2010 SWATCH FIVB Junior Women’s World Championship: USA clinches golden-ware
The Turkish Mediterranean city Alanya grabbed world-wide attention for hosting the great beach volleyball event on the SWATCH FIVB World Tour Calendar. The Junior Women’s World Championship just rounded off on Sunday, 19th September, 2010. Out
of many other outstanding teams, USA’s Tara Roenicke and Summer Ross cruised past to catch the top-spot and brought great honour for the country. The event actually greeted 78 men and women’s team from 32 different nations and staged the competitions in Alanya,
Turkey.
It was the morning of a big day when U.S. pair of Tara Roenicke and Summer Ross played the gold match against Marta Menegati and Viktoria Orsi Toth of Italy. With the pride and poise of veterans, U.S. team launched their power over talented Italians and
got their hands on final title trophy. It was the longest match of the tournament, which lasted for 74 minutes in the sweltering, sun-drenched Alanya centre court sand. The players of both sides put mind, body and soul in the game, while Roenicke and Ross
proved to be the stronger combo and secured the title.
Detailed analysis
Marta/Vicktoria of Italy entered the gold-medal match with a plan to crush everything in their sight. The first set saw blazing shots by the Italian duo. They built a rhythm in their game and got all over the place. The U.S. team struggled to gain good status
but Italians stayed one step ahead in the game. Their movement on the hot sand was remarkable. American players waited for the right moment to jump in the game but Marta/Vicktoria swiftly extended their score to finish line. The set-point was achieved but
Roenicke/Ross lagged behind competitors Italy. The situation didn’t change much, and Italia pulled off victory in first set with a score of 21-19.
After dropping the first set, American pair started the attack from back-court area. They targeted the ball in gaps and raised their score. On the other side of the net, Italian team was equally active. They enjoyed the good tone, as they had already bagged
one victory in first set. Italy’s team stood in the court with their heels firm in ground. Americans had a tough task to overcome Italian rule in the second set. Somehow, they kept on chasing their score and tied the game eight times. The second set was inching
towards the end, and situation was quite confusing. The score shifted with an average speed, and there was not great difference of points.
Nonetheless, the U.S. pair blocked a few spikes which created a chance of lead for them. Roenicke served the ball with mighty hands and extended the team score. Ultimately, they got a kill in the last minute to end the second set with 26-24 victory. It was
a great battle and U.S. successfully surpassed their opponents.
The real hard-hitting was witnessed in third set. The 15-point golden set was quite nerving experience for both teams. Roenicke/Ross achieved the landmark, and won the set by posting 15-13. The match victory was declared by U.S. and they collected their
first gold-medal in this event.
The victorious American pair was more than happy for the brilliant win over Italy. Ross expressed her views after the match. She said, “I am speechless, I almost don’t know what to say I am so happy. Tara and I tried to stay calm, be focused and just play
point by point, and somehow in the end it worked for us, although the Italians were as tough a team to beat as I can remember playing at this level. Tara works so hard and makes so many great plays and between her and Jane I am know a double FIVB World Champion.
I am really humbled and wouldn’t be here without them.”
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