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11/22/2024 08:51:07 am

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Netherlands, Czech Republic on Top at World Volleyball Grand Prix


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The Netherlands and Czech Republic have swept through their pools to claim top spot in the ongoing 2014 Federation of International Volleyball Bureau (FIVB) World Grand Prix.

It was another solid game for the Netherlands sweeping Argentina 3-0 in their match Sunday in Pool K of Division 2 at the Coliseo Guillermo Angulo in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Led by Judith Peterson, Robin De Krujif and Karine Muijlwijk who combined for 21 attacks, the Dutch survived a third-set scare from the Argentinians who rallied with help from Julieta Constanza Lazcano and Lucia Fresco.

Peterson and Yvon Belien blocked two crucial attacks from Argentina the match 25-19, 25-19, 26-24.

On the other hand, Czech Republic topped their division by defeating host Kazakhstan in four sets at the Balauan Sports and Culture Palace at Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Four players from the Czech Republic scored double figures with Tereza Vanzurova leading the pack. She proved to be unstoppable with her attacks, lifting the team to a 25-16, 26-24, 25-27, 25-16 victory over Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan's Sana Anarkulova took over in the third set to bounce back from two lost sets. But the Czech Republic's Vanzurova and Veronika Trnkova gave them a clear win on the fourth set.

Vanzurova is top-scorer for the Czech Republic with 21 points, 17 of those coming from attacks and four points with blocks.

Netherlands are now on top of Division 2 along with Poland with nine points while Czech Republic dominated Division 3 with nine points while Bulgaria sits second with seven points coming into the second week of the World Grand Prix.

The second week of play will start on Aug. 1 with the top 12 seeds of Division 1 starting their pool matches which highlights the game between defending champions Brazil going up against last year's silver medalist China at Sassari, Italy.

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