USA get closer to Tokyo 2020

SHREVEPORT, United States, August 3, 2019 – Host United States overcame Bulgaria 3-2 (21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10) moving one step closer to seal a ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Americans need one victory over Argentina on Sunday to secure their place in the Olympics.

Jordan Larson and Jordan Thompson led the attack of USA with 23 and 19 points, respectively. Elitsa Vasileva and Miroslava Paskova had 24 and 21 for Bulgaria.

In Pool F in Catania, Italy, The Netherlands remained on track with a second win earned in three sets against Kenya 3-0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-10).  Later in the day, pool hosts Italy kept their hopes of qualification alive with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-16) victory against Belgium.

In Wroclaw, Poland, Puerto Rico suffered its second defeat in as many outings in Pool A falling down to Serbia in straight sets (25-14, 25-20, 25-16). Tijana Boskovic led Serbia with 18 points while Stephanie Enright had 7 for Puerto Rico. In the other match, Poland edged Thailand 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 26-28, 25-23, 15-11).

In Pool E in Kaliningrad, Russia, Mexico lost its second match and was left out of contention. The Mexicans lost to Korea 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 26-24) as Andrea Rangel and Lisbeth Sainz each had 12 points in the losing effort. Hosts defeated Canada 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-22). Russia and Korea meet on Sunday in Kaliningrad to decide the pool winners.