Callao, Peru, August 10, 2015 –Russia beat USA 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-23, 15-10) for their third victory without losses in Pool C of the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship at Miguel Grau Coliseum on Monday.
Ksenia Smirnova and Elizaveta Kotova were the top offensive players for Russia with 17 and 15 points, respectively. Khalia Lanier with 18 points was the top offensive player in the losing effort
.USA had the edge in spikes 61-50 and in aces 8-5. The winners made 20 errors, 14 less than USA.
The Americans took early control of the first set, the technical time out were 8-3 and 16 -6; with a great performance of middle blocker Regan Pittman, USA close 25 -19.
Supported by a huge number of Russian fans and strong services, the team of Svetlana Safronova had the advantage in second set 8-3 and never looked back. Another unforced error of USA closed the set 25-20.
The third set was a real battle until the second technical time out, but USA´s wing spiker Khalia Lanier’s spikes were unbearable and the score finished 25-19 for The Americans. However, Ksenia Smirnova was the alternative for Russian in the four set and Europeans close a dramatic set 25-23.
Russia proved to be stronger and close the final set 15-10 by an ace of Angelina Lazarenko.