Cuba vs. Netherlands; Match 2 of 2011 Montreux Volley Masters - Volleyball
Women’s National Volleyball team of Cuba scored an amazing straight-set victory over Netherlands, while playing their second match of the 2011 Montreux Volley Masters on Wednesday, June 8. The Cuban ladies proved to be too strong for their Dutch counter-parts
and saw them off by posting 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, and 26-24) win.
The Montreux Volley Masters is a women’s competition, which serves the purpose of preparing teams for mega international event of the FIVB World Grand Prix. The 2011 Montreux Volley Masters started off on Tuesday, June 7 with the national volleyball teams
of eight countries. The teams have been placed in two pools:
Pool A – United States, China, Germany, and Peru Pool B – Netherland, Italy, Japan, and Cuba
China is defending the title this year, while U.S. team was the runner-up from last year. The rest are competing to grab better and improved positions, while Cuba is looking to make its mark. Cuba did not have a good experience in the opening match against
Italy. The Cubans failed to produce a solid performance and dropped the opening game. Nonetheless, they made a great come-back in the next match and held off Netherlands for a great win.
Netherland’s team roster was composed of following players:
Stoltenborg Femke Huurman Francien De Kruijf Robin Grothues Maret Steenbergen Quinta Blom Alice (Captain) Schoot Myrthe Van Tienen Janneke Pietersen Judith (Libero) Buijs Anne Dijkema Laura Koolhaas Nicole
Cuba worked out this great victory against Netherland with following set of players on the roster:
Salas Rosell Wilma Santos Allegne Yanelis Rojas Orta Alena Palacios Mendoza Yoana Lescay Cajigal Daymara Borrell Cruz Emily Cleger Abel Ana Lidia Castaneda Simon Liannes Giel Ramos Rosanna Carcaces Opon Kenia Silie Frometa Yusidey (Captain) Alvarez Hdez Jennifei Janet
Match Summary
The first whistle of the referee started things off in the afternoon as both produced powerful serves and the match was a heated competition from the beginning. Cuba’s Alena hit the ball with perfect timing and contributed to the early points to her team’s
score. Her team-mate Yanelis did equally well in attacking and attempted shots from different angles. Judith Pietersen of Netherland stood against the Cuban hitters with firm hands and showed solid blocking. Meanwhile, Anne Buijs threw some fire-balls in the
Cuban half. As a result, the score soared with a slight difference. Both sides regularly traded the lead but eventually Cuba got the upper hand. Cubans got a perfect kills to put an end to the first set in the 24th minute of the game. Dutch side
suffered the damaged of losing opening set with a narrow margin of 2 points at 23-25.
Cuba earned the competitive edge in the second set. They hit confidently and managed to put their opponents under pressure. Netherlands’ players seemed a little low on energy in the second set and made silly mistakes in haste. Cuban team totally benefitted
from the nervousness and errors of Dutch players and added quick points. A couple of nice shots helped Cuba to stretch the gap of points and the offensive attack of Kenia and Yanelis allowed Cuba to swiftly move to the finish line. Second set lasted for 23
minutes, while Cuba finished 25-16.
Netherlands was in trouble after dropping two consecutive sets but the Dutch players put up a courageously show in the third set. They incorporated good tactics and struggled to break the rhythm of the Cuban ladies. On the other side of the net, Caribbean
team was ready to put an end to the game in third set. Dutch player fought bravely but couldn’t avoid the defeat as Cuba claimed third set by sending 26-24 on board and announced match victory.
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