USA bucked a slow start, weathering Thailand’s gallant stand, 17-25, 25-13, 25-23, 25-18, to take its seventh win of the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, Sunday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
This is the reigning three-time VNL champions’ fourth straight win in the pool after suffering their lone loss so far against Japan. They go up to a 7-1 win-loss record in the league.
The USA also extended their mastery of Thailand with a 14-1 head-to-head record. The Southeast Asian side’s only victory against the USA came in a five-set thriller in the 2009 World Grand Prix preliminary round on home soil in Bangkok.
The world no. 1 squad took charge in the fourth frame, taking advantage of an 18-14 lead late in the set to bag the win over Thailand.
Alexandra Frantti continued to be a solid producer for the USA, finishing with 27 points off 24 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Fellow outside hitter Robinson Kelsey added 10 markers off nine attacks and an ace. Middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu also finished with 10 points on eight blocks, one block, and one ace.
Thailand started well, covering the floor well against the vaunted USA offense. Then with counter-attacking options abound, the Asians cruised into the opening set win, 25-17. Captain and setter Guedpard Pornpun turned to her pin hitters as Ajcharapon Kongkyot and Chatchu-on Moksri chipped in five points each.
For Frantti, the adjustment was more on their composure on the court. She added, “I think at the first set, we had some nerves and had some jitters. And then we were able to settle in to calm and get over the nerves. I think our team did a good job in settling, it helped a lot.”
And when they did, it was all USA from there.
It was the American’s turn to tighten up their coverage in the second set and in return looked for gaps in the opposing defense to take a 12-7 advantage heading into the technical timeout. Thailand tried to keep it close, but with the USA closing their blocks better and with a comfortable margin, the second set went the way of the latter, 25-13.
The reigning Olympic champions, though, had some problems with their passing at the start of the third and went down 10-12 at the break. A tight battle ensued before the Americans broke a 20-all deadlock and won 25-22 to take the set advantage.
The United States will try to keep the winning streak going as they take on Belgium (3-5) on June 29 at 8:00 PM in Calgary, Canada.
Kongkyot topped the scoring for Thailand with 25 points on 2 attacks and a block, while Moksri chipped in 13 markers off 10 spikes, a block, and two service aces.
The reigning SEA Games titleholder slipped to the .500 mark at 4-4 but is still inside the top eight that can qualify for the final round.
Thailand, on the other hand, will face winless South Korea (0-7) also on June 29 at 5:00 PM in Sofia, Bulgaria.
—
All VNL Manila games stream live on GigaPlay. Download it now on Android or IOS.
