1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 SRB 22 20 21 U.S. Women Sweep Serbia to Reach Gold-Medal Match MACAU, China (Aug. 27, 2011) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team is one win away from defending its FIVB World Grand Prix title as Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) scored 20 points in leading the Americans over Serbia 25-22, 25-20, 25-21 on Aug. 27 during the FIVB World Grand Prix semifinal round being held in Macau, China.
Nicole Davis reaches to pass the ball as Jordan Larson watches. (FIVB photo)
The U.S. used a 4-0 run to take a 19-14 lead in the opening set and held on for a 25-22 victory. Team USA broke a 13-all tie in the second set with a 4-1 scoring run and ended the period with the final three points at 25-20. The Americans broke a 10-all tie in the third set with a 6-1 run thanks to five Serbia errors to go into the second technical timeout leading 16-11, only to have Serbia rally to tie the set at 20-all. However, the U.S. scored five of the final six points to close out the set 25-21. Hooker totaled her 20 points via 15 kills on 37 attacks and match-high five blocks. Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) added 10 kills on 19 errorless attacks, one block and one ace for 12 points. Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) contributed 10 points with six kills on 13 swings, three blocks and an ace. Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) scored five kills on 18 attacks, while Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) added four kills on seven attacks and a block. Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) rounded out the scoring with a kill. “Serbia had a remarkable run at this tournament to be here in the semifinal,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “They played wonderful volleyball for the whole four weeks. From the start today we knew it would be a difficult match. On our side we think we applied strong pressure from the service line, which enabled us to get our blockers and defense into some good positions.”
Destinee Hooker attacks while Foluke Akinradewo and Jordan Larson prepare to cover a potential block by Serbia. (FIVB photo)
Berg was credited with 15 assists to help the Americans convert 43.2 percent of its attacks with a .379 hitting efficiency. In contrast, Serbia converted 37.4 percent of its attacks with a .235 efficiency. Larson secured 12 excellent receptions on 27 service receptions, both team highs. Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) added four excellent receptions and three digs. “Tonight every player on the team had a goal of playing as hard as we could,” U.S. Women’s National Team captain Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.) said. ”We wanted to get to the final. Our goal for this tournament is to get better as a team, and I think tonight we accomplished that.” McCutcheon started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Bown at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite and Berg at setter. Davis was the libero for the match. Alisha Davis (Leland, Mich.) was a sub in the third set. Team USA held a commanding 10-3 advantage in blocks and Serbia committed 22 errors in the match to the Americans’ 12 errors. Serbia held a 5-2 margin in aces a slim 43-41 advantage in kills. Jovana Brakocevic led Serbia with 19 points all on kills. Sanja Malgurski chipped in 16 points on 11 kills, three blocks and two aces in the loss. “USA played really well tonight,” Serbia coach Zoran Terzic said. “I am satisfied with the way we played. We played three times against the USA, and all three times we played well, but the quality of USA was better tonight. I have a lot of respect for the USA team, not only for the quality of the players, but also their attitude and the coaches.”
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(Above) Fans, including a Logan Tom fan club, was cheering on the U.S. Women’s National Team. (Left) A fan shows her support with the American flag. (FIVB photo)