Italy defeated USA 3-1 and won the Polish leg 

BYDGOSZCZ, Poland, August 18, 2006.- Italy defeated USA 3-1 (25-21, 27-25, 18-25, 25-17) and finished with an unbeaten record in three outings in Pool C during the first weekend of play at the 2006 FIVB World Grand Prix.

The match, that lasted 1 hour and 52 minutes, was very intense, especially in the second set when the Italians showed enough mental strength to prevail. USA finished with a 1-2 record.

Antonella Del Core and Nadia Centoni carried most of the load of the Italian offense recording 24 and 22 points respectively, and Valentina Fiorin added 11 points. Tayyiba Haneef led the Americans with 19 and Nancy Metcalf and Heather Bown contributed 15 and 10 points respectively.

“I am very happy with three victories here because most of the teams are in preparation for the World Championship,” said Marco Bonitta, the Italian coach. “Especially the way we played in the second set.”