Ankara, Turkey, August 12, 2015 – The favourites from China, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Turkey kicked off their 2015 FIVB Volleyball U23 Women’s World Championship campaign with convincing wins in Turkey’s capital Ankara on Wednesday. Japan and Italy were the other two winners on day 1.
Titleholder China defeated Thailand 3-1 (25-27, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23) in Pool B. The game uncovered after the first set where China made a comeback regaining control and dominating the second and third set however, both teams fought tensely on the fourth set which led to China winning.
2013 runners-up Dominican Republic defeated Peru 3-1 (25-21, 25-17, 23-25, 25-17). Dominican Republic captain Martinez contributed to her team by 23 points and Pena helped with 21 points. Peru had their best moments in the third set.
Home team Turkey triumphed over Egypt without a considerable effort (25-10, 25-17, 25-13). Turkey's Meliha Ismailoglu (12), Hande Baladin (11) and Ezgi Dagdelenler (11) led their team to victory by collecting 34 points in total.
In Pool A, Brazil swept Colombia in straight sets (25-15, 25-15, 25-18) in their opening match. The young Colombians did their best to stop their opponents but could not cope with the power and speed the Brazilians displayed on Wednesday afternoon in Ankara’s Arena Hall.
Italy started their operation with a straight-set (25-23, 25-20, 25-19) win over Bulgaria. The East Europeans had their best moments in the first period but were not consistent enough to win a set against the powerful Italians. Italy’s captain Sofia D’Odorico led the South Europeans to a well-deserved 3-0 win.
In Wednesday’s last match at Ankara Arena, Japan thundered past Cuba in straight sets (25-26, 25-10, 25-20). The young Cubans found no solutions to stop the outstanding Asian offense.
Schedule for Thursday (local time)
14:00: PER v THA / BUL v COL
16:30: BRA v EGY / DOM v CUB
19:00: TUR v ITA / CHN v JPN
Top Scorer by Day
23- Li Yao of China v Thailand on August 12
23- Martinez Brayelin Elizabeth of Dominican Republic v Peru on August 12
Top Scoring Performances
23- Li Yao of China v Thailand on August 12
23- Martinez Brayelin Elizabeth of Dominican Republic v Peru on August 12
Top Individual Serving Performances
4- Nakata Shino of Japan v Cuba on August 12
4- Shirai Misaki of Japan v Cuba on August 12
4- Baladin Hande of Turkey v Egypt on August 12
Top Team Serving Performances
10- Japan v Cuba on August 10
Top Individual Blocking Performances
5- Aguilera of Cuba v Japan on August 12
Top Team Blocking Performances
10- Italy v Bulgaria on August 12
Highest Scoring Sets
27-25 Thailand v China (1st set) on August 12
Highest Scoring Matches
190- China v Thailand 3-1 (25-27, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23) on August 12