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Uploaded: Sunday, June 17, 2012, 11:48 PM
USA women remain unbeaten in World Grand Prix
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Photo
 | Stanford grad Logan Tom recorded eight kills and a block to help lead the United States women's national volleyball team down host Brazil, 20-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-23, on the final day of the second round of preliminary play in the FIVB World Grand Prix on Sunday in Sao Bernardo, Brazil.
The Americans, ranked No. 1 in the world, remained undefeated at 6-0 while world No. 2 Brazil fell to 5-1. The U.S. and China share the Grand Prix lead, each with 18 points though the Americans lead in point ratio (1.327 to 1.292).
The two-time defending champion, the U.S. concludes World Grand Prix preliminary play with three matches next weekend. The Americans play Serbia on Friday, Argentina on Saturday and host Thailand next Sunday. The top five teams, along with host China, advance to the Final Round, which begins June 27 in Ningbo.
Jordan Larson led Team USA with 20 points, including 16 kills. Destinee Hooker added 19 points, 16 on kills and Stanford grad Foluke Akinradewo added three kills and a block.
"It was a really tough match," Team USA coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "We played in an amazing atmosphere and Brazil was great in defense, which is what made the match really difficult for us. I am glad as my team played focused and followed the game plan even in this unique atmosphere."
Nicole Davis and Tom each recorded 25 digs, while team captain and setter Lindsay Berg had 16 digs and 20 running sets.
"It was very important for our team to play a match here in Brazil, with the fans strongly supporting Brazil," Berg said. "We are not used to playing with such an amazing crowd. Our game was really steady, including our energy and our level."
Men's volleyball
The U.S. national team completed its FIVB World League weekend in Lyon with a 20-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-21 victory over host France on Sunday.
Halfway through World League pool play, the U.S. lead Pool C with a record of 4-2 and 11 points. France is also 4-2 with 11 points, but the U.S. has a better set ratio.
"For us to win our three games is very positive," U.S. opposite and team captain Clay Stanley said. "We put together a good game plan. We are happy about the way we played. We were consistent throughout these three matches so that's the best thing that we could ask for."
The Americans are in Gwangju, Korea for three matches beginning Friday against Italy.
Beach volleyball
Stanford grad Matt Fuerbringer and teammate Nick Lucena lost their bronze medal match Sunday to Switzerland's No. 25 Sasha Heyer and Sebastian Chevalier, 23-21, 21-13 in 41 minutes at the smart Grand Slam Rome in Italy.
The U.S. team of Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal won the event, beating Brazil's top-seeded Emanuel Rego and Alison Cerutti, 21-13, 21-12, in 36 minutes.
Gibb and Rosenthal secured a berth in the 2012 London Olympics along the way. The pair were fifth in 2008.
The sixth-seeded U.S. women's team of Misty May-Treanor and Stanford grad Kerri Walsh, which had already clinched a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, fell in the third round to a team from Italy, 21-18, 21-15 in 41 minutes and finished tied for fifth.
— Palo Alto Online Sports/USA volleyball Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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