US spikers cruise past Italy in FIVB

omaha — Lauren Gibbemeyer and Christa Dietzen combined for 23 kills to lead the United States to a four-set victory over Italy on Thursday at the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals.

The United States won 25-17, 25-14, 15-25, 25-18 before an announced crowd of 6,500 at CenturyLink Center.

The Americans cruised through the first two sets before Italy’s defense clamped down with a stronger blocking performance in the third set to neutralise the United States attack. Miriam Fatime Sylla and Lucia Bosetti led the Italians with three blocks apiece.

Lauren Gibbemeyer and Christa Dietzen combined for 23 kills while Kelsey Robinson and Karsta Lowe knocked home eight apiece to lead the American attack.

“They were playing great defense and hitting a lot of deep balls off the top of our blocks,” Dietzen said. “We made some great adjustments in the fourth set and we executed pretty well.”

The Americans cruised through the first two sets before Italy’s defense clamped down in the third set. Miriam Fatime Sylla and Lucia Bosetti led the Italians with three blocks apiece.

Neither team could build an advantage early in the third set as the teams traded points until a spike by Robinson got the American’s to the first timeout with an 8-7 lead. The Italians flipped that to a 1210 over the next seven points.

Neutralising the US offense with key blocks, the Italians outscored the Americans 13-5 to impressively hand the Americans their first set loss of the finals. —