Aug. 6, 2011

STANFORD, Calif. -The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team served 15 aces in defeating Kazakhstan 25-15, 25-21, 25-12, Saturday, during the 2011 FIVB World Grand Prix first preliminary weekend held at Luohe, China.

The U.S., ranked second in the FIVB world ranking and defending FIVB World Grand Prix champions in the premier annual international volleyball tournament, improved to 2-0 in Pool D with five group points. The Americans conclude Pool D action versus No. 6 China on Aug. 7 at 7:30 p.m. (4:30 a.m. PT) before leaving for Japan to start the second weekend of preliminary matches. The Americans have now won 13 consecutive FIVB World Grand Prix matches counting the final 11 victories in last year's event.

"I am happy to win," U.S. Women's National Team head coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "We improved from last night. Kazakhstan made some adjustment in the second set, and gave a lot pressure on us. I am glad we were able to respond. Our serving helped us a lot."

Stanford alum Foluke Akinradewo tallied four kills and two blocks for six points in the win. Destinee Hooker led the U.S. with 15 points on 11 kills, three aces and a block.

The U.S. held a dominating 15-2 service ace advantage while producing an 8-3 margin in blocks. The Americans, who limited their errors to 11 in the match, held a 41-32 margin in attack points.

Pool A at Bydgoszsz, Poland (Luczinczka Hall)
Aug. 5: Poland def. Argentina 25-20, 25-17, 25-22
Aug. 5: Italy def. Dominican Republic 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17
Aug. 6: Poland vs. Dominican Republic, 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 6: Italy vs. Argentina, 6 p.m.
Aug. 7: Poland vs. Italy, 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 7: Dominican Republic vs. Argentina, 6 p.m.

Pool B at Nakhonpathom, Thailand (Nakhonpathom Gym)
Aug. 5: Russia def. Cuba 24-26, 25-18, 25-23, 25-20
Aug. 5: Thailand def. Peru 25-20, 25-13, 25-16
Aug. 6: Russia def. Peru 25-12, 25-9, 25-14
Aug. 6: Cuba vs. Thailand, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 7: Peru vs. Cuba, 3 p.m.
Aug. 7: Russia vs. Thailand, 5:30 p.m.

Pool C at Busan, Korea (Sajik Indoor Gymnasium)
Aug. 5: Brazil def. Japan 25-18, 25-16, 25-21
Aug. 5: Korea def. Germany 25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 25-20
Aug. 6: Japan def. Korea 25-20, 25-21, 25-22
Aug. 6: Brazil def. Germany 25-21, 23-25, 25-15, 25-23
Aug. 7: Korea vs. Brazil, 2 p.m.
Aug. 7: Japan vs. Germany, 4:30 p.m.

Pool D at Luohe, China (Luohe Sports Center)
Aug. 5: USA def. Serbia 25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 20-25, 15-10
Aug. 5: China def. Kazakhstan 25-18, 25-23, 25-16
Aug. 6: USA def. Kazakhstan 25-15, 25-21, 25-12
Aug. 6: China vs. Serbia, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 7: Serbia vs. Kazahkstan, 4 p.m.
Aug. 7: USA vs. China, 7:30 p.m.

Courtesy of USA Volleyball