WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Team USA dominates Japan in Long Beach

The beach legend did so nicely Friday, substituting liberally in the last two sets during a four-set win over Japan in the USA Volleyball Cup at the Pyramid, 25-17, 26-24, 18-25 and 25-20.

Danielle Scott-Arruda, the ageless Long Beach State All-American who was playing her first official match in the Pyramid, played in the final two sets and had two kills and two blocks, with some scoring plays in the last minutes of set four.

Kristin Hildebrand and Lauren Paoliniu each had 10 kills and Alisa Glass three blocks. Mizuho Ishida had 18 kills and Miyu Nagaoka 13 for Japan.

"We have a lot of talent and it's a great year to get valuable playing time to a lot of people," Kiraly said.

"Dani did a nice job. Her teammates look at her with a high level of respect. She came in ready, and is a great role model. She sets a good example."

The U.S. team used a 5-0 run behind the serves of Hildebrand to grab a 13-9 lead in the first set. Japan got as close as three points four times, but the U.S. closed on a 9-4 run for a 25-17 win, getting key scoring plays from Lauren Gibbemeyer on the block, a pair of kills by opposite hitter Kelly Murphy and a tip over a double block by Nicole Fawcett for the game-winner.

Set two was dramatically different, with an emphasis on the drama. Japan

broke out to an 8-3 advantage early and held that margin consistently, eventually taking a 23-17 lead on a Nagaoka ace.

But the U.S. put up united front after a timeout and, behind some hellacious services by Fawcett, went on a 6-0 run to draw even -- a Fawcett kill and ace, two blocks by Glass, a tap over the Japan block and then a Hildebrand kill for the tie.

Saori Kimura scored on a cross kill to give Japan set point, but Hildebrand tied it on a runner kill, Jordan Larson-Burback dropped a floater over two blockers to give the U.S. set point, and Nagaoka hit Hildebrand's serve wide for a 26-24 U.S. set win and 2-0 lead.

"It wasn't all pretty," Kiraly said. "But a good team figures out a way to slog through tough stretch. Nicole really got it going and let it rip."

The U.S. fell behind to start the third set, 11-6, and three consecutive errors, a set muff and two wide shots by Nicole Davis and Fawcett extended the lead to 14-7 and led to a U.S. timeout.

Japan, behind brilliant all around play from Ishida, extended the lead to eight before the U.S. put together some short rallies--a kill by left-hander Paolini, two blocks by Scott-Arruda, a Kelly Murphy kill and Fawcett kill that got the Americans within five at 23-18.

But a net serve and Ishida kill off the lock gave Japan the set at 25-18.

Set four was close from the start, until a U.S. run featuring a Murphy kill and a kill and block by Scott gave the U.S. breathing room at 15-11. Japan closed to one several times but a Murphy and Paolini kill and Japan muff made it 24-19,m and a Kim Hill kill closed the night at 25-20.

"I was so happy to see the Pyramid packed and the 49er fans come out," Scott-Arruda said. Her last year at Long Beach was 1993, a yeasr before the Pyramid opened, and her only other appearance at thefacility was an alumni game in 2000.

"This team has great potential, we have great depth at all the positions.

To have so many great players in the gym at the same time creates so much competition and raises the intensity."

The USA Volleyball Cup series with Japan concludes tonight (7 p.m.) with the third match at JSerra High School in Capistrano Valley.

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Source: http://www.sgvtribune.com/sports/ci_23653839/womens-volleyball-team-usa-dominates-japan-long-beach?source=rss

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