USA players celebrate after collecting their fourth consecutive victory in Pool B
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 – World top-ranked United States defeated Italy 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20) to remain as the only undefeated team of Pool B in the women’s volleyball tournament at Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The American team already qualified to the quarterfinals with a 4-0 win-loss record, handed Italy their fourth loss in a row.
Foluke Akinradewo and Kimberly Hill led a balanced offence by the winners with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Karsta Lowe and Rachael Adams contributed 12 and 10 in the victory.
Paola Egonu carried much of the load of the Italian attack with 20 points and a low 20 percentage of effectiveness in her attempts.
USA held the advantage in attacks 66-44 but also gave away 30 points with errors to 24 by the Italian team that was better in blocks 14-5.
Two spikes by Akinradewo opened a three-point gap for USA in the first set for 15-12 and the Americans sealed it 25-22 with a spike by Larson.
In the second set, Adams and Hill scored with spikes around a kill blocked by Murphy to give USA a 21-18 lead. A failed-serve by Del Core closed the actions at 25-22.
Italy led as many as eight points 16-8 in the third set but USA came within one point but Egonu sealed for the Italian side 25-23 with a big spike.
Italy erased a three-point deficit to tie the fourth set at 20-all only to see USA winning the next five points to seal their fourth victory.
Quick links - Volleyball: