USA
Decisive two points were errors, unfortunately. It was 13-13 in last set when Natalia Malykh spiked the ball in out twice and victory belonged to USA.
Russia opened tie break with 5-3 after a block by Malykh on Fawcett and a spike by Chaplina, prompting Kiraly to call a timeout. The Americans levelled at 6-6 and led by two points at 9-7 following a huge kill by Hildebrand, but it was level again at 9-9. After the Americans dropped two points to make the scores level at 11, Kiraly called another timeout. The scores were level at 12 and 13 when Malykh sent a shot down the line just wide to give USA matchpoint. Malykh then did exactly the same thing to hand the match to the Americans.
Natalia Malykh was the top scorer in the match with 26 points, while the Americans’ top scorer was Jordan Larson–Burbach with 23. USA setter Alisha Glass was named Player of the Match.
Nicole Fawcett contributed 15 points, including three big aces, to the victory, while Kirstin Hillebrand and Lauren Gibbemeyer added 12 and 10, respectively, in the win. Russia’s Liuvob Shashkova finished with 22 in the losing effort.
To read more news from this competition click on World Grand Champions Cup 2013 W.
