25-Nov, start time: 15:03, end time: 16:24 - Attendance: 3,400

USA	3	28	25	25	-	-	78
VEN	0	26	16	23	-	-	65

Match Description:

America Too Strong for Venezuela
The USA remain on course for next year's Olympic games after they survived two tight sets on the way to defeating Venezuela 3-0 in their World Cup match at Site A in Fukuoka. The Americans won 28-26, 25-16, 25-23 and will travel to the final round in Tokyo with a 7-1 playing record and a good chance of securing a qualifying spot in Athens.

The result could move America into third place on the rankings ahead of Italy, who they face in a crucial opening encounter in Tokyo. America have yet to face ranking leaders Brazil, while Italy still have to play Serbia and Montenegro, so their clash in three days time could decide the third Olympic spot.

Any suggestions Venezuela would be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents were soon dismissed as they took a 10-6 lead with Carlos Luna showing some impressive early spiking.

The USA were struggling to serve with their usual authority yet still managed to fight back with some powerful hitting from Clayton Stanley and some good work at the net from Thomas Hoff and Ryan Millar to lead 24-22. Venezuela saved four set points, two from the spiking of Ivan Marquez, but were unable to save the set and went behind on a service error.

America's service improved at the start of the second and immediately put pressure on Venezuela's receivers as they raced to a commanding lead. USA captain Lloy Ball was finding his hitters with greater ease and Hoff was still winning points at the net. A 7-1 lead soon became 20-9 as the Americans completely dominated the set on the way to extending their lead.

A poor start by America to the third allowed Venezuela to gain confidence and take an early lead. America fought back but Venezuela captain Ernardo Gomez rose to the challenge to keep his team in sight. But two spikes and a block from Brook Billings gave the USA an edge before they sealed the win with a Millar spike.

Comments:

BEAL Douglas (USA Head Coach)
" Today it wasn't our best performance, but we have played against very strong teams in Fukuoka. Overall we were able to display our best performance here. Ernardo Gomez was a very good attacker who gave us trouble to block. His serves were also good. The first and third sets were very close. Changing several players in each set led us to a good result."

BALL Lloy (USA Captain)
" I think it was good to be able to earn three wins without losing any sets in Fukuoka. We were able to maintain good match-rhythm, and our defense and offense also worked well. What is important in the World Cup is to accumulate wins match by match, steadily."

CAMBERO Miguel (VEN Head Coach)
" We couldn't concentrate on the match at all. It was a very tough game. All we have to do is to play well in the remaining matches in Tokyo."

GOMEZ Ernardo (VEN Captain)
" We didn't play badly, but our opponents outperformed us in every respect."

Official Result:

Match statistics (P-2) - PDF