It was Maddie Skinner's Volleyball Nations League debut.
Skinner won back-to-back NCAA titles at Texas and is the only active college player on the roster for the Longhorns, who led the USA to a four-set victory over a tie in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
Skinner had 13 kills, four blocks and three aces in America's 25-22, 19-25, 25-12, 25-18 victory. The result was expected, but going into the second day of the tournament Japan's impressive five-set victory over defending champion Turkiye was not expected.
The games began on Tuesday with Poland's convincing victory over Italy in Antalya, Turkiye, followed by China's convincing victory over South Korea in Rio and Brazil's four-point victory over Canada.
In Tourquier on Wednesday, Germany dominated France, with Japan upsetting the home team 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 15-11. The Dominican Republic dominated Serbia in the second half of the match in Rio.
Six games will be played on Thursday, including the United States vs. China. In Rio, Brazil will play against South Korea and the Dominican Republic will play against Canada. You can watch it all on Volleyball World TV.
Skinner was an outsider in college and also won the NCAA title as a freshman at Kentucky before transferring to Texas, scoring nine points against Ty.
Ali Franti had 13 kills, seven digs and one ace. Anna Hall had nine kills, one block, and two aces, and Skinner's older sister, Avery, had nine kills, one block, and one ace. Brionne Butler had six kills and four blocks. Setter Jordyn Poulter made her international return after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery and had one kill, eight digs and one ace. Libero Zoe Fleck scored 12 goals.
Pimpichaya Kokram was Thailand's ace with 13 kills, while Chachu Mokthri had 13 kills.
In Japan's victory, Sarina Koga had 27 kills, one block, three aces, and 14 digs. Mayu Ishikawa had 18 kills, 2 aces, and 13 digs. Manami Kojima had 20 digs.
Turkiye's Tugba Senoglu Ibegin had 15 kills, three blocks and an ace. Ebral Karakut had 14 kills, one block, and one ace, and Hande Baladin had 14 kills and one ace. Melissa Vargas had nine kills and three blocks.