Ankara, Turkey, August 14, 2015 – After three competition days, hosts Turkey and the Dominican Republic remain the only two unbeaten teams at 2015 FIVB Volleyball U23 Women’s World Championship in Ankara (Turkey). Hosts Turkey continued their winning streak with a 3-0 triumph against Brazil while the Dominican Republic saw off titleholder China in straight sets as well in Pool B’s top clash on Friday evening.
In front of 2’700 enthusiastic fans at Baskent Sports Hall in Ankara, hosts Turkey outplayed Brazil in the top match of Pool A 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-14). Kubra Akman surprised the South American side with 18 points, including five block winners. Turkey made the difference with 17-4 blocks and only eleven errors.
The Dominican Republic added another victory to their records by defeating titleholders China 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 to remain unbeaten at 2015 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U23 World Championship. Their strong offense was the key for the Caribbean in Friday’s top duel of Pool B.
Italy have 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 in Ankara.
Bulgaria blanked Egypt in straight sets 25-16, 25-18, 25-15 as well. The East Europeans controlled all aspects of the match to secure their second win in Pool A. Mira Todorova led Bulgaria with 16 points.
Earlier on Friday, Peru crushed Cuba 25-9, 25-10, 25-22. Peru made the most out of a weak defence and reception portrayed by Cuba where Peru player Coraima Gomez became the most scorer of the game with eleven points. It was Peru’s first triumph at the Women’s U23 world champs.
A spectacular attack and defence show was displayed in Friday’s first Pool B game between Japan and Thailand where Japan won in straight sets 25-20, 25-23, 25-15 to recover from Thursday’s loss against China. Japan have improved their record to 2-1, Thailand drop to 1-2.
The 2015 FIVB Volleyball U23 Women’s World Championship continue on Saturday with the fourth competition day.
Schedule for August 15 (local time)
14:00: CUB v THA / COL v EGY
16:30: CHN v PER / BRA v ITA
19:00: TUR v BUL / JPN v DOM
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
19- Kokram Pimpichaya of Thailand v Peru on August 13
18- Kubra Akman of Turkey v Brazil on August 14
18- Arisa Inoue of Japan v Thailand on August 14
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
4- Shirai Misaki of Japan v China on August 13
4- Inoue Arisa of Japan v Thailand on August 14
Top Team Serving Performances
10- Japan v Cuba on August 12
9- Japan v Thailand on August 14
Top Individual Blocking Performances
5- Aguilera of Cuba v Japan on August 12
5- Chen Xintong of China v Japan on August 13
5- Sara Bonifacio of Italy v Colombia on August 14
5- Anna Danesi of Italy v Colombia on August 14
5- Mira Todorova of Bulgaria v Egypt on August 14
5- Kubra Akman of Turkey v Brazil on August 14
Top Team Blocking Performances
17- Turkey v Brazil on August 14
14- China v Japan on August 13
12- Dominican Republic v Cuba on August 13
12- Peru v Thailand on August 13
12- Italy v Turkey on August 13
12- Italy v Colombia on August 14
Highest Scoring Sets
30-28 Bulgaria v Colombia (3rd set) on August 13
27-25 Thailand v China (1st set) on August 12
27-25 China v Japan (4th set) on August 13
Highest Scoring Matches
190- China v Thailand 3-1 (25-27, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23) on August 12
188- China v Japan 3-1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 27-25) on August 13