“Tomorrow could be too late, I wish I could change the day. Tomorrow could be too late, If only you had some faith.” From the song “Tomorrow” by the Cranberries.
China and USA have their backs against the wall and must win tomorrow or they are eliminated from the Women’s World Volleyball Championship. After crushing defeats in straight set losses, both teams must regroup and play better if they are to have any chance of surviving.
Italy Tops USA
Italy defeated USA in straight sets, 25-23, 25-22, and 25-20. After winning their first six matches of the tournament, USA has now embarked on a two match losing streak. The Italian team out-hit the USA team, 52 to 42 kills, and out-blocked them as well, 9 to 2 blocks. USA led in each of the first two sets but surrendered the lead to Italy and lost each set. Italy then dominated the third set and swept the match.
USA takes on Russia tomorrow, 10/9/2014, at 2:00 PM Eastern USA time, in a Round 1 rematch. USA won the first contest and they must win this match if they are to have any hope of advancing to the semifinals. Candidly, USA probably needs to sweep Russia to have any chance at all of advancing.
Brazil defeats China
Brazil, the number one ranked team in the world, crushed China in a one-sided sweep, 25-19, 25-16, and 25-15. Brazil out-hit China, 49 to 33 kills, and out-blocked them, 11 to 2 blocks. Brazil dominated this match from start to finish and left little doubt in the spectator’s minds about their intentions on the Volleyball court.
In a Round 2 rematch, China battles Dominican Republic tomorrow, 10/9/2014, at 11:30 AM Eastern USA time. This match is obviously a must win contest for China.
Pool Rankings at end of Play, October 8, 2014
| POOL G | ||
| COUNTRY | POINTS | RECORD |
| Italy | 3 | 1 – 0 |
| USA | 0 | 0 – 1 |
| Russia | 0 | 0 – 0 |
| POOL H | ||
| COUNTRY | POINTS | RECORD |
| Brazil | 3 | 1 – 0 |
| China | 0 | 0 – 1 |
| Dominican Republic | 0 | 0 – 0 |
Match Schedule for Thursday, October 9, 2014
|
Day 17 |
Date |
Local
Italy Time |
Eastern
US Time |
Teams Playing |
City |
| Thursday
Round 3 |
10/9 | 5:30 PM | 11:30 AM | China versus
Dominican Republic |
Milan |
| Thursday
Round 3 |
10/9 | 8:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Russia versus
USA |
Milan |
I hope you are somehow able to watch these wonderful Volleyball contests. I know there will be around 12,000 fans filling up the arena in Milan as well as countless fans watching worldwide. Try to join them, please.
And, as always, let’s grow Volleyball together, please!
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