Russia hammers Cuba in women’s Olympic qualifying match – Volleyball news
Using the advantage of height and better physicality, the Russian women defeated Cuban counterparts in the Olympic Qualifying match on Tuesday, May 22.
Tokyo Metropolitan Gym in Japan provided the backdrop for the match, while Russia ousted Cuba in straight sets, (25-19, 25-18, 25-20). Russia maintained its dominance in the competition and bagged third straight win in the competition. With such terrific
performance, Russia is the most favourite team to earn the Olympic Ticket via 2012 FIVB Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Russian top guns Ekaterina Gamova and Nataliya Goncharova devastated Cuban defence and dominated the scene. Gamova hit 15 spikes, four blocks, and added one service ace, which led her to match high 20 points. Likewise, Nataliya added 13 points, which included
12 spikes and one block.
Cuban team was supported by duo of Rosanna Giel and Yoana Palacios. They were the only players on Cuban team, who claimed double-figure score. They contributed 11 points each.
Russia started out with power and picked up an early lead. Cuba trailed behind and kept struggling in the opening set. Russia rallied from 5-3 to 7-3 and dragged Cuba under heavy pressure. Cuban team made too many unforced errors that also benefitted Russia.
Cuba ended up with 19 points in first set, while Russia achieved set points and went on front, 1-0.
In the second set, Cuba earned some points in the early moments as Russia committed serve errors. Cuba led the scores at 7-6 but could not defend its position for long. Russia bounced back and pushed the Cubans behind. Russia continued with success and captured
the second set (25-18).
Caribbean ladies from Cuba played to their full potential in the third set and picked one-point lead at 6-5. However, Russia chased the score and retook the control of operations. Thereafter, Russians did not allow the opponents to earn better status and
finished third set at 25-20.
“The result was good. We played well but did have a problem in the third set. However, we were able to solve it. Cuba didn't receive well, so that was a key to our victory. Evgenia Estes is unique - a special player. She is very experienced and we are happy
to have her on the team,” said the winning coach Sergey Ovchinnikov after the match.
The Cuban mentor Juan Carlos Gala acknowledged that Russia played skilfully and deserved the win. He stated, “They are very tall. We tried to apply pressure with our serve. We could not adjust to the high blocking. Our centre line play was not good. We did
not receive well but we did not expect to beat Russia. It was not in our plans. Russia may go unbeaten here.”
Tags: