1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 18 25 25 BUL 14 25 17 21 U.S. Women Down Bulgaria in Second Challenge Series Match ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 16, 2012) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team improved to 2-0 in its three-match Bulgaria Challenge Series with a 25-14, 1825, 25-17, 25-21 victory over Bulgaria on Monday at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California. The U.S. Women, ranked No. 1 in the world, dominated Bulgaria in blocks (19-6) and also led in kills (58-51) and aces (4-2). “This building is amazing,” said U.S. libero Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) who played college volleyball at USC. “I dreamed of playing in it, but it was not built when I was here. Right now we are trying to improve by millimeters. It could be the difference in a close match.” Opposite Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) led all scorers with 21 points on a match-high 17 kills and four blocks. Outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) added 16 points on 12 attacks, three blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) totaled 15 points on 13 attacks, one block and one ace. Middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) finished with 10 points on four kills, a match-high five blocks and one ace. Middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) tallied nine points on five attacks and four stuff blocks. Opposite Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) totaled eight points on six attacks and two blocks. Setter Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) added two points on one attack and one ace.
Nicole Davis, a University of Southern California alum, returned to her alma mater and helped the U.S. dig a four-set win over Bulgaria. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)
U.S. libero Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) finished with 17 digs. Berg set the U.S. Women to a 42.2 kill percent and a .358 hitting efficiency. Bulgaria’s kill percent was 36.6 and its hitting efficiency was .367. U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) started Tom and Larson at outside hitter, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, Hooker at opposite, Berg at setter and Davis at libero. Haneef-Park, defensive specialist Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) and setter Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) played as substitutes. Left: Foluke Akinradewo hits over the Bulgaria block. Below: Christa Harmotto blocks down a Bulgaria attack. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)
Fans of all ages cheered on the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team to victory against Bulgaria on July 16. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)
Danielle Scott-Arruda signs autographs after the match. (Copyright USA Volleyball/Bill Kauffman)
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