News Volleyball 27/05/2014 USA overcome nerves to take match against Germany at Montreux Volley Masters Montreux, Switzerland, May 27, 2014 - The USA havewon their opening game over Germany 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21).Rachel Adams was the lead scorer for the US teamwhile Margareta Kozuch led the German side with 18 points. An exciting game awaited spectatorsat the 29th Montreux Volley Masters as Germany faced Olympic silver medallist, USA.As expected, the gamebetween the two teams remained tied, with both teams getting kills on accountof their good side-out games. Germany took advantage of their strong service. TheAmericans on the other hand couldn’t handle this pressure and fell behind, butnever with more than four points. But it wasn’t enough and the Germans didn’tgive away their early lead winning the first set 25-22.Nevertheless, the world’s number 2 didn’t losetheir nerve. On account of Lauren Paolini’s good serves and setter CourtneyThompson’s strong defence, the US were able to come back into the game. The Germans couldn’t takeadvantage of their attacking game as the US started to read their opponent’sgame better. Karch Kiraly’s players took the lead in the important stage of thegame and won the second set 25-20 as a consequence.The third set was marked bylong rallies, without either team taking a clear lead, although both gave theirbest and fought for every ball. The US, however, played a clever game at theend of the third set winning it 25-23 after taking advantage of a break in Germany‘sdefence.The Americans dominated thegame in the beginning of the fourth set, while the Germans started to struggleand couldn’t handle the pressure and fell behind 9-15. In order to get his playersto play a more concentrated game, GiovanniGuidetti changed the game plan of his team. As a consequence, the Germansfought their way back to tie the game at 18-18. While everyone believed theGermans could turn around their luck, Karch Kiraly’s players eventually found theirrhythm. The Olympic silver medallistsincreased their lead again to win the set 25-21.Kimberly Hill who scored 16 points was happy aboutthe important opening victory saying, “It was a hard game against the Germanstoday. We were a little bitnervous in the first set – however, that’s always like this when we play ourfirst game of the season together.” The 24 years oldwing-spiker even revealed the secret preparation method for the opening game.“We took a bath in the cold Lake Geneva to cool down yesterday. And as it seemsit worked.” Margareta Kozuch, on theother hand, was sad about the missed opportunity in the fourth set. “It wassuch a tied game,“ she said.“We had our opportunities, but couldn’t capitaliseon them. We fought our way back into the game as a team in the fourth set andcould even tie the score, but the Americans didn’t give up at this importantmoment.” And Kimberly Hill knows whyher team found their rhythm: “I think it’s our “American national teammentality”. Every time we fall behind, we look into each other’s eye andencourage us as team to get back.” Print this Page News {{item.LocalShortDate}} {{item.Title}} All the News