Defending champion Italy scored a convincing 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 victory over Czechia in the Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 2 on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Sarah Fahr, making her first VNL appearance this season, scored six points for the Italians, who bounced back from a five-set loss to Brazil more than a week ago in Brasilia and improved their win-loss record to 4-1.
Meanwhile, Jordan Thompson scored 15 points as Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic, 25-20, 25-19, 25-12, in the other match.
Thompson, a holdover from the USA’s Week 1 roster, delivered 13 attack points and two aces. Logan Eggleston and Dana Rettke added 10 points each as the Americans secured their fourth win in five matches.
Both teams recorded two aces each, although the Dominican Republic held the statistical advantage in reception, 69-46, and in sets, 104-94.
Thompson was pleased with how her teammates adjusted quickly.
“Practicing, training and just trying to gel together as a group, since it was a new roster,” she said.
“It wasn’t always pretty, but I think what we do really well is finding ways to grit through it, even when it’s not exactly how we want it,” she added.
Skipper and setter Jordyn Poulter also turned in a solid performance for the Americans, who produced 43 attack points.
Veteran outside hitter Yokaira Paola Peña Ysabel finished with eight points, including seven attack points, for the Dominican Republic, which suffered its fifth straight loss.
Young opposite hitter Alondra Denis Tapia Cruz added five points, all coming from attacks.
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