Jordan Thompson leads USA win over Brazil

NANJING, China, July 5, 2019 – Opposite Jordan Thompson was on fire Friday as she scored 33 points in leading the U.S. Women’s National Team to a 25-18, 25-19, 20-25, 25-21 victory over Brazil to win the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Finals Round Pool B in Nanjing, China.

USA, now 14-3 overall in this year’s VNL, will face the winner of today’s China-Italy match from Pool A in Saturday’s semifinal match. Brazil will face Turkey, which won Pool A with a 2-0 record. Both USA and Brazil were assured of advancing to Saturday’s semifinal regardless of the outcome of their head-to-head match based on Poland going 0-2 in the three-team pool.

The U.S. Women are the defending VNL champions and ranked No. 3 in the world. Brazil, which had defeated the Americans in four sets during the VNL preliminary round in Lincoln, Nebraska, is ranked No. 4 in the world and finished in fourth place at last year’s VNL.

Thompson was near unstoppable throughout the match. She had 30 kills on 51 attacks, two blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Jordan Larson contributed 11 kills on 28 attacks and two aces for 13 points. Outside hitter Mikaela Foecke added 10 kills on 26 attacks and two aces for 12 points.