US team eyes a title hat-trick at the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix – Volleyball News
US women’s national volleyball team, which already has two FIVB World Grand Prix titles in its care, is determined to make a hat-trick this year.
The American squad is currently playing at the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix, which took centre stage earlier this month. USA entered the competition alongside teams from Germany, Dominican Republic, and Chinese Taipei in Pool B. In the first round of the competition, US team played a total of three matches and remained without any loss.
The American ladies caught a good start in the campaign and edged out Germany in first fixture. In the next two matches, underdogs Chinese Taipei and Dominican Republic fell to US musketeers. City of Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic provided the backdrop for Pool B matches, but the hosts failed to take any advantage of the familiar conditions. However, USA exhibited up to mark performance and finished as the top team of Pool B.
Next up, the defending champions were joined by Italy, Brazil, and Germany in the second round of the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix. Brazilian city São Bernardo do Campo set up the field of play for Pool E matches. US team maintained its dominance and did not allow any other team in the group to hinder its performance. Italy, Germany, and hosts Brazil came into contest with USA on respective days, but failed to clinch success. Team USA continued with its winning ways and finished second week with another three wins.
In the third round of the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix, US team travelled to Bangkok, Thailand. Two-time defending champions, the United States, joined Argentina, hosts Thailand, and Serbia in Pool J. The fans got to witness the stellar feat of American team as it won all three matches.
US team completed the preliminary phase of the tournament with impeccable 9-0 record and bagged a total of 27 points, which moved the team to top position in standings.
In the next run, the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix is set to enter the Final Round. Chinese city of Ningbo will play host to the most influential Final Round from June 27 to July 1. Teams from Cuba, Brazil, Thailand, Turkey, USA, and hosts China will be on board to vie for the title trophy.
Americans squad is totally shaped up to claw its way to the top slot. The team is supervised by head coach Hugh McCutcheon, who has a wealth of experience. He has the ability to lead his team to the third World Grand Prix title.
USA will be the second team to complete a title hat-trick in the history of the World Grand Prix only if they manage to win the six-team final round in Ningbo. So far, Brazil is the only team that captured consecutive titles from 2004 to 2006.
US team will be required to produce a flawless performance, in order to live up the dream of holding the World Grand Prix title trophy for a third time in row.
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