The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Macao 2017, organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and the Volleyball Association of Macao, China and presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group, started today (14 July) at the Macao Forum.  USA got off to a winning start with a three sets to one win (25-21, 24-26, 25-19, 25-12) over Turkey, while Italy’s campaign got off to a flying start in front of with a straight set victory against hosts China (25-19, 25-22, 25-21).

In the first match today, USA’s Michelle Bartsch-Hackley played exceptionally well pocketing a total of 17 points, carrying her team to victory over a promising Turkey team.  Turkey started off with a 2-0 lead as the Americans spiked out of bounds. The Americans quickly recovered with Madison Kingdon’s monstrous spikes. The teams had a close game to start with and they played in exciting rallies. USA reached their first technical timeout at (8-7). The Turkish recovered quickly after their timeout with Baladin rising from the backrow. Coach Karch Kiraly subbed in Micha Hancock and Elizabeth McMahon for Kelly Murphy and Carli Lloyd. The Americans dominate play and reached their second technical timeout with Turkey following closely behind (16-14). Turkey called their first timeout at (19-16) as Bartsch-Hackley continued to triumph with her kills. USA’s libero Justine Wong-Ornates made quite a few saves and assisted the Americans to capture their first set (25-21).

Turkey’s Coach Giovanni Guidetti had his players “pepper” during the game as he was unsatisfied with the referee’s delayed judgment. The Turkish dominated the first few points of the second set, the Americans requested a timeout (2-6). The Turkish won their first technical timeout at (3-8) with middle blocker, Beyza Arici destroying American defense. USA sought for a comeback and made sure they picked up the point with an empty net. Hancock was substituted in for Lloyd. Bartsch-Hackley regrouped her team with a powerful spike, leading to the Turkish’s first timeout of the set. However, the Turkish still made their way to the second technical time out with a successful in-out challenge (14-16). The Americans retrieved their lead with Hancock’s impressive jump-serve and the Turkish requested their second timeout (18-17). Turkey’s block took control, denying the American’s side of a much-needed attack. Turkey entered their first match point against the USA (24-22). The Americans fought back with Hancock’s serving ace (24-24). The Turkish substituted Ezgi Dilik for her float serve and managed to block the USA’s fragile attack. The Turkish secured their first winning set (24-26).

The third set was, again, a close battle between the teams. Fatma Yildirim scored two of Turkey’s first four points. The teams continued to trade points, but Turkey took a one point lead to the first technical timeout (7-8). A breathtaking rally was played by the teams with Bartsch-Hackley ending the point with a block (11-9). The USA continued to take the lead while committing a serving error and a double hit. USA advanced their lead with Turkey’s help of two consecutive serving errors. Turkey tried to gain points with two consecutive challenges, a net-touch challenge and a service line fault, but they were unsuccessful. USA’s Hancock “did her thing” with the serve and took the final point of the third set (25-19).

USA started strong in the fourth set, they became more consistent with blocking and defense and took the lead to the first technical timeout (8-4). The Turkish focused on tipping instead of spiking the ball which placed them at a disadvantage. Coach Kiraly made his first challenge for a block touch but it was unsuccessful. Murphy and Tetori Dixon disintegrated Turkish blocks and extended USA’s lead to (12-6). Turkey seemed to have lost their energy in the fourth set which provided the momentum necessary for the Americans to lead a 10-point difference (17-7). Dixon scored a point for USA with a block touch leading USA to their match point. The Americans ended the game with a total of ten serving aces.

In the second match of the day, despite rapturous support from the home crowd China suffered a surprising loss to Italy, the same opponent that they defeated in Kunshan last week.

China started out the first set with a solid lead, with many of its starting six each having an equal share of points (12-8). The Italians sought the opportunity for a comeback with a successful block-touch challenge (12-10). China’s Gong Xiangyu managed to score three points and an ace during the first half of the match. Paola Ogechi Egonu scored an ace for the Italians, forcing the Chinese to call their first timeout (14-13). Egonu showcased her ability as an aggressive outside spiker with an amazing spike down the line (18-18). Two consecutive blocks by the Italians along with a few errors by the Chinese, the Italians managed to turn tables (19-22). The Italians claimed the first set of the game (19-25).

Italy sped into the lead from the start of the second set, with Miryam Fatime Sylla and Egonu scoring for their squad (2-5). The Italians were fast on defense, and played an incredible rally (4-6). The Chinese subbed in Zhu Ting for Wang Yunlu and the Chinese closed the point gap after a successful in-out challenge (10-12). The Italians called for their first timeout after Yuan Xinyue executed a single block (13-14). The Italians called for their second timeout (18-18) and had a speedy recovery, the Chinese called for their first timeout (18-20). Sylla scored one of the more determinant points and captured the second set for the Italians (22-25).

It was Italy who took the early lead of the third set (6-9). However, with Zhu Ting at the front row, the Chinese kept up their strong play with occasional attacks (8-10). Egonu limited the Chinese’s ability to defense and the Italians successfully won the game in three sets (21-25).

Italy takes on USA tomorrow at 1430 while China plays Turkey at 1700 with both teams searching for the first win in this year’s Macao leg.