U.S. spikers too much for Italians

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

12 p.m. — Serbia vs USA

4 p.m. — Czech Republic vs Dominican Republic

8 p.m. — Japan vs Italy

There’s no stopping the streaking United States.

The Americans flexed their big guns and downed defending champion Italy in straight sets, 27-25, 25-20, 25-16, for their fifth straight win in Week 2 of the Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

USA displayed grace under pressure in the extended opening set and got its rhythm going in the next two frames to wrap the match in 84 minutes.

The crowd-drawing Americans improved to a 6-1 win-loss record to stay in the top three of the prestigious 18-nation tournament.

Stephanie Samedy was unstoppable, scoring all of her 12 points on attacks for the US, which stayed true to its tag as one of the top blocking teams in the competition with nine kill blocks.

Madison Banks added 11 points on 10 kills and a kill block while Asjina O’Neal finished with nine points. Molly McCage accounted for four of the Americans’ total kill blocks for a nine-point production.

US saved a set point in the opening frame of an Italy error for a 24-24 deuce. A Samedy attack gave the Americans the set point advantage but Sarah Fahr answered with a kill to knot it at 25.

Samedy fired back with consecutive hits to complete the Americans’ escape.

The next two sets were all US as it handed the Italians its second loss in seven games.

Merit Adigwe paced Italy with 13 points on eight kills, four kill blocks and an ace while Fahr unloaded eight, all from attacks.