U.S. Women Fall to China in Battle of Top Ranked Teams - Articles

The U.S. Women’s National Team lost to China 25-20, 25-19, 15-25, 25-23 Sunday afternoon as the top two teams in the FIVB world rankings met in the third match of FIVB World Grand Prix Pool A in Ningbo, China. Team USA entered the match ranked No. 1, while China is No. 2 in the world. Replay can be seen here: Team USA, aiming to win its seventh World Grand Prix title and fifth in seven years, falls to 2-1 in this year’s World Grand Prix. The U.S. returns home next weekend to host the World Grand Prix Pool E weekend pod at Long Beach State University’s Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. The Americans host Germany on June 17, followed by No. 5 Japan on June 18 and No. 10 Turkey on June 19. Tickets can be purchased here: Middle Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Florida) led Team USA with 16 points with 10 kills on 22 swings, four blocks and two aces. Opposite Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Illinois), who came off the bench to start the final two sets, contributed 13 points with 10 kills on 25 attacks, two aces and a block. Outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Nebraska) added nine points with six kills, two blocks and an ace. Outside hitter Kim Hill (Portland, Oregon) tallied nine points with seven kills and two blocks in starting the first two sets. Middle Christa Dietzen (Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania) started the final two sets and scored four kills on eight attacks and four blocks for eight points. Outside hitter Kelsey...

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