Rock Leads U.S. Women to Win

Angela Rock, a former San Diego State All-American, led the United States women’s volleyball team to a 15-11, 15-11, 11-15, 15-4 victory over Japan in front of 1,800 at SDSU’s Peterson Gym Friday night.

The U.S. team is 5-1 on the seven-match tour.

Both teams have been rebuilding since the United States won the silver medal and Japan the bronze at the 1984 Olympics. Coming into 1987, the Americans were 13-21 against Japan since 1985.

The U.S. team has now won 8 of the last 10 matches between the teams and is 9-3 this year.

“I think we’re the best of the second pack,” U.S. Coach Terry Lyskevych said. “We’re behind China, Cuba and the Soviet Union. I think with a 20-to-40% improvement next year we can be in the top three.”

Japan stayed close in every game but the fourth despite committing 17 service errors. Japan scored three straight points to take a 14-10 lead in Game 3. Keiko Miyajima scored Japan’s last three points to cut the U.S. lead to 2-1.

The U.S. team took a 6-0 lead in the fourth game. Japan rallied to cut the score to 6-3, but the U.S. team scored the next eight points to take a commanding 14-3 lead.