Posted at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Volleyball: US beats Kenya in women's World Cup
Associated Press
SENDAI, Japan -- Tayyiba Haneef-Park and Jennifer Joines scored 10 points each today as the United States coasted to a straight-sets win over Kenya at the volleyball Women's World Cup.
The Americans jumped out to an early 8-1 lead in the first set and never looked back en route to a one-sided 25-9, 25-20, 25-10 win over winless Kenya.
"In the first and third sets we played very well," said Heneef-Park. "We were aggressive and had a lot of energy, and we were able to serve and pass well. During the second set, we struggled as Kenya got a lot of blocks in and we weren't ready for them."
The U.S. team, which finished the first round with a 3-0 record, will have a much bigger challenge when it faces Brazil tomorrow.
"I think Brazil is a team with no weaknesses," said U.S. coach Lang Ping. "All the skills are there and they play very well. So, we have to play perfectly as well to have a chance."
Brazil, which is also undefeated, got 13 points from Jaqueline Carvalho on its way to a 25-17, 25-15, 25-17 win over Peru.
The Nov. 2-17 tournament features 12 teams bidding for three berths at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The men's tournament will also be held in Japan from Nov. 18-Dec. 2.
In other second-round matches, Cuba posted its second win of the tournament with a hard-fought 21-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13 victory over Poland.
Italy maintained its undefeated record at 4-0 with a 23-25, 25-14, 16-25, 25-17, 15-7 win over Serbia. The European champions next face host Japan, which beat Thailand 25-19, 27-25, 25-14.
