Peru finishes 2011 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship in 6th spot - Volleyball
Peru hosted the 2011 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship from July 22-31 as the world’s best sixteen teams participated in the competition. The home team Peru was also on board to take advantage of the familiar conditions and go for a better position
on the FIVB youth and junior girls’ world rankings. The Peruvian team was challenged by the Dominican Republic in the 5th-position match on Sunday, July 31. A big crowd of more than 6,000 spectators came to watch the wonderful match at the Eduardo
Dibos Gymnasium in Lima but the guest team from Dominican Republic held off Peru for a 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-18, and 25-18) victory as the hosts settled for sixth in the ranking.
Home team played with full energy and picked up a lead of 3 points in the early few minutes of the opening set. Dominican Republic trailed behind at the first technical timeout and tried hard to catch up with opponents’ score. Elizabeth Martinez raised Dominican
Republic’s score and minimized the gap of points. Peru was just one point ahead of Dominican at the second technical break. As the play resumed after second technical timeout, Peru struggled to achieve the set points. Anyhow, resilient rival Dominican Republic
created much trouble with the heavy strike of volleys. The tie of scores at 23-all rang a bell of danger for Peru but thanks to Yllescaas and Katherina, who led their team to success in the opening set. Hosts managed to secure the first set of the game with
2-point margin at 25-23.
Peru claimed the opening set but Dominicans had shown the clear intent to seek revenge in the following sets. Besides, 2-point win in the previous set didn’t create a great impression on the Dominicans. The visitors played better in the second set and hit
the equalizer in the second set. Success in second set was a jump-start for Dominican Republic. The team didn’t stop afterwards and claimed the next two sets of the match as well. The match result was out at the end of fourth set. Dominican Republic emerged
as victorious side and they got hold of the 5th position in the ranking.
Post-match scenario
Natalia Malaga, the Head Coach of Peru appeared at the post-match press conference with a cold-impression on her face. She obviously didn’t like losing the final match of the tournament. Peru couldn’t create happy ending in the tournament. However, she congratulated
the opposite team for winning the match. She stated: “Dominican Republic could control their emotions and their way to play, and Peru couldn’t.”
Peruvian Captain, Clarivett Yllescas, said that she didn’t expect this sort of match outcome. However, she was satisfied that her side put an effort to beat Dominican Republic.
Gabriela Reyes, the Dominican Captain, seemed delighted with the victory against Peru. She said: “We are happy for winning. We are proud and we will continue working. We had worked so hard to be here.”
The mentor of Dominican Republic, Wagner Pacheco, praised the good effort of his team. In his view, Dominicans made a difference in the game with their better block and serve.
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