USA to semifinals, after five setter win over Brazil

Mexicali, Mexico, October 9 2013- The United States qualified to the Semifinals at FIVB Women’s U23 World Championship after a five-setter win over Brazil (25-10, 16-25, 10-25, 25-22, 15-9).

Ariel Turner scored 18 points for USA while captain Gina Mancuso finished with 15, Hayley Hodson and Sha’Dare McNeal closed with 13 apiece. Brazil exploted all their weapons and offensive choices with Ellen Braga and Gabriella Souza, who concluded with 17 apiece. Mara Leao scored 15 and Francynne Jacintho 13. Glauciele Silva registered 12.

Block and service were good weapons for Brazil after the Americans took an advantage in the end of first set. Brazil had 14 kills against 9 by USA. Leao registered 5 kills and Jacintho 4.

Brazil served with 9 aces, 4 by Braga and 2 by Souza. The Americans had only 4 team aces, 2 by Ariel Turner. She and Hayley Hodson blocked 3 succesfull atempts apiece. USA qualified to the semifinals that will be played in Tijuana on Friday.

Brazil tried to recover in the fourth with a 21-24 deficit after a defensive fail by their rivals, however USA capitalized the set point for a 25-22 score.

The South Americans played hard with their blocking and service game with Braga, Leao, Jacintho and Silva. But USA forced a 3-3 tie by the beginning of the fifth and also had good spikes on the corners increasing the advantage to 8-3.

USA increased the advantage by 7 points after Brazilian defense showed some weakness in key plays.