Ankara, Turkey, August 14, 2015 – Italy improved their win-loss record to 2-1 by downing Colombia 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-21) on Friday afternoon. Colombia had their best moments at the end of the second and in the beginning of the third set but couldn’t pull through. The South Americans remain winless after the third competition day of the 2015 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U23 World Championship in Ankara, Turkey.
Colombia’s Amanda was the top scorer of the match with 16 kills. Three Italian players led the squadra azzurra: captain Sofia Bonifacio, Anna Danesi and Elisa Zanette scored twelve points each. Italy had the edge in serving (4-1) and blocking (12-6).
With fives block kills and two aces, Italy quickly found their rhythm in the opening set. Middle blocker Anna Danesi (six points in the first period) led the South Europeans to a comfortable 16-11 lead at the first technical timeout. The Colombian side, on the order hand, struggled with passing. After 22 minutes, the Azzurrine sealed 25-19 set win with a quick combination at the net.
Colombia had their best moments in the second part of the second set. 7-16 down, the team of coach Eduardo Guillaume bounced back bravely to turn the tables at 21-20. Yeisy Soto (six points) and Amanda (seven) powered the yellow-and-blacks back into the competition. However, it was not good enough. Elisa Zanette kept cool to finish the second set 26-24 in Italy’s favour.
Even though Colombia still played well in the beginning of the third set, Italy kept the upper hand during the crucial moments of the set. Alice Carlotta ended the third set 25-21 and the match 3-0.