United States booked a ticket to the quarterfinals of the women's tournament
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10, 2016 – The United States became the first team to seal a spot in the quarterfinals of the women’s volleyball tournament at Rio 2016 Olympic Games by defeating Serbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19) in a match between the only undefeated sides in Pool B on Wednesday.
USA improved to a 3-0 win-loss mark with two other teams of the same pool –Italy and Puerto Rico- already with 0-3 marks.
Rachael Adams had 18 points, including four aces, as the best offensive American player, followed by Foluke Akinradewo who scored four blocks among her 16 points. Kimberly Hill and Jordan Larson contributed 12 and 11 points in the victory.
Tijana Boskovic and Brankica Mihajlovic each had 18 points for Serbia, while Jovana Stevanovic finished with nine points in the loss.
Akinradewo scored with three spikes and three blocks to lead the United States to claim first set 25-17.
Serbia recovered to win the second set with the good defence at the net led by Boskovic and Mihajlovic carrying the load of the attack.
Hill broke a tie at 8-8 with a spike and United States took a lead they did not relinquish. Akinradewo finished on fire scoring four of the last five points for the 25-18 score in the third set.
In the fourth USA opened a four-point gap for 16-10 with two opponent errors and a ace by Adams. The set concluded by a six-point difference.