HAMAMATSU, Japan, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States pulled off the first upset of the 2007 women's volleyball World Cup after beating Cuba 20-25, 25-21, 25-18, 20-25, 15-11 here on Saturday.

    Logan Tom continued her fine form after coming back to the American squad for the first time in three years, scoring 18 points to help the United States to its second win in two days.

Glass Kimberly of the U.S. (L) spikes the ball against Cuba during the first phase match of FIVB Volleyball World Cup 2007 in Hamamatsu, central Japan Nov. 3, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "I think it's the second time for us to play Cuba over five sets. When you have a tie-break, it very much depends on the players and the tempo you have, and also a bit of luck," said the United States' Chinese head coach Lang Ping. "Both teams had a great match, but I think at the important moments, we played well."

    All American players except Jennifer Joines had been sent to court by Lang Ping during the marathon match that lasted for one hour and 45 minutes.

    "We used 11 players today and all the players are ready from the bench," Lang added. "We try to help each other. It's very important for this long tournament that you should have 12 players who are ready to play."

    Tayyiba Haneef-park also contributed 18 points for the United States and Kimberly Glass, who replaced Ogonna Nnamani starting from the second set, finished with 12 points.

    Cuba overcame a slowly start to grab a 16-11 lead in the second TTO of the first set. Two fine spikes from Heather Bown and a couple of Cuban errors helped the United States cut the deficit to17-15, but the Cubans were able to earn set point with a cracking ace serve from Nancy Carillo before the Americans handed the set to them when Haneef-Park served into the net.

    The Americans recollected themselves to start the second set strongly thanks to three sloppy Cuban errors and two big blocks from Tom, forcing Cuban coach Antonio Perdomo to call an early timeout with the score at 5-0. A good spike and then a block from Fernandez Barros brought Cuba back into the game, but they were struggling to get their game together.

    Trailing 16-12 at the second TTO, Cuba started to find a little more rhythm to their game. Some clever play by Yumilka Ruiz and a couple of big hits from Rosir Calderon closed the gap to 22-20, but the Americans ran off three of the last four points to level one set back.

Lang Ping, coach of the U.S. gestures during the first phase match of FIVB Volleyball World Cup 2007 between the U.S. and Cuba in Hamamatsu, central Japan Nov. 3, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    After the two sides traded wins in the next two sets, the match was dragged into the tiebreaker, where the Americans had a sluggish start to allow Cuba an early 3-0 lead. But then the Cubans got sloppy and the United States overtook the lead at 7-5 before it was tied at 11-all.

    At the crucial point, Glass came up big and Haneef-Park gave the Americans match point at 14-11 and a great block by Danielle Scott-Arruda ended the match.

    "This was a difficult, tough and long game for us. During the game we played well at times and not well at others," said Cuba coach Antonio Perdomo. "We tried hard to beat the U.S., but they won and I want to congratulate them on their victory."

    In Tokyo, European runner-up Serbia also collected its second straight victory by beating Thailand 25-20, 18-25, 25-17 and 26-24.

    Jovana Brakocevic and Brizitka Molnar scored 16 points each for Serbia, who is fighting for a ticket to next year's Beijing Olympics in its first ever World Cup trip.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]