USA moved a step closer to retaining their title achieved at home in Omaha last year when the world No.1 pulled off a 3-0 (25-20 25-23 25-14) victory over Russia to go up against Brazil in the final showdown of the 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix at the Indoor Stadium Huamark on Saturday.

In their 24 matches contested at the World Grand Prix, USA and Russia shared 12 wins and 12 loss. The sensational win in this match has improved the USA’s win-loss record to 13-12. Kimberly Hill scored a match-high 17 points including 11 kills and five blocks for USA. Jordan Larson added 12 points on attacks, while Adams Rachael assisted with four points on blocks. Nataliya Goncharova led Russia with 14 points.

USA opened up strongly in the opener, with Kimberly Hill and Jordan Larson unleashing powerful attacks. Russia hit back, mixing the Nataliya Goncharova’s aggressive spikes with scintillating blocking by Irina Fetisova and Goncharova. However, it was USA which continued their fine form to clinch the first set 25-20.

USA still had several star spikers In the ranks in the second set, with Karsta Lowe, Hill and Larson puncturing the Russian defence with their great attacks. Russia upped their tempo, but USA played more consistently to take the narrow 24-23 lead before Alisha Glass dropped effectively to help USA win the thrilling set 25-23.

The third set became a one-sided battle as USA led from the beginning to the end and won the comfortable set 25-14, match and a berth to challenge Brazil in the final showdown.