Coach Mauricio Thomas kisses captain Lana Conceicao after the victory over Japan in semifinals
Gurabo, Puerto Rico, September 18, 2015 – Brazil trounced Japan 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-21) to reach the gold medal match at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U18 World Championship on Friday night.
Brazil outblocked Japan 16-2 and held a 4-2 advantage in the aces department. The winners made 13 errors, ten less than the defeated side.
Lana Conceicao led three Brazilians with double figures in the scores with 15 points, followed by Lorenne Geraldo and Gabrielle Silva with 13 and 11, respectively. Nanami Hirose and Mizuki Yanagita finished with 14 and 13 for Japan.
The Brazilian Costa broke a 7-7 tie with a bomb in the first set and the South American side increased to 16-12 with outstanding defence at the net. Despite 8 points in the set from the Japanese Hirose, Brazil closed it 25-18 with an ace by Conceicaco.
Conceicao led the Brazilian offence to an 8-3 advantage in the second set. The Brazilian lead never was in danger as they arrived into the second pause 16-8 and finished the set 25-15.
The third set was a real battle with Japan in front 8-7 at the first TTO and Brazil leading 16-14 at the second stop. Brazil won 25-21 with a block by Silva against Yanagita.