China and Russia score back-to-back wins on Day 2 of World Cup

Tokyo and Matsumoto, Japan, August 23, 2015 – China and Russia have recorded back-to-back triumphs, while Dominican Republic, Argentina, Korea and Serbia broke into the win column in the first round of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

At the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, the Dominican Republic recorded their first victory in straight sets (28-26, 26-24, 25-17) over Kenya. The Dominicans were certainly challenged by the Kenyans in the first and second sets but their determination carried them to secure the sets and prepare them to gain better control in the third frame. Gina Altagracia Mabru Casilla once again contributed well on offence with 17 points to top all scorers in the match.

Argentina showed excellent blocking and service game that resulted to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-23) victory over Cuba. Argentine captain Emilce Sosa scored 17 points, including five of the 13 total blocks on the Cuban attacks.

Russia had a cardiac finish against hosts Japan 3-2 (12-25, 25-18, 25-21, 23-25, 15-13). Russia’s Tatiana Kosheleva produced 34 big markers, including 29 spikes and five blocks to lead all scorers. Nataliya Obmochaeva also brought in big numbers for the European side with 22 points, while Japan captain Saori Kimura finished with 23 points. With the victory, Russia are one of the two teams that are unbeaten after two days of competition at the World Cup.

Meanwhile, at the Matsumoto National Gymnasium, Korea capitalised on their excellent blocking advantage over Peru to gain their first victory at 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-18). Yang Hyo-Jin took charge of the scoring with 14 points, while team-mates Lee Jaeyeong and Kim Yeon-Koung added 12 and 8 points, respectively.

Zeng Chunlei led China to dominate Algeria 3-0 (25-5, 25-11, 25-8). Zeng top scored with 12 points and got scoring support from Liu Yanhan with 11 points. China showed its strength early in the competition with their second consecutive victory in the tournament.

Serbia outlasted USA in the five-setter (25-20, 22-25, 18-25, 25-19, 15-6) to end the day’s matches at Matsumoto. Tijana Boskovic unleashed a total of 20 points from attacks and serves and added three more on blocks to lead Serbia to their first victory in the tournament. Brankica Mihajlovic also recorded a huge output of 21 points from 19 spikes and two blocks. Foluke Akinradewo and Christa Harmotto Dietzen of USA had 12 and 11 points, respectively.

26 – Mercy Moim of Kenya v Cuba on August 22

34 – Tatiana Kosheleva of Russia v Japan on August 23

34 – Tatiana Kosheleva of Russia v Japan on August 23

26 – Mercy Moim of Kenya v Cuba on August 22

25 – Regla Gracia of Cuba v Kenya on August 22

24 – Zhu Ting of China v Serbia on August 22

24 – Nataliya Obmochaeva of Russia v Dominican Republic on August 22

23 – Saori Kimura of Japan v Russia on August 23

23 – Tijana Boskovic of Serbia v USA on August 23

5 – Zhang Changning of China v Serbia on August 22

4 – Tijana Boskovic of Serbia v USA on August 23

4 – Saori Kimura of Japan v Argentina on August 22

4 – Everlyn Makuto of Kenya v Cuba on August 22

4 - Foluke Akinradewo of USA v Korea on August 22

10 – Serbia v USA on August 23

10 - USA v Korea on August 22

6 – Milena Rasic of Serbia v USA on August 23

6 – Maja Ognjenovic of Serbia v USA on August 23

6 – Zhu Ting of China v Serbia on August 22

5 – Tatiana Kosheleva of Russia v Japan on August 23

5 – Emilce Sosa of Argentina v Cuba on August 23

5 – Yang Hyo-Jin of Korea v Peru on August 23

5 – Nataliya Obmochaeva of Russia v Dominican Republic on August 22

22 – Serbia v USA on August 23

16 – Korea v Peru on August 23

14 – China v Serbia on August 22

27-25 Cuba v Kenya (1st set) on August 22

28-26 Dominican Republic v Kenya (1st set) on August 23

184 - Cuba d Kenya 3-1 (27-25, 25-23, 12-25, 25-22) on August 22

202 – Russia d Japan 3-2 (12-25, 25-18, 25-21, 23-25, 15-13) on August 23