USA volleyball takes World Grand Prix opener against Germany

LONG BEACH >> The top-ranked USA women’s volleyball team is in Southe Califoia for the weekend as the Americans play host to the FIVB World Grand Prix, with Pool E matches against Japan today and Turkey on Sunday. Friday evening, the USA faced No. 11 Germany to start World Grand Prix action. The No. 1 Americans made a statement to start off what they hope will be an historic summer, topping the Germans 25-17, 24-26, 25-10, 25-23.

Long Beach State’s Walter Pyramid is playing host to all four teams this weekend, as part of the second week of the World Grand Prix.

The Americans opened strong on Friday, taking control of the first set early and cruising to a 25-17 win that saw them hit over .500 while holding Germany to under .100. Karsta Lowe led the way with five kills on six swings. In the second set, the USA looked to move into a 2-0 position and led 22-19, but after going up 24-23, yielded three straight points to allow Germany to tie the match. Jana Franziska Poll led the way for Germany with seven kills.

The USA roared back in the third set behind huge swings from Lowe and Kimberly Hill, who powered a dominant American attack.

The fourth set was a see-saw battle with the USA leading the way late in the frame but barely holding off Germany, as the Germans pulled within a point four times and held off match point three times before the USA finally ended the set and the match on a big swing from Lowe.

Lowe led the way with 18 kills while Hill finished with 15. Poll had 12 kills to lead Germany.

Tonight will see an even stiffer challenge for the USA when it hosts No. 5 Japan at 7:10 p.m.

There will be plenty of opportunity for the fans to enjoy the atmosphere before tonight’s match against Japan by taking part in the VOL-B-QUE event outside the Pyramid. Hailed as the largest tailgate party in the country, fans are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue for an afteoon of music and games, including volleyball on the lawn. Tickets are available for $10 for walk-up fans.

The USA won’t have much time to recover from the matches in the Pyramid. Monday, the Americans are off to Hong Kong for the next round of play. The championships for the World Grand Prix will be in Thailand this year, just a month before the Olympics begin in Rio.

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