Peru finally hit the mark in second round – 2011 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship
Peru beat the U.S. in the last match of the second round of the 2011 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship on Thursday, July 28. The sold out Eduardo Dibos Gymnasium in Lima City hosted the amazing performance, where the hosts overpowered the visitors. The U.S. team received a 2-3 (25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 20-25, and 9-15) defeat from Peru. It was the national independence day of Peru on July 28, so the festivity was doubled as the home squad also won the match.
Victory did not help Peru move to the next stage of the tournmanet as the U.S. team had already qualified for the semi-finals. However, the home crowd was happy to see their team with the winners’ tag. Peru finished the second round of the championship in fourth place, while Team USA followed up the pool topper Italy in second. The American team will now appear in the semi-final for gold, while Peru will compete in the 5-8 classification semi-finals.
The 18 points contributed by Grecia Herrada of Peru were quite valuable in the teams win. The skipper of the Peruvian team Clarivett Yllescas, Vivian Baella, and Brenda Uribe were also vital to the team’s success. They registered 14 points apiece. Haley Eckerman of the oppossing team was named top-scorer of the match as she clipped 24 points for the U.S. Likewise, Carly Wopat and Madelyn Hustson added 19 and 16 points, respectively.
The uproar of fans and happy slogans encouraged the home team to take a good start in the game. The better attack and defence strategies in the opening set enabled the Peruvian squad to enjoy dominance over their opponents. American team resisted and tried to hinder the march of the hosts but could not hold them back from winning the first set. After dropping the opening set, U.S. team came up with a different plan and levelled the game score by capturing the second set. The see-saw battle continued in the third set and Peru once again extended its lead to 2-1. Americans denied the Peruvian efforts and claimed fourth set to create the dead-lock of 2-2.
It was an equal chance for both teams to make it to the top in the final set of the game. The 15-point golden set was an action pacted affair. The exchange of fast spikes and deadly aces introduced a new rhythem to the clash. The hosts slightly got better and managed to take lead as they closed the final set with a six point lead and announced match victory.
“Congratulations to Peru. They did a very good job and it was a great match. On our side of the net, we failed in the serve and receive and couldn't get into any rhythm. Furthermore, we had problems with the crowd and we let this situation affected us." Said the U.S. captain Kelly Reeves after the match. Her Peruvian counterpart Clarivet Yllescas also added: “I am happy for winning. We knew that it would be hard because we didn’t know very well the rival, but fortunately we could obtain the victory. Congratulations to USA, it was a good match.”
Robert Browning, the U.S. mentor congratulated the winning team and stated that they deserved to win. Speaking of his own team’s performance, he said that they were under immense pressure, committed too many mistakes and eventually had to give in.
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