Volleyball Update: Korea and Italy clinch victory in the FIVB Women’s World Championship openers
The 16th edition of the FIVB Women’s World Championship started off yesterday on 29th October, 2010. The championship began with the first-round matches in four different cities of Japan and three matches were played in each pool. The
women’s squad from South Korea and Italy performed well and remained successful. The Korean team is placed in Pool D, along with Russia, Turkey, China, Canada and Dominicans. The first match of the tournament brought them in front of Canadian team. Korea sparked
on the scene and defeated the Canadian team in straight sets. Quite similarly, Italy outplayed Puerto Rico in Pool B and opened the tournament on a good note.
Korea vs. Canada 3-0 (25-19, 25-19 25-14)
The Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium hosted the match after mid-day. The 24th ranked Canadian side had younger players, while Korea got a perfect chance to easily overpower them. Korea’s team was well organised and they had experienced players
on their side. There was no player in Canada’s team who had a World Championship experience. Nonetheless, they fought bravely and enjoyed the international exposure.
Korea opened the first set of the game with huge impact. They produced commanding serves and earned consecutive points. Korea had a very strong defence, which saved them from any unpleasant feelings. Canada couldn’t stay in the way of Korea and failed to
pose a threat on Korea. The good attack and nice defensive work enabled them to build a lead in the early phase of the game. Korean continued in same style and claimed the first set at 25-19.
Song Yi Han of Korea received huge applause from fans on account of her valiant effort to bring success for her team. After dropping the first set, Canada tried to make a come-back. The team put a combined effort and helped their score. The second set game
progressed with a close difference of points. Both teams traded the lead at regularly. The situation remained undecided up till the second technical timeout. Ultimately, Korean hitters smashed nice volleys and pushed Canada behind. Korea pulled off victory
in second set by repeating the same score of 25-19.
The third decisive set started with strong attack from both sides. Canadian team was trying to save the game, while Korea struggled to put an end to it. Korea picked up lead by hitting 6-5. After that, the Korean squad availed every opportunity to score
points and covered the length of third set. Canada failed to stand the deadly spikes of Korean players and lost the third set 14-25.
Youn-Joo was the top-scorer in Korean team with 19 points, while her teammate Yeon-Koung Kim chipped in with 14. Left-hander Sarah Pavan scored 16 points for Canada.
Italy vs. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-20, 25-11, and 25-18)
In the Pool B competitions, Italy came across Puerto Rico. The match was played in Hamamatsu, Japan on Friday afternoon. Italy came strong on Puerto Rican ‘force’ and ousted them in three sets.
The first of the game was a see-saw battle. The match was opened with flawless serves from both sides. Italy attacked from back court but Puerto Rican players were in unique receiving style. They defended their position very well and stole points from Italy.
However, Italy demonstrated wonderful game in the latter half of the first set and clinched success at 25-20.
The second set of the game was totally overwhelmed by Italy. They produced point-scoring shots which devastated Puerto Rican defence line and Italy paved its way to victory in second set. The Italians showed their bright performance to the world and also
captured third set and declared match victory.
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