USA continue their winning streak to stay on full points at 2014 Women’s World Champs

The Dominican Republic won their fourth tiebreak in as many tries at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship, to defeat Belgium 3-2. In Trieste, Croatia shocked Japan with a 3-2 victory. Japan failed to take advantage of the Dominican Republic dropping two sets against Belgium, and have dropped a further point behind their Caribbean rivals in their quest for a top-three finish in Pool E. Meanwhile, Croatia have overtaken Belgium for fifth place.

Italy defeated a brave Azerbaijan 3-1 in Bari. The hosts have taken advantage of the Dominican Republic's dropping a point against Belgium; to further secure their second place in the standings, now with a two-point margin over the Caribbean team. China kept the upper hand over Germany 3-0 and retain their top position in the standings of Pool E, one point ahead of Italy.

The United States of America managed to keep Turkey under control 3-1, which keeps them with full points at the top of Pool F. The Americans are now virtually with one foot in Round III. World No.1 Brazil have swept Kazakhstan in straight sets to stay within two points of Pool F leaders USA and shake off any attempts by the other aspirants to a place within the top three. Kazakhstan remain on no points at the bottom of the table.

Russia quickly recovered from their blackout at the end of the third set to defeat Bulgaria 3-1 and avoid any further damage. The defending champions remain in third place in the Pool F standing, within the qualifying zone - although Serbia, who overpowered the Netherlands 3-0 earlier on Wednesday - are still just one point behind. 

The second round of the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship will continue on Thursday with the second day of Round II featuring the best 16 teams of the planet. 

A total of 32 matches are played during the second phase of the tournament, running from October 1-5 in the Italian cities of Bari, Trieste, Verona and Modena, with the best three teams of Pool E and Pool F advancing to the third competition round.

POOL E (in Trieste & Bari): Italy, Dominican Republic, Croatia, Germany, China, Japan, Belgium, Azerbaijan

POOL F (in Modena & Verona): Brazil, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, USA, Russia, Netherlands, Kazakhstan 

Croatia-Japan / 3-2 / VIEW

Italy-Azerbaijan / 3-1 / VIEW

Germany-China / 0-3 / VIEW

Turkey-USA / 1-3 / VIEW

Brazil- Kazakhstan / 3-0 / VIEW

Bulgaria-Russia / 1-3 / VIEW

Polina Rahimova- 33 of Azerbaijan v Japan on 23-9-14

Brankica Mihajlovic- 31 of Serbia v Bulgaria on 24-9-14

Polina Rahimova- 32 of Azerbaijan v Puerto Rico on 25-9-14

Lise Van Hecke- 23 of Belgium v Azerbaijan on 27-9-14

Tatiana Kosheleva-31 of Russia v USA on 28-9-14

Bethania De La Cruz De Peña-30 of Dominican Republic v Belgium and

Lise Van Hecke-30 of Belgium v Dominican Republic on 1-10-14

33- Polina Rahimova of Azerbaijan v Japan on 23-9-14

32- Polina Rahimova of Azerbaijan v Puerto Rico on 25-9-14

31- Brankica Mihajlovic of Serbia v Bulgaria on 24-9-14

31- Tatiana Kosheleva of Russia v USA on 28-9-14

10- Kubra Akman of Turkey v Bulgaria on 25-9-14

9- Zhu Ting of China v Japan on 28-9-14

6- Regla Gracia Gonzalez of Cuba v Azerbaijan on 29-9-14

5- Mizuho Ishida of Japan v Azerbaijan on 23-9-14

5- Margareta Kozuch of Germany v Croatia on 28-9-14

24- Brazil v Turkey on 27-9-14

19- China v Japan on 28-9-14

13- Croatia v Tunisia on 27-9-14

12- Germany v Croatia on 28-9-14

36-34 Thailand v Mexico (2nd set) on 25-9-14

34-32 USA v Russia (1st set) on 28-9-14 

32-30 Netherlands v Mexico (1st set) on 28-9-14

220- USA v Russia 3-1 (34-32, 25-19, 29-31, 26-24) on 28-9-14

218- Azerbaijan v Puerto Rico 3-2 (25-20, 24-26, 26-24, 16-25, 17-15) on 25-9-14

218- Croatia v Dominican Republic 2-3 (22-25, 13-25, 25-22, 26-24, 17-19) on 25-9-14

217- Dominican Republic v Germany 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 25-21, 24-26, 15-13) on 23-9-14