA led the Ukraine with 13 kills. Final Score: KOR def. UKR 15-3, 15-10, 15-7.
KIM Cheol-Yong, Korean head coach on the teams next match versus the Netherlands: "The Netherlands has a very strong team. We will have to play a good serve and receive match. If we practice that we should have a good match."
BRA vs. RUS
Brazil Remains Unbeaten:
Brazil remained undefeated in group B volleyball play with a 15-3, 15-11, 15-13 victory over the Russian Federation on Wednesday at the University of Georgia in Athens. The loss knocked Russia (2-1) from the ranks of the undefeated and left Brazil (3-0) in first place. Brazil virtually assured itself of a berth in the medal round with the victory having already played two of the other top three teams in the pool. Russia is also in solid position in the quest for a berth in the medal round. Marcia Fu CUNHA topped Brazil with 20 kills and also added 2 blocks and 1 service ace. Virna DIAS, who replaced injured star Hilma CALDEIRA, had 17 kills and 2 blocks. Evguenia ARTAMONOVA paced Russia with 14 kills, 2 blocks and 2 service aces. Final Score: BRA def. RUS 15-3, 15-11, 15-13.
"It was a very important match for us," said Brazilian captain Ana FLAVIA. "It was important to keep our rhythm going after Cuba. We served very well and blocked and defended very well. We had a good system today."
CUB vs. PER
Cuba Rebounds From Loss to Crush Peru:
Cuba rebounded from an earlier loss to record a decisive 3-0 victory over Peru on Wednesday at the University of Georgia in Athens. Cuba, which improved to 2-1 in group B, had no trouble with Peru in the 15-2, 15-5, 15-10 sweep. The victory keeps Cuba in the hunt for the top position in group B, remaining only one game behind Brazil. Peru dropped to 0-3 in group play. Final Score: CUB def. PER 15-2, 15-5, 15-10.
NED vs. JPN
Netherlands Notches First Olympic Games Victory:
The Netherlands recorded its first victory of the Olympic Games with a convincing 15-3, 15-10, 15-3 victory over Japan Wednesday in the Omni Coliseum. The victory gives the Netherlands hope of advancing to the medal round, while Japan slipped to 1-2 and saw its medal round hopes greatly diminished. The Netherlands concludes pool A play versus Korea and Ukraine, while Japan faces the top two seeded teams in the pool -- China and the United States. Henriette WEERSING continued to shine by leading the Netherlands with 24 kills and 1 service ace. Erna BRINKMAN added 15 kills and 3 blocks. Japan was led by Tomoko YOSHIHARA, who had 14 kills, 1 block and 1 service ace. Final Score: NED def. JPN 15-3, 15-10, 15-3.
"I am satisfied about our play," said Cintha BOERSMA (NED). "We are playing on a great level. We kept the Japan team under pressure and they didn't have a chance to play their own game."
CAN vs. GER
Germany Upends Canada for Second Straight Win
: Germany got its offensive attack untracked early on in rolling to a 15-5, 15-12, 15-6 victory over Canada for its second straight win in pool B play on Wednesday in the Omni Coliseum. Germany, which is now 2-1 in pool play, now has an excellent opportunity to advance to the medal round. Canada, which has yet to win a set during the competition, dropped to 0-3 in the competition. Germany was led by Sylvia ROLL who recorded 20 kills and 1 service ace. Nancy CELIS chipped in 16 kills and 1 service ace. Janis KELLY, one of the top all-around players in the competition, led Canada with 21 kills and 1 service ace. Final Score: GER def. CAN 15-5, 15-12, 15-6.
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| Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium. |