Yokohama, Japan, October 18, 2018 - Kimberly Hill scored a match-high 25 points as the United States downed Japan 3-1 (25-23, 25-16, 23-25, 25-23) in the fifth-place match at the FIVB Women's World Championship on Friday night. USA's coach was happy to see his team finish with a victory.
USA coach Karch Kiraly: It is always an honor and a pleasure to play Japan in Japan with a full gymnasium. Our team had disappointing losses in the tournament, but I'm proud of how the team came back tonight and fought hard to close out with a win.
USA captain Jordan Larson: This tournament has been tough. We are happy to end it on a high note. We always love coming to Japan, and this World Championship was awesome.
Japan coach Kumi Nakada: We wanted to end with a win - that was our motivation. Their service disrupted us. We were behind most of the time as the match progressed. The players worked hard in the World Championship, bouncing back after losing at the Asian Games to be able to make it back to the final round in Yokohama.
Japan captain Nana Iwasaka: We take the result as it is. How we spend the next two years before the 2020 Olympics is important. We must review fully if we are to win a medal. We have not a day to waste. We have to work hard and grow.
Japan player Ai Kurogo: We wanted to win the last match. We had a strong feeling on and off the court about this. We lost in the end. We still have a way to go. I hope we can come together as a team.
Japan player Sarina Koga: We wanted to win the last match. We are full of sadness that we could not. We lost close matches to strong teams. We must close the gap in the next two years. I hope the team will become stronger.
Japan player Kanami Tashiro: From the opening match to the final round we could not get a medal. We wanted to end with a win. We gave up opportunities today and other days. We must enhance our technical capabilities, otherwise we can't win against strong teams.