Hosts push the USA to the edge but fall in five sets at FIVB Grand Prix

(BEIJING, June 10) -- The enthusiastic crowd at Yokohama Arena couldn't spur the home team to victory on the second day of the FIVB Grand Prix, as Japan succumbed to the USA in five sets, 28-26, 20-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-11.

"It was a very hard game today. Even I sweated a bit," said US head coach Jenny Lang Ping, "The fans are great and cheering mostly for the Japan team. I think it is a great experience for us how you play this kind of hard game when you are behind, especially with Japan 2-1 ahead."

American Danielle Scott-Arruda led all players with 22 points, while Kurihara Megumi was Japan's highest scoring player with 16, including a number of stylish spikes that earned roars of approval from the home crowd.

With the Olympics less than a month away, and Japan and the USA in the same pool in the Olympic Women's Volleyball Tournament, both teams saw today's match as a good opportunity to size-up the other team.

"Both today's game and yesterday's game were very difficult," said Japanese head coach Yanagimoto Shoichi referring to Japan's loss to Cuba on Wednesday, "and the number of mistakes decided who would win or lose. For the Beijing Olympics I think the difference in level of the two teams will be much closer than before."