Americans assert might, pummel Dominicans in Volleyball Nations League opener

USA spiker Jordan Thompson erupted for a match-best 15 points, including 13 off kills.

PSC photo

Games Thursday

(PhilSports Arena)

4 p.m. – Czechia vs USA

8 p.m. – Serbia vs Italy

MANILA, Philippines — The last time the United States flew and played in the country during one stretch of the Volleyball Nations League four years ago, it swept all their four matches.

The Americans have no plans on conceding a single match either on their much-anticipated Philippine return.

The three-time VNL champions lived up to billing and played like the predators that they should be and preyed on the helpless Dominican Republic side in an emphatic, 25-20, 25-19, 25-12, victory Wednesday at the start of Week 2 of this year’s VNL edition at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

“We knew the Dominican Republic was strong and we’re familiar with a lot of their players so practicing, training and trying to gel together as a group was our priority since it was a new roster this week,” said USA spiker Jordan Thompson, who erupted for a match-best 15 points, including 13 off kills.

“It wasn’t pretty but we really had to grit through it,” she added.

The result sent the former Olympic and World Championship gold medalist to third with 11 points on four wins in five outings, behind only leader Brazil and No. 2 Japan in this event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

The Dominicans, in contrast, remained at the bottom with just a point to show.

Thompson was also happy to finally get to play in the country after missing to make the team that wowed the crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in 2022.

“I was supposed to come here a few years ago but I got Covid so I couldn’t travel,” she said. “I was really excited to come here. You guys are so incredibly kind and joyful so I really appreciate it.”

Middle blocker Dana Rettke likewise came through with 10 points, including five off blocks, while outside hitter Logan Eggleston chipped in 10 hits, all from spikes.

USA plays again Thursday versus Czechia, World No. 1 Italy Saturday, and Serbia Sunday with hopes of sweeping it all like they did in 2022.