Russia had no problems in their straight set victory against Puerto Rico, while Brazil scored a four-set challenging win over Thailand in the eight-finals to claim their quarterfinal spots at the 2021 FIVB Girls’ U18 World Championship in Durango, Mexico.
Girls' U18 World Championship 2021
Russia and Brazil claim quarterfinal spots
Russia with an easy win over Puerto Rico and Brazil challenged by Thailand
Published 10:30, 26 Sept 2021
In Monday’s quarterfinals, Russia will face Poland who beat Dominican Republic and Brazil goes head to head against Serbia that prevailed to Peru.
Opposite hitter Oskana Shvydkaia of Russia spikes against Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico had some successful plays on attacks as the match developed, but Russia had no problems in outclassing the Caribbean team with height and strength in every element of the game.
Russia’s overwhelming final statistics showed they were too much for Puerto Rico, with a 43-17 advantage in attacking, a huge 15-6 margin in blocking and a 5-2 margin in serves. Both teams committed similar amount of errors, Russia handed out eleven points and Puerto Rico twelve.
Middle blocker Natalia Suvorova of Russia led all scorers with 18 points, leading in blocks with nine points. Also contributing in Russia’s victory was outside hitter Kapralova Anastasiia with 15 points on ten kills and two blocks, alongside opposite hitter Alina Popova with 13 points.
“We tried to do our best and show a good game; that has been our goal in every performance. Russia is a good team and I am confident if we focus on our side of the court for our next performance we’ll be in the semifinals” commented Alina Popova, opposite hitter of Russia
Brazil was challenged by Thailand from start to finish. The South Americans recovered from a five-point deficit (10-15) in the first set stunned by the Asians defense. Brazil managed to keep the match under control in a really close finish in the second set, only to lose the third on the same basis of good defense and their own errors. Thailand edged Brazil again in the fourth set, but not enough to force a tie-break.
Brazil’s blocking was crucial in their victory scoring by a huge 17-5 advantage and with a 7-5 margin in serving points. Thailand did better in attacking points 55-47.
Five players led Brazil’s attacking, led by middle blockers Luzia da Silva Nezzo and Julliana Vitória de Andrade with 17 points and 14 points respectively, accompanied by outside hitters Aline Segato Maestri and Nicole Fernandes de Oliveira with twelve points apiece and Larissa Brandäo with ten points.
Outside hitters Ampha Sonsurat and Donphon Sinpho of Thailand led all scorers with 19 points each, both on 18 kills and one ace.
On their rollercoaster performance, Hylmer Do Nascimento Dias, Head coach of Brazil said “Thailand defends really well, from our side there was lack of patience; in height they are lower than us and that played a key part for Brazil to prevail with blocking. If Brazil wants consistency, we need more patience”.
