USA defeated the Netherlands after straight game reaching 4th spot in global classification after five legs. Serbia came up to its sad duty and outclassed the outsiders of Algeria. Serbia has lost only one set so far in the World Grand Prix leading the standing along with China. It is worth setting down the Jelena Nikolic’s return to the starting line-up after maternity leave.

 

 

Algeria – Serbia 0 – 3 (11-25, 12-25, 11-25)

Algeria: Magnana 3, Arbouche 7, Abderrahim 2, Mezemate 6, Aissou 2, Boukhima 3, Mansouri (L) and Ousalah, Saoud, Ait, Achour
Serbia: Zivkovic 4, Malesevic 3, Ninkovic 7,Bjelica 17, Nikolic 13, Rasic 4, Majstorovic (L) and Malagurski 6, Krsmanovic 4

Victory stretched Serbia’s longest World Grand Prix winning streak to six matches, with a 5-0 record this year.

Ana Bjelica of Serbia topped the match scoring with 17 points, including three blocks, while Jelena Nikolic also added 13 points for the winners.

Serbia coach Zoran Terzic used the match to let some of his reserves show their skills on the court, and while clear underdogs of the competition, Algeria made an effort but couldn’t avoid another loss, their fifth in as many matches.

In each set, Serbia had a comfortable lead by the first technical time-out and left Algeria with an unreachable deficit. Coach Saimani Aidad Eddine tried to disturb the home side with frequent time-outs, but could not avoid his team falling behind.

In the end, it was an easy straight-sets win for the home favourites, and left Algeria yet to score a win, or even a set, in the 2013 competition.

Team Stats:

Actions Spike points Spike % Block Serve Dig Reception Sets note Unforced Errors
Algeria 17 20% 3 3 5 20% 0.67 21
Serbia 29 45% 14 11 21 28% 4 11

 

Team Leaders:

Actions/Players Points Spike points Spike % Spike errors Block Serve Unforced Errors
Kahina Arbouche 7 7 36% 5 0 0 5
Ana Bjelica 17 10 43% 3 3 4 5

 

World Grand Prix

 

USA – The Netherlands 3 – 0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-12)

USA: A. Glass 3, Hildebrand 13, Adams 5, Murphy 12, Hill 9, Gibbemeyer 14, Banworth (L) and Thompson, Lichtman, Faucette 3, Harmotto 5, Hood
The Netherlands: Stoltenborg 1, Grothues 3, De Kruijf 5, Flier 6, Buijs 13, Steenbergen 2, Knip (L) and Renkema, Plak 1, Belien 1, Dijkema

I t was the USA’s fourth victory of the 2013 World Grand Prix season and snapped an eight-year-old losing streak after defeats against the Netherlands in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Netherlands started the match with more determination, and by the first technical time-out were two points ahead at 8-6, but USA’s Kimberly Hill created so many problems for the Dutch receivers on her serve, that the USA were able to get even and then get ahead. Netherlands picked up the pace and got back in front at 16-14, but once again the USA tied the set (17-17) so the teams entered the final stage on level terms. In an exciting finish Cassidy Lichtmann‘s tricky services were a problem for the Dutch receivers and the USA wrapped it up 25-20.

The second set saw USA take firm control of the match. At the first technical time-out the USA were in front (8-5) and their lead only got bigger. Netherlands struggled to find an answer and the USA doubled their lead and took the second set 25-16 for a 2-0 lead.

With Hill on serve, the USA picked up the first six points of the third set and made a clear statement to the Netherlands that they wanted to wrap up the match in straight sets.USA coach Karch Kiraly took the opportunity to let some of the reserves play out the final set, and a Regan Hood ace made it 25-12 for a flawless victory.  

Team Stats:

Actions Spike points Spike % Block Serve Dig Reception Sets note Unforced Errors
USA 48 49% 12 7 26 45% 9.67 16
Netherlands 25 20% 5 2 16 39% 4 8

 

Team Leaders:

Actions/Players Points Spike points Spike % Spike errors Block Serve Unforced Errors
Kelly Murphy 12 10 41% 2 2 0 3
Anne Buijs 13 11 55% 1 1 1 1

 

Description: FIVB