Italian players celebrate their ticket to the semifinals
Gurabo, Puerto Rico, September 17, 2015 – Italy clinched a berth in the semifinals at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship by pulling a convincing 3-0 (25-18, 26-24, 25-15) victory over Russia on Thursday.
Paola Egonu led Italy with 14 points, including two blocks and two aces, while Eliza Zanette added nine points, with four blocks. Anna Lazareva was the best Russian scorer with 14 points.
Italy outscored Russia in blocks 13-5 while committing 13 errors compared to 23 by the Russian team.
Russia led 8-6 in the first set when Iurinskaia and Sperskaite landed spikes to break a tied score at 6-all but Italy bounced back and was in front 16-14 at the second technical time-out. The attacks and blocks by Bonifacio and Zanette clinched the set for Italy 25-18.
Italy led 8-6 in the second set but Lazareva scored consecutive spikes to even the score at 8-8. Strong serves by Egonu combined with the smart attacks by Cambi and D’Odorico contributed to a 16-12 score in favor of Italy but Russia recovered to tie at 18-all behind Lazareva. Trailing 23-24, Egonu scored with thundering spike and ace and Guerra closed at 26-24 with a soft spike off the Russian block.
Russia led 8-5 and 10-5 but Italy came back to take the lead 11-10 behind the effective serves of Egonu. Italy led 16-12 at the second TTO with D’Odorico leading the way. Italy won nine of the next twelve points with Orro capping the actions with one ace for the win 25-15.