Nagoya, Japan, September 4, 2015 – Russia hammered reigning world champions and tournament leaders the United States 3-0 here Friday afternoon to stay in title contention at the 2015 FIVB Women’s World Cup.
The Russian women surprisingly beat the Americans 25-17, 31-19 and 25-23 for their eighth victory in nine matches while the United States slipped to a 7-2 win-loss record. Tatiana Kosheleva received the Most Impressive Player award after scoring game-high 16 points for Russia. Yana Shcherban, Nataliya Obmochaeva and Irina Fetisova contributed 14 points each for Russia, who outblocked the United States 16-9.
Going down tamely in the first set, the United States fought back bravely in the set for a 19-15 advantage. However, the Russian women steadily pulled it back at 22-all and beat off three set points before Nataliya Obmochaeva drove a ball out off-bounds and Tatiana Kosheleva jumped high from the back row to smash the ball home to clinch the set for Russia. In the third set, Tetori Dixon saved one match point for the United States to pull within 24-23, but Irina Fetisova converted on the second with a smash.
Kimberly Hill led the American scoring with 13 points, but the United States had their hope of winning the first World Cup title demolished.