Showing that they deserved to be ranked number one in the FIVB Junior and Youth World Rankings, Brazil defeated Slovakia 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-12) in a Pool F matchup of the second round of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Junior World Championship in Peru 2011.
With six points in the second round, Brazil moves into a tie for first place in Pool F with China, meaning Pool F will be decided when Brazil plays China at 18.15 on July 28. Slovakia will seek their first points of the second round when they challenge Belgium at 20.15 on July 28.
Brazil’s Gabriela Souza, the third best scorer in the tournament, had 13 points. Slovakia’s Simona Kosova, the best spiker in the tournament, had six spikes. Brazil scored 12 points off blocks, compared to four for Slovakia.
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Brazil only needed 22 minutes to defeat Slovakia in the first set, with Gabriela Souza recording the final kill. Samara Almeida had a very productive opening set for Brazil, scoring five points including two on serves. It was not until Slovakia’s ninth point that another player managed to score besides Nikola Radosova, who led her squad with four points.
Slovakia rebounded and played with much more focus in the second set. Libero Lucia Nikmonova made several stellar defensive plays for Slovakia. The game was tied as late as at 16 points, but Brazil did a better job finishing plays. Through the first two sets, five Brazil players had totaled seven or more points, while Slovakia did not have any. Samara Almeida converted 12 of 14 dig attempts for Brazil in the first two sets.
Brazil had a quick start to the third set, scoring 11 of the first 14 points, and Slovakia failed to recover. Sthefanie Paulino led Brazil with seven points in the final set.
