Three-time champion United States overcame a feisty Thailand side, 17-25, 25-13, 25-23, 25-18, Sunday to finish Week 2 of the Volleyball Nations League Women’s Leg unbeaten at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The American bucked their erratic service game and turned to their hard-hitting offense to turn back the resilient Thais and extend their winning run to four games.
It was the United States’ seventh win against a single loss to improve to 21 points.
Alexandra Frantti waxed hot at the attack line and erupted for 24 kills to finish with 27 points while Olympian Kelsey Robinson added 11 points including 10 hits.
The Thais gave the Americans a hard time in the opening set with their aggressive and quick offense anchored on Kongyot Ajcharaporn and Moksri Chatchu-on while falling into a maze of errors.
But the experienced United States crew quickly got back to work in the next three frames, outplaying the Thai’s stifling defense with down-the-line spikes.
Chiaka Ogbogu also stepped up for the Americans with 10 points even as Anna Stevenson posted seven kills and three blocks also for 10 points.
Ajcharaporn walloped 24 attacks for 25 points, while Chatchu-On chipped in 13 points for the Thais, but the Americans were just too much to handle.
Overall, the United States outhustled Thailand at the attack line, 61-47, despite giving up 27 points on errors.
The Thais, however, showed their grit in floor defense with 97 digs but still fell to their fourth defeat in eight outings.