Game 2 v Egypt – Match Report

Abu Dhabi International Women’s Volleyball Tournament
Australia v Egypt
May 22, 2008

Set 1 – 21-25
Set 2 – 23-25
Set 3 – 21-25

Set 1
Maycock, Peacock, Brammer, Rourke, West, Lealamanua, Brett (L)

Australia win the toss and elect to serve. Egypt side out with a kill through the middle, and Brammer returns fire for Australia’s side out. Big kill to Rourke from 4 levels the game at 2-2. West shows her form with a quick kill through the middle, and goes back to serve 2 aces, Australia 5-3. Australia out to 6-5 now thanks to Peacock from position 2. The Aussie’s are passing better this game and Maycock is finding Lealamanua ready for the side hits. Australia lead 8-7 at the first technical timeout. The Australians surge forward thanks to errors from the opposition, but they Egyptians manage to keep in touch with the Australians, now 13-13 as Coach Amanda Fielding calls for a time out. Teams are trading side outs now, 14-14, 15-15 as Egypt’s tips seem to catch the Aussie’s off guard, but Maycock catches the last one with a block to take Australia to the second techincal time out out 16-15. Egypt again in the lead, as the Australian’s attack keeps missing the mark too long, 20-19. An ace to Maycock evens up the scores again 20-20, as Egypt calls a time out. The loud Egyptian crowd are lifting their side as they come up with the first match point 24-21. And they win the set off an attack error from Australia, 25-21.

Set 2
Bertolacci, Bates, West, Peacock, Rourke, Lealamanua, Brett (L)

Starting this set, Setter Lauren Bertolacci connects well with Rachel Rourke on the outside to set up 3 straight kills, and to catch up to the Egyptians after being down 1-3. The score 5-5, Australia winning points from their power and the opposition scoring off Australian overpasses. Egypt lead at the first techincal time out 8-6. The Australian’s struggle with the serve reception, and the Egyptian front line are always ready to kill anything at the net. Australia calls for a time out 8-13 down. Awesome block by Tara West helps to lift the Australians, 10-14, and a big transition kill from Rourke gives them another point, 11-14. And Rourke again on the outside 12-14. Rourke is finding the opposition’s floor now. Ace by West and Australia are now back to within 1 point, 13-14. The Australian’s defence has woken up now as they are covering ready for the tip past the big Australian block. Peacock with a kill from 2, and then a service ace ties up the scores at 15-15. A great rally from both side, exchanging hard hits, but it’s Egypt that wins it and leads 16-15 at the second technical time out. Bertolacci with the setters dump and finding her middles helps Australia back into the lead 19-18. One point up, the next point down, Australia, simple errors are hurting the Australian’s as they need to control the play for a run of points. Egypt are in the lead 23-22, Australian time out. Brammer subs in for Rourke. The spike goes too wide to give Egypt set point, and an overpass kill gives them the set 25-23.

Set 3
Maycock, Peacock, Mowen, Rourke, West, Brammer, Brett (L)

It seems that the court is too short on one end, and the Australian’s attack is just too long. The errors give Egypt the lead at the first technical time out 8-4, as the Australians regroup to win a few points back, 6-8. The Australian’s seem too tense to enjoy the game, and more errors in attack let the Egypt team creep away. Australia find themselves down 10-14. Bertolacci subs in for Maycock, connecting with West straight away. Australia now 11-15. Mowen with the stuff block gives Australia 12 points. Side out to Egypt, they lead 16-12 at the second technical time out. Mowen with the C quick kill and then another stuff block, followed by the slide kill, and Australia are back to within 1 point, 15-16. Score is now 18-16 to Egypt, as Jenny Day subs in for Rourke. Justine Mowen is definately the highlight for the Australians in this set, but not to be outdone, Tara West wants a piece of the action. Between them the girls have won the last 5 points for the Australians through the middle. Scores are leveled at 21-21, and again the Egyptian team jump away, now up 23-21 as Australia call for a time out. Egypt get to match point, but it is saved by an off pace kill from Jenny Day. Still with match point, Egypt wipes the spike off the Australian block to win 25-21.