Taira Savage of New Zealand spikes past Tongan blockers | Wellington, New Zealand, - New Zealand claimed a crucial victory over Tonga on the last day of the 2010 FIVB World Championship Asian first-round preliminary tournament here on Friday. The Kiwis joined Fiji, who earned the second round ticket after beating Tonga on Thursday, in the second round. New Zealand took only 56 minutes to beat Tonga comfortably in straight sets to secure first place in the tournament and book their tickets to Kazakhstan for the second round. New Zealand led the tournament's standings with six points from three wins and no defeats, Fiji placed second with five points from two wins and one defeat, Samoa earned four points from a win-loss record of 1-2, finishing third, while Tonga suffered three defeats, placing last with three points. According to the regulations, the top two winners of Asian Pool A are to enter the second round. New Zealand will play against Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Maldives in Asian Pool B of the second round in Ust-Kamenogorsk of Kazakhstan through June 12-14 while Fiji will go to Nakhonpathon of Thailand in June to compete against Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh in Asian Pool C of the second round. In the last match of the tournament, Shelley Addison, head coach of the host team, had the opportunity to give many of her substitutes experience at international level as the team managed to open a comfortable lead in each set. Tonga played well but were not able to kill the ball past New Zealand's defence. The crowd were on hand to witness one of New Zealand's most important Volleyball achievements in resent years. Captain Debbie Hill top scored for the match with 16 point, including 5 aces. Lisa Claassen made the most of her second appearance for the host team with 8 kill spikes. Tonga's top scorer was Loeta Filisonu with 9 points. New Zealand opened up an early lead in the first set, going into the first technical time at 8-4. The Kiwis continued to dominate with Peri Stenhouse coming off the bench and the team closed out the set 25-15. In the second set Lisa Claassen and Marie-Claire Brehaut started and helped New Zealand to an 8-1 lead. The Kiwis consolidated the lead and introduced Nicole Yardley to set. Their momentum continued and the set finished 25-10. The third set was much closer as New Zealand continued to make changes in their line up, starting with Janelle Fraser, Peri Stenhouse, Claassen, Yardley, Hill and Brehaut. Once again New Zealand pulled away to win the set 25-17 and the match 3-0. Kiwi captain Hill performed very well in the four-day tournament and won a total of four individual awards, including best scorer, spiker, server and receiver. Final standings: 1. New Zealand W3 L0 Pts6 2. Fiji W2 L1 Pts5 3. Samoa W1 L2 Pts4 4. Tonga W0 L3 Pts3 The individual awards: Best scorer:Hill Deborah Anne (NZL) Best spiker: Hill Deborah Anne (NZL) Best blocker: Lee Grace Lina (SAM) Best server: Hill Deborah Anne (NZL) Best digger: Lee Grace Lina (SAM) Best setter: Lese Lrene (NZL) Best receiver: Hill Deborah Anne (NZL) Best libero: Ng-wun Nadia (NZL) The complete results: Fiji vs. Samoa 3-2 (13-25, 25-17, 14-25, 25-21, 15-10) New Zealand vs. Samoa 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 20-25, 25-19) Tonga vs. Samoa 0-3 (20-25, 14-25, 16-25); New Zealand vs. Fiji 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-21) Tonga vs. Fiji 0-3 (23-25, 23-25, 24-26) Tonga vs. New Zealand 0-3 (15-25, 10-25, 17-25) | 
