USA downs China for third straight WGP title
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, July 2, 2012
The United States won its third title in a row in the international FIVB World Grand Prix on Sunday with a sweep of host China (26-24, 25-21, 27-25) in straight sets.
|
|
|
Zeng Chunlei of China saw his attack blocked by U.S. players.[Photo: Sina.com] |
![Zeng Chunlei of China saw his attack blocked by U.S. players.[Photo: Sina.com]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/gif/site1007/20120702/001ec94a1d8b115b494c13.gif "Zeng Chunlei of China saw his attack blocked by U.S. players.[Photo: Sina.com]")
The U.S. team, ranked No. 1 in the world, finished the Grand Prix final with five consecutive wins while China, having a 1-4 win-loss record, ranked fifth at the six team tournament.
"Our team played some wonderful volleyball over the course of these four weeks and to be able to win this event for the third time in a row is certainly special," U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon said.
"Our team works hard and they play together — it's a special group. As our focus now shifts toward London, we will continue with our plan and we hope to play our best volleyball of 2012 at the games."
Megan Hodge, named the most valuable player of the tournament, had a match-high 17 points, while Danielle Scott-Arruda, the team captain, had 14 points with a match-high seven blocks.
China had three players in double scoring digits, led by Hui Ruoqi's 16.
Beijing Olympic champions Brazil tamed rising European powerhouse Turkey in four sets to finish runners-up to the United States. The Turkish women, who will make their Olympic Games debut in London in one month, could be satisfied with a bronze on a 3-2 win-loss record in their first journey to the World Grand Prix Finals.
Thailand saw off Cuba 3-0 Sunday afternoon to finish fourth ahead of China while the Cuban side settled for the bottom after losing five matches in a row.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)