USA eliminated in Finals of Grand Prix

NANJIG, China, August 3, 2017 – United States were eliminated from contention at the finals of the FIVB World Grand Prix after losing their two pool matches to Serbia and Italy, respectively.

The United States first lost to Serbia 3-2 (25-22, 25-17, 13-25, 18-25, 15-11) on Wednesday.

Brankica Mihajlovic, the leading scorer of the preliminary round with 153 points, tallied 25 markers to lead Serbia while Tijana Boskovic contributed 22 points in the victory. Michelle Bratsch and Lauren Gibbemeyer each had 17 in the loss.

The Europeans edged the North Americans in attacks 60-49 ad in blocks 16-12.

Then Paola Egonu scored 32 points to lead Italy to a 3-1 (25-21, 22-25,, 25-22, 25-21) victory.

Egonu scored with 24 attacks, six blocks and two aces. Caterina Bosetti had 10 points in the victory.

Andrea Drews was the top scorer for United States with 16 and Gibbemeyer added 13 points.