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Six of the top seven women's volleyball teams in the world will be coming to Omaha, Neb., to compete in the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix Finals Round July 22-26 at the CenturyLink Center.
The U.S. Women's National Team, ranked No. 1 in the world and winners of last year's FIVB World Championship, finished the nine-match preliminary round ranked third with an 8-1 record and 24 points - its only blemish a five-set loss to No. 3 China (9-0, 26 points), which finished second in the preliminary round. China finished second to Team USA in last year's World Championship.
Former Huskers Jordan Larson-Burbach, Kelsey Robinson and Kayla Banwarth have played important roles throughout the tournament and will continue to do so when play begins on Wednesday against Japan at 8:05 p.m.
FIVB World Grand Prix Finals Page | Finals Schedule | U.S. Women's Home Page
Brazil, ranked No. 2 in the world, concluded the preliminary round 9-0 with a perfect 27 points. No. 5 Italy and No. 7 Russia ended the preliminary round 5-4 overall with 14 points for fourth and fifth place in the standings. No. 4 Japan, at 4-5 with 13 points, was the sixth and final team to qualify after defeating Thailand today and coupled with Germany's victory over Serbia.
The U.S. opens the Finals against Japan on July 22, followed by Italy on July 23 and Russia on July 24. All three matches will be played at 8:05 p.m. CT.
On the fourth day of competition, Team USA faces Brazil at 5 p.m. CT. The Americans will challenge China on July 26 at Noon CT in a match to be shown live on NBC in the United States.
FIVB World Grand Prix Finals Round Schedule (all times CT)
July 22
Brazil vs. China, 3 p.m.
Italy vs. Russia, 5 p.m.
USA vs. Japan, 8:05 p.m. | Live Stream
July 23
Brazil vs. Russia, 3 p.m.
Japan vs. China, 5 p.m.
USA vs. Italy, 8:05 p.m. | Live Stream
July 24
Brazil vs. Japan, 3 p.m.
China vs. Italy, 5 p.m.
USA vs. Russia, 8:05 p.m. | Live Stream
July 25
China vs. Russia, 3 p.m. CT
USA vs. Brazil, 5 p.m. CT | Live Stream
Italy vs. Japan, 8:05 p.m.
July 26
USA vs. China, Noon | NBC
Italy vs. Brazil, 3 p.m.
Japan vs. Russia, 5 p.m.