Brazil and USA head women’s quarterfinals after undefeated pool play finish

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 – Brazil and USA are on a collision course to repeat the London 2012 after the results of the last round of women’s volleyball pool play and a drawing of lots for the quarterfinals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The defending Olympic champions Brazil and London 2012 silver medallists USA topped their respective pools and cannot meet before Saturday’s final -assuming that in the meantime they advance through Tuesday’s quarterfinals and Thursday’s semifinals.Brazil finished top of Pool A with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-21) sweep of Russia to complete pool play on an absolutely perfect record of five straight-set wins.In other Pool A matches Sunday, Japan claimed the last remaining ticket to the quarterfinals with a hard-earned 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 26-24) over Olympic debutantes Argentina and Korea beat winless Cameroon also 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-20).In Pool B reigning world champions USA confirmed first place, finishing undefeated after a 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19) win over China. The Netherlands beat Serbia 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 18-25, 15-8) with both avoiding the fourth place that would have them face the hosts in the quarterfinals.Italy scored their first victory at Rio 2016, shutting out Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-22) in the very last match of captain Antonella Del Core and coach Marco Bonitta. Both teams had already been out of contention for a quarterfinal berth and have bowed out …

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