US pair clinches success at the Country Quota Playoffs of Smart Grand Slam, Berlin – Volleyball News
The 2012 SWATCH FIVB Smart Grand Slam Berlin started off on Tuesday, July 10 in Germany and featured Country Quota Playoffs on the opening day.
In the US CQs, Angela Akers-Brittany Hochevar collided with Heather Hughes-Emily Day and competed for the qualifying berth. The former duo proved to be better and settled for victory. The match decision was out in only 35 minutes. Hughes and Day failed to
cope with the power of compatriots and lost the match in straight sets. The final scores were 2-0 (21-15, 23-21).
Akers and Hochevar had a plenty of experience, which helped the team to take a solid start in the match. They built a good momentum and showed remarkable consistency in attack and defence. Hughes-Day trailed behind and dropped the opening frame with a margin
of six points.
Akers-Hochevar continued with success in the following set. They did not slow down and hit mighty shots. Hughes-Day resisted in full force and counter attacked. They gave a good competition to opponents in the second set, but still failed to avoid the loss.
Final victory graced Akers-Hochevar as they closed the second set with better points.
“It is really important to establish being aggressive and to get on the attack. We wanted to go on the attack and get them on their heels because when you’re on your heels you can’t be as aggressive and that is why we wanted to attack and push them back,”
said Akers.
Hochevar said: “You just try to live another day. It is absolute dog fight in the country quota and there is no ideal match. All I know right now is I am better than I was yesterday and hopefully tomorrow I am better than I was today. That is the goal.”
After winning the Playoffs, the American duo has high hopes to do well in the next stage of the tournament.
In addition to the US Country Quota Playoffs, the tournament also featured the CQs for Brazilian and German duos. Successful teams of the Playoffs advanced to the Qualification Tournament, which is set to take place on Wednesday. After the completion of
qualifying round, the tournament will enter 32-team Main Draw stage. Teams with better results will survive up till the Final Round of the Smart Grand Slam Berlin. The competition will be closed with the final four matches on coming Sunday, July 15. Eventually,
the top team of the tournament will capture the spotlight. The winners will take away the prize money of $300,000.
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