Women's Preliminaries/Pool B
RUS vs. CUB
Russia Upsets Cuba
The Russian Federation upset Cuba and moved into second place in the final pool B standings on Sunday at the Omni Coliseum.
Russia finished pool play with a 4-1 record, while Cuba dropped to 3-2 overall and into third place in the competition.
Cuba, the defending Olympic Games champion, started well in the first set as its high-power offense guided them to a 15-10 victory. After the first set, Russia adjusted their blocking scheme and shutdown the Cuban attack.
Russia will face the Netherlands in quarterfinal action while Cuba battles the United States. Both matches will be played in the Omni Coliseum on Tuesday (30 July).
Final Score: RUS def. CUB 10-15, 15-6, 15-7, 15-8.
CAN vs. PER
Canada Notches Olympic Games Victory
Canada recorded a thrilling 16-17, 15-6, 11-15, 15-9, 15-12 victory over Peru in the final preliminary match of the competition on Sunday at the Omni Coliseum.
It marked the only win of the tournament for Canada leaving its final record at 1-4, while Peru dropped to 0-5 for the competition. Neither team advanced to the quarterfinals.
After falling behind two sets to one, Canada rallied behind the offensive play of Janis KELLY and Josee CORBEIL.
Final Score: CAN def. PER 16-17, 15-6, 11-15, 15-9, 15-12..
USA vs. KOR
United States Clinches Second Place
The United States rallied to post a 10-15, 15-13, 15-9, 15-3 victory over Korea on Sunday at the University of Georgia in Athens.
With the victory the United States finished pool A play with a record of 4-1 and clinched second place overall. The USA will meet the third place team from pool B in the quarterfinals, which means a match against the Russian Federation or Cuba. Korea, which ended pool play with a record of 2-3, will also advance to the quarterfinals to face a yet to be determined team.
Korea jumped out to a big lead in the first set and held on for an easy victory and the second set started the same way. With Korea leading 9-4, Lori ENDICOTT replaced Yoko ZETTERLUND as the USA setter and rallied the team to the victory. The USA finally turned up their game in sets three and four, and rolled to victory in each set. Tara CROSS-BATTLE led the United States with 32 kills and 4 blocks, while Elaina ODEN added 6 blocks and 1 service ace. CHUNG Sun-Hye led Korea with 21 kills.
Final Score: USA def. KOR 10-15, 15-13, 15-9, 15-3.
UKR vs. NED
The Netherlands Finishes Third in Pool A
The Netherlands wrapped up third place in pool A with a 15-3, 15-5, 15-5 victory over Ukraine on Sunday at the University of Georgia in Athens.
The Netherlands finished pool A play with a record of 3-2, while the loss dropped Ukraine to 0-5 for the competition. The Netherlands will now face the number two seed from pool B in quarterfinal action.
Henriette WEERSING continued her dominating performance during the Olympic Games as she recorded 12 kills to lead the Netherlands. Cintha BOERSMA added 3 blocks and 1 service ace. Ukraine was led by Olena SYDORENKO who posted 17 kills, 2 blocks and 1 service ace.
Final Score: NED def. UKR 15-3, 15-5, 15-5.
CHN vs. JPN
China Clinches Top Spot in Pool A: The People's Republic of China secured the number-one seed in pool A with a 16-14, 15-11, 15-10 victory over Japan on Sunday in the Omni Coliseum.
China finished pool play with a perfect 5-0 record and dropped only three sets along the way. China will now face the number four-seeded team from pool B in quarterfinal action on Tuesday (30 July). Japan finished the competition with a record of 1-4.
Japan remained in the match because of its outstanding defensive play, but did not have the offensive firepower to match the Chinese.
China was paced by LI Yan who recorded 19 kills, 5 blocks and 1 service ace. Motoko OBAYASHI led Japan with 25 kills and Asako TAJIMI added 17 kills and 2 blocks.
Final Score: CHN def. JPN 16-14, 15-11, 15-10.
"I think that even though we won 3-0 it was a difficult match," said China head coach LANG Ping. "The next round will be most difficult and we must prepare for that."
BRA vs. GER
Brazil Caps Undefeated Preliminary Round:
Brazil capped an undefeated preliminary round with a 15-4, 13-15, 15-6, 15-8 victory over Germany in pool B play on Sunday in the Omni Coliseum.
Brazil finished pool play with a 5-0 record and secured the number-one seed and will face either Korea or the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Germany, which finished pool play with a 2-3 record, also advanced to quarterfinal action where it will face China.
After capturing the first set easily, Brazil dropped the second set 15-13. The Brazilians then rebounded to pound the Germans in the next two sets.
Virna DIAS led Brazil with 33 kills and Ana MOSER added 18 kills. Germany was led by Nancy CELIS, who recorded 18 kills.
Final Score: BRA def. GER 15-4, 13-15, 15-6, 15-8.
"We began the match very well today," said Brazilian head coach Bernardo REZENDE. "We were blocking and serving like we have for most of the Olympic Games. We lost our concentration in the second set. But that just shows us that we have to concentrate because anyone can beat us."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.
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