USA wins the World Grand Prix tournament – Volleyball news
Defending champions United States were up against China on Sunday, July 1, 2012 in Ningbo, China in the final round of the FIVB World Grand Prix. The thrilling match between the home side and the defending champions was being staged in the Ningbo Beilun
Gymnasium which was packed with a crowd of 7800 spectators. However, most of them went home disappointed as the US were able to bag their third straight World Grand Prix title after defeating China by making a clean sweep over them.
USA was able to grab the title match in one hour and 33 minutes by winning the three sets at the following scores: 26-24, 25-21 and 27-25.
The coach of the US side, Hugh McCutcheon, shared his delight at the win by making the following comments, “I am very proud of what the team achieved during last four weeks. It is a difficult competition, and tonight is tough...It is wonderful to see players
to make play in big moments. It is a great win.”
On the other hand, the coach of the home team Yu Juemin expressed himself by giving the following statements, “Congratulation to America to win the title. We have many players injured during the tournament, but our young players played quite well today.
Our reception is much better than before and attackers are brave on court against the big defence of USA.”
The player with the highest number of points in the entire match was Megan Hodge from USA as she tallied a score of 17. Hodge was helped by her team mate Danielle Scott-Arruda who was able to score 14 points of her own. The most active player on the home
team was h*i Ruoqi as she put up 16 points for China.
The opening set of the match started off with both the teams playing competitively but US was able to inch ahead with an advantage at 8-6. After that point, US propelled themselves forward to extend the gap till 14-8 but China made an impressive show and
closed in the gap at 23-21. The match got to a draw at 24-24 but US sealed the deal on the first set at 26-24.
China was leading in the second set at 5-4 but when the first technical time out came, US had the lead which they were able to stretch till 16-9. China was still trailing behind at 20-10 but they were able to speed up with an 11-3 run. However, US did not
let things slip out of their hands and secured the second set at 25-21.
China had the lead in the third set at 5-1 but the match got tied at 8-8. It reached another tie at 18-18 and then again at 25-25. After a tough struggle, US finally got its hands on the third frame at 27-25.
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