Kiwis Taino Savage (8) and Rebecca Toomage (10) block attack from Fijian player T. Logavalu | Wellington, New Zealand, April 22, 2009 – New Zealand hit top gear against a strong Fijian team and grabbed their straight second win with a 3-0 victory on the third day of the 2010 FIVB Women’s World Championship Asian Preliminary round Pool A tournament here on Wednesday.
In the earlier match of the day, Samoa, who lost their first two matches, were far too powerful for Tonga and clinched their first win in the tournament.
After three days’ competition, the Kiwis lead the standings with four points from two wins and no defeats while Fiji have a win and loss record of 1-1, earning three points. Samoa have finished their task with all the three matches played, and collected four points from one win and two losses.
New Zealand easily won the first two sets 25-15 and 25–16 against Fiji. The Kiwis looked comfortable throughout the first set with great passing and defensive work from Chantelle Tung keeping the pressure on Fiji all the way. The second set went almost the same way with New Zealand jumping out to a big lead.
However, in the third set, Fiji came back through some big kills by Anaseini Seniloli, and forced New Zealand into chasing during the early stages. Then Kiwi captain Debbie Hill led the fight back with a big block on the Fijian captain Marie-Claire Brehaut, and Janelle Fraser also made an impact coming off the bench with some tough serves. The Kiwis regained the upper hand late in the set to win it 25-21 and also the match.
New Zealand’s top points scorer was Hill once again with 23 points, including 19 spikes. Taina Savage also had a big game with 12 spike kills and 2 aces.
For Fiji their captain Anaseini Seniloli was best scorer with 12 points.
“It was a fantastic win. I was very happy with the team’s execution and they kept the standard that they had set for themselves,” said New Zealand coach Shelley Addison. “It was great to see Taina Savage at her best again.”
In the first match on Wednesday, Samoa Women won their last pool match 3-0. Samoa’s height at the net and powerful spiking overcame a spirited Tonga, who scrambled well nevertheless.
The first set was close for the most part until Samoa pulled away at the end 25-20. The second and third sets were completely controlled by Samoa.
Top points scorer was Leo Grace from Samoa with 17 points, 8 spikes and 6 blocks, while Nancy Mafi of Tonga was their best with 11 points.
New Zealand Women have a day off tomorrow with Tonga women squaring off against Fiji women. New Zealand will play their final match against Tonga on Friday night, looking to secure the trip to Kazakhstan.
This women’s preliminary round tournament drew teams from Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. The tournament winner 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 the runner-up will go to Nakhonpathon of Thailand in June to compete against Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh in Asian Pool C of the second round.
Women’s schedule
April 20: Fiji vs. Samoa 3-2 (13-25, 25-17, 14-25, 25-21, 15-10)
April 21: New Zealand vs. Samoa 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 20-25, 25-19)
April 22: Tonga vs. Samoa 0-3 (20-25, 14-25, 16-25); New Zealand vs. Fiji 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-21)
April 23: Tonga vs. Fiji
April 24: Tonga vs. New Zealand |
