USA extend perfect record to 6-0

OSAKA, Japan, October 7, 2018 - The United States picked up from where they left off in Kobe by winning their opening Pool F game in Osaka on Sunday, defeating Bulgaria 3-0.

The reigning world champions came to Osaka from Kobe with a 5-0 win-loss record and extended that 100 per cent run to 6-0 with a fluid 25-16, 25-17, 25-11 victory in 72 minutes over the eastern Europeans, who dropped to 2-4.

Kimberly Hill led the USA attack with 13 points, lefty Karsta Lowe added 12 and Captain Jordan Larson kept her team flowing with nine points.

Bulgaria's main scorers were middle blocker Nasya Dimitrova (11) and wing spiker Miroslava Paskova with nine.

In Nagoya, Sarina Koga scored a match-high 23 points as Japan held off the Dominican Republic 3-2 (25-17, 28-26, 22-25, 25-27, 15-11) in a five-set thriller. Ai Kurogo added 20 and Mai Okumura had 11 for the winners.

Bethania De La Cruz was the top scorer in the loss for the Dominicans with 21 points. Brayelin Martinez and Yonkaira Peña added 19 and 17, respectively, and Jineiry Martínez finished with 15.

Japan entered the match with a 4-1 record, while the Dominican Republic was 3-2.

Japan looked headed for a 3-0 victory before the momentum switched late in the second set. The Dominican block and attack troubled Japan in the middle sets. Japan finally regained their footing in the final set with good serves and blocks.

Also in Nagoya, Tijana Boskovic scored 11 points as Serbia opened play in the second round with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-15) victory over Mexico.

Brankica Mihajlovic and Stefana Veljkovic notched 10 points each in the win for Serbia. Andrea Rangel paced Mexico with 14 points in the loss.

Lonneke Sloetjes scored 12 points as the Netherlands remained unbeaten with a 3-0 victory (25-16, 25-15, 25-20) over Puerto Rico. The Netherlands entered the match with a 5-0 record, while Puerto Rico was 2-3.

Yvon Belien and Anne Buijs added 11 points each in the triumph. Daly Santana was the high scorer for Puerto Rico with 11 points.

The Dutch played solidly in the comprehensive win, serving, blocking and attack well. Puerto Rico struggled with reception at times and was unable to contend with the power of their opponents.