Shreveport-Bossier City, USA, August 3, 2019 – After recording wins on the opening day, the United States and Bulgaria played for second victories in Tokyo Volleyball Qualification Pool C with the North Americans claiming a five-set victory 3-2 (21-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10).
Kelsey Robinson led USA in their straight-set win against Kazakhstan, but this time it was Jordan Larson who top-scored with 23 points.
In the second match of the day in Pool C, Kazakhstan lost to Argentina in four sets 3-1 (22-25, 25-8, 25-20, 25-16).
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United States – Bulgaria (August 3, 2019)
Head-to-Head
• United States and Bulgaria meet for the first time in the last seven world Olympic qualifying campaigns (1996-2020).
• United States won five of their seven meetings with Bulgaria in major world level tournaments (Olympic Games, World Championship, World Cup, World Grand Prix, Nations League, Grand Champions Cup).
• United States won their last four world level matches against Bulgaria, since a 3-0 defeat at the 1998 World Championship.
• United States defeated Bulgaria in straight sets in the 2019 Volleyball Nations League, their most recent world level encounter.
United States
• United States convincingly beat Kazakhstan 3-0 in their first qualifying match for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They gave up only 37 points in their win.
• United States could qualify for their 12th Olympic Games. They won silver in 1984, 2008 and 2012, while grabbing bronze in 1992 and 2016.
• Of USA's nine players who scored points against Kazakhstan, Kelsey Robinson (13 points) and Tetori Dixon (10) reached double figures.
• Tetori Dixon recorded multiple points in attacks (6), blocks (2) and serves (2) in Shreveport-Bossier City.
Bulgaria
• Bulgaria started their campaign for a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games berth with a 3-1 win over Argentina.
• Bulgaria could qualify for the Olympic Games for the second time after 1980, when they claimed the bronze medal.
• Elitsa Vasileva (18 points) was top scorer in the match between Bulgaria and Argentina on Friday.
• Mira Todorova had five stuff blocks against Argentina, as many as all Argentinean players combined combined.
Kazakhstan – Argentina (August 3, 2019)
Head-to-Head
• Kazakhstan and Argentina meet for the first time in the last seven world Olympic qualifying campaigns (1996-2020).
• Argentina defeated Kazakhstan 3-2 in the 2013 World Grand Prix, the only meeting between the teams in a major world level tournament (Olympic Games, World Championship, World Cup, World Grand Prix, Nations League, Grand Champions Cup). Kazakhstan led twice in that match.
Kazakhstan
• Kazakhstan started their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 defeat against hosts United States.
• Kazakhstan still have a slim chance to qualify for their second Olympic Games, after 2008, when they finished in joint-ninth place alongside Poland.
• Kazakhstan won only two of their last 15 matches in a world Olympic qualification tournament, both in 2008: 3-0 against Republic of Korea and 3-1 versus Thailand.
• Natalia Sharshakova scored nine of Kazakhstan's 37 points on Friday in Shreveport-Bossier City. Natalya Akilova produced three aces.
Argentina
• Argentina won the first set on Friday against Bulgaria, but surrendered the following three to lose 3-1.
• At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Argentina appeared for the first time at the Olympic Games. They finished in joint-ninth place alongside Italy.
• Paula Yamila Nizetich (16), Elina Rodriguez (13) and Lucia Fresco (13) reached double figures in scoring against Bulgaria.
• Candelaria Lucia Herrera Rodriguez was the only Argentina player who contributed at least one winner from attacks (1), blocks (2) and serves (1) on Friday.