KYOTO, JAPAN: Thailand's national w

KYOTO, JAPAN: Thailand's national women's volleyball team, hoping to regain some momentum in their World Grand Prix campaign, fell in straight sets to a powerful Japanese squad at Shimazu Arena in Kyoto on Friday. The Rio-bound Japanese recorded 46 spikes to Thailand's 29 en route to a 25-20, 25-19, 25-15 victory to open the third round of the tournament. Thailand was led by Ajcharaporn Kongyot with 18 points and captain Wilavan Apinyapong with 10. The Thai women, ranked 13th in the world, are taking part in the World Grand Prix for the 14th time. Their best result came back in 2012 when they finished fourth. Last year they ended in ninth place. So far this year they are 10th in their 12-team group with two wins.