The day started in Nakhon Ratchasima with a five-set battle, which saw Czechia come from behind to beat Slovenia 3-2 (22-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-13) and claim their first victory in the tournament. With two rounds completed, the Americans have six points and are guaranteed in the Round of 16. Argentina, with three, Czechia, with two, and Slovenia, with one, fight for the other spot in the elimination rounds.
Olympic medalist middle blockers Dana Rettke and Chiaka Ogbogu led the way for the Americans, with the former tallying 15 points (11 kills, three blocks, one ace) and the latter registering 14 (eight kills, five blocks, one ace). Outside hitters Sarah Franklin and Avery Skinner were also pivotal, with 15 and 13 points, respectively.
“It feels awesome to have qualified, we’re super excited,” Franklin reacted. “The second set didn’t go as we expected, but we as a team just wanted to do better in the things that didn’t go well, and I thought we did a great job with it in sets three and four.”