Cuba overcomes Italy, US defeats Dutch

Erica Bulman, Associated Press, Riesa, Germany

In a dramatic, high-level contest, reigning champion Cuba edged Italy 3-1 on Saturday to qualify for the quarterfinals of the women's Volleyball World Championships.

In other matches, the United States struggled to overcome a surprisingly gritty Dutch team in five sets and remain the only undefeated team at the competition.

And five-time titlist Russia overcame troublesome rookie Greece in straight sets, while Bulgaria recovered from a first- set loss to defeat South Korea 3-1, handing the Asians their first loss of the tournament.

In Group E action in Bremen, Germany, three-time Olympic and world champion Cuba needed an hour and 51 minutes to beat Italy 32-30, 17-25, 25-22, 26-24.

Italy looked solid early in the first, jumping to a 17-13 lead, before Cuba rallied to go ahead 24-21 after team veteran Regla Torres was sent onto the court.

Undaunted, the Italians caught up, triggering a tug-of-war. The Azzuri ended up yielding the set after defending four set balls and accumulating five of their own.

Italy had a poor start to the second, trailing 1-4, but soon made up lost ground to eventually lead 13-9, then hold on to take the set.

On a roll, the Italians took the lead early in the third but were soon overtaken 11-8 by the Cubans. They rallied to even the score 14-14, but were unable to take the set.

Italy snatched the lead again in the fourth, going 16-11. The Cubans slowly closed the gap to edge ahead 19-18 on way to clinching the set and match.

In Group G action in Riesa, the Americans were lucky to edge past the emerging Dutch side, needing 1 hour, 53 minutes to win 25-15, 18-25, 25-17, 21-25, 15-13.

"We struggled today," acknowledged US team captain Tara Cross- Battle. "We knew the Netherlands had a lot of weapons. We had a hard time with them."

Fast attacks from middle blockers Danielle Scott and Heather Bown lifted the Americans to an 11-6 lead then out of reach at 18-9, thanks to the precise jump serves of Tayyiba Haneef.

The Dutch began the next set better, going ahead 16-12 at the second technical time-out before extending their lead to 20-13 and holding on to even the sets.

The Americans put pressure on the Dutch receivers early in the third with powerful serves, taking a 13-6 lead and putting the set out of reach.

Despite another strong start in the fourth, the Americans let the Dutch sail ahead to take the set, thanks to an outstanding performance by Alice Blom.

For a while it seemed the Dutch would win the tiebreaking fifth, taking a 6-4 lead then surging ahead 12-9.

But the Netherlands suddenly floundered, allowing the Americans back into the chase. The US squad charged to a 14-12 lead. Irina Donets killed the first US match point, but the Americans converted the second when Blom served out.

In other group E play, feisty newcomers Greece demonstrated the fighting spirit that led them to the second round, but were not quite up for Russia who won 25-21, 28-26, 25-17.

In Group F in Stuttgart, Bulgaria defeated South Korea 19-25, 28-26, 25-14, 25-16 on the strength of a stellar performance by Antonina Zetova, who scored 27 points.

Defensively strong, the Koreans took the lead early to go 12-9 then 19-13.

In Group G play in Riesa, Brazil badly damaged Germany's hopes of advancing, defeating the hosts 3-0, with title favorites China doing the same to underdog Puerto Rico in Group F in Stuttgart.