Irina Fetisova and Natalia Malykh block Kazakhstan to secure their third win at this World Championship
Verona, Italy, September 25, 2014 – Russia advanced to the second phase of the FIVB Women’s World Championship Italy 2014 seeing off Kazakhstan in straight sets (25-13, 25-21, 25-16) in Pool C at PalaOlimpia on Thursday.
Key points:
•Russia gained their 16th consecutive World Championship win and have now won 24 of their last 25 in the competition
•Russia are yet to lose a set at this World Championship
•Russia's win came in the first World Championship meeting between the countries
•It was the third time Russia have played a former Soviet Union team at the World Championship and they also won on the previous two occasions (Ukraine in 1994 and Azerbaijian in 2006)
Nataliya Goncharova was the top scorer on court with 14 points, followed by Tatiana Kosheleva and Irina Zaryazhko with 11 points. Kazakhstan relied on Sana Anarkulova and Inna Matveyeva, who both scored 10 points.
Russia took an early advantage in the first set as Ekaterina Gamova kept attacking, allowing the European side to lead 11-6.
Setter Evgenija Startseva scored two aces and opposite spiker Goncharova scored both in attack and on blocks, reaching the second technical time out to 16-9.
One too many defense errors on the Kazakhstan side of the court gave Russia a comfortable lead , and Gamova secured the first set spiking to 25-13.
Kazakhstan felt determined in the beginning of the second set and took an early lead. But it was not for long as the Russians quickly tied the score and took control of the game again.
Startseva’s serves were unstoppable for the Asian defense, but Kazakhstan took the chance to level on blocking errors by a seemingly tired Gamova.
Unforced errors from both sides gave points to either teams, but once Russia closed the set 25-21.
Russia dominated the beginning of the third set as Kazakhstan’s defense repeatedly struggled to save balls. Despite Matveyeva’s shots, the Asians could not close the gap and Russia reached the second technical time out at 16-10.
Kazakhstan did not give up and kept attempting attacks until the end, but Russia’s defense was impenetrable and a successful blok by Goncharova closed the match 25-16.
Russia have now nine points in their bag, enough to proceed to the second phase of the competition. After a rest day they will play the Netherlands, while Kazakhstan will meet Mexico on Saturday.