Russia stand as lone unbeaten team on Day 3 of World Cup

Tokyo and Matsumoto, Japan, August 24, 2015 – Russia stood as the lone unbeaten squad after China lost to the United States in straight sets on the third day of competition at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup on Monday.

In Tokyo, the towering Russians overwhelmed the Kenyans 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-21), but the latter gave the European side a hard time to close the third set. Kenyan attackers challenged the tough Russian blocks but Tatiana Kosheleva’s presence made it hard for Kenya on transition. Kosheleva and Kenya’s Brackcides Khadambi had 16 points each in the match.

Dominican Republic started strong with a 2-0 set advantage but Argentina reorganized their plays that changed the outcome of the third set. The Dominicans recovered in time for a 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 25-15) win over the South Americans, giving them a 2-1 win-loss card in Site A.

Japan’s astonishing endurance was at its pure form as Cuba tremendously struggled to drill the tough net and floor defence implemented by the hosts. Japan dictated the tempo throughout the match that resulted to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-16) win over Cuba. Sarina Koga and Miyu Nagaoka scored 19 and 14 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, in Matsumoto City Gymnasium, Lee Soyoung stepped up on offence as Korea defeated African side Algeria 3-0 (25-8, 25-9, 25-19) to get a 2-1 win-loss record in Site B. Lee Soyoung scored 12 points, including 11 spikes and an ace, while rival Nawal Hammouche charted seven points for Algeria.

Serbia overwhelmed Peru in a 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-10) contest to score their second straight victory in the competition. The Serbians led on all fronts against Peru. Stefana Veljkovic and Jelena Nikolic combined for 26 points, which is more than half of the total point output of their opponents.

USA were back in winning form as they defeated Asian champions China 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-23). Zhu Ting of China topped all scorers with 17 points on a losing effort. USA, on the other hand, had more scoring support as Karsta Lowe, Kimberly Hill and Foluke Akinradewo finished with 16, 14 and 11 points, respectively.

26 – Mercy Moim of Kenya v Cuba on August 22

34 – Tatiana Kosheleva of Russia v Japan on August 23

19 – Sarina Koga of Japan v Cuba on August 24

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 – Miyu Nagaoka of Japan v Cuba on August 24

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 – Korea v Algeria on August 24

10 – Serbia v USA on August 23

10 - USA v Korea on August 22

6 – Julieta Constanza Lazcano of Argentina v Dominican Republic on August 24

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 – Marianne Fersola Norberto of Dominican Republic v Argentina on August 24

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 – Dominican Republic v Argentina on August 24

14 – Argentina v Dominican Republic on August 24

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

25-23 USA v China (1st and 3rd sets) on August 24

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

177 – Dominican Republic d Argentina 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 25-15) on August 24