US polishes off unbeaten week with rout of Serbia

Jordan Thompson (No. 12) leads an American celebration on the floor. —MARLO CUETO

The United States rebounded from a second set hiccup to demolish Serbia, 25-22, 18-25, 25-16, 25-19, on Sunday as the mighty Americans completed a sweep of their Philippine schedule in the Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Philsports Arena.

This, before Elena Grozer and the Czechs relished their time in the country and ending a three-game skid later in the night to take a winning feeling to the next leg.

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On the brink of a winless Pasig campaign, Grozer delivered the clutch blow in the fourth to force a decider as the Czechs completed a come-from-behind 17-25, 24-26, 25-18, 31-29, 15-10 win over the Dominican Republic.

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“It’s beautiful to play here. I love to play in the Philippines because you guys are amazing fans,” Grozer said. “We have many Czech people here, so I feel very welcomed. And this is the best thing that can happen to one player.”

Cheered on by Filipino fans, Grozer, who finished with 13 points, is the wife of German national team player Gyorgy, who played in the Philippines in the VNL in 2024 and last year’s FIVB Men’s World Championship.

Czechia blew a 19-13 lead in the fourth, as the Dominican Republic unleashed a 10-1 run for a 23-20 lead. The latter’s errors and Grozer’s timely hits allowed the Czechs to force a decider to complete the reverse sweep.

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Monika Brancuska led the Czechs with 28 points, as they improved to a 4-4 record after losing three straight games. Magdalena Jehlarova and Michaela Mlejnkova had 14 points each.

“We started to push back very hard,” Grozer said. “And I think they also get tired because (it was) their third game. And I’m very proud of my team that from that bottom we get so much in a good game and that we bring home this last game.”

Dominican Republic couldn’t carry the momentum from its breakthrough win over erstwhile-unbeaten Japan.

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Flormarie Heredia led the Dominicans with 17 points. Geraldine Sthefany Gonzalez, Paola Peña Isabel, and Jineiry Martinez had 15 points each, while Alondra Denis Tapia added 14.

Meanwhile, Avery Skinner led the charge for the Americans with 18 points from 16 kills, one block, and an ace, while Logan Eggleston backstopped her with 17, as the US has now won six straight games for a 7-1 record on top of the 18-nation league before heading to Japan for the next leg.

“It’s been so fun to come into this gym and just have a really nice and fun environment,” Eggleston said. “We’ve enjoyed our time here. It’s been beautiful. The weather has been a little bit hot but we’re used to that.

“But yeah it’s just a really really fun environment. So much love and we love being here,” Eggleston said.

Serbia slid to a 2-6 record, with Nina Cajic leading the way with 18 points. Anja Zubic and Hena Kurtagic had 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Americans lost a set for the first time this week, but that didn’t stop them from earning 12 points from the Philippine stop to jack their total up to 20 and gain the lead in the FIVB’s premier annual international competition.

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Brazil, also unbeaten, takes a 19-point total into its clash with Germany in the Ankara leg in Turkiye at press time. INQ