Russia pick up two wins in 2019 World Super 6 opener

Tokyo, Japan, November 13, 2019 – European champions Russia recorded two victories, while reigning Paralympic champions the United States won their match on the opening day of the 2019 World Super 6 for Women at the Taito Riverside Sports Centre.

In the tournament opener, Irina Smirnova and Ekaterina Okorokova led Russia with double-digit scoring outputs to beat hosts Japan 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-18). Smirnova topped all scorers with 13 points and got help from Okorokova who added 12 markers. The rest of the Russian players contributed well on offence, while the Japanese side relied on their main hitter Shiori Ogata who made 12 points.

The Russians carried their momentum into their next encounter and registered another straight-set (25-15, 25-19, 25-9) win against neighbours Ukraine to end conclude their day in pole position with two triumphs. Smirnova and Okorokova once again delivered 13 and 12 points, respectively, but received more scoring support from Iuliia Mednikova who contributed 10 points. The Ukranians were limited to score in single digits, with captain Oleksandra Podliesna and Liudmyla Lozko making seven points apiece on a losing effort.

Meanwhile, the USA squad played clinical against Ukraine to win their first match 3-0 (25-2, 25-10, 25-11). USA captain Heather Erickson and Monique Burkland spearheaded the team’s offence, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively, while their teammates all scored in the match to overwhelm their European counterparts. Ukraine were limited to only have four scorers on the board, with captain Podliesna as the lone bright spot on offence with nine points.

The action will continue on Thursday, with Japan playing against USA at 9.00 local time and the main header at 15.30 against Ukraine. USA will play their second match of the day against Russia at 14.00.


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2019 World Super 6 – Women
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