Game 3 v Algeria – Match Report

Abu Dhabi International Women’s Volleyball Tournament

Australia v Algeria

May 23, 2008

Set 1 – 11-25
Set 2 – 13-25
Set 3 – 23-25

Set 1
Maycock, Mowen, Rourke, Brammer, Lealamanau, Peacock, Brett (L)

Algeria are out to a 5-0 lead in this first set, as the Australian’s find it hard to get a pass to their setter. Australia call for a time out. First point to Australia thanks to a C Kill to Mowen. Block to Peacock gives Australia their second point. Algeria lead 8-2 at the first technical time out, as again the Australian’s struggle to recieve the serve. Bertolacci subs in for Maycock. Better play from the Australian’s this game, as the find form with their blocking, but their hits are still just too long. Big kill from Rourke in 4 gives Australia 4-10. And two errors from the Algerians, and Australia are now 6-10 behind. Peacock hits a kill from 2 and then aces the Algerians, its 8-13. Algerian rally back now to win the next 3 points, and lead 16-8 at the second technical time out. Jenny Day subs in for Rourke as the Australians now find themselves down 9-19. Great blocking joust from Bertolacci, but the Algerians have the Australian’s scrambling all over the court. A controlled block by Mowen and then a tip from Brammer helps Australia get to 11 points. Algeria bring up set point with a swipe off the Australian block and finish the set with an ace. Algeria win 25-11.

Set 2
Bertolacci, Brammer, Peacock, Mowen, Watt, Lealamanau, Brett (L)

The Australians seem a bit more relaxed this set, and are keeping in touch with the Algerians. Watt’s first touch of the ball is a kill from 2. Algeria run away with it set again, now lead 8-4 at te technical time out, as the Australian’s defence is becoming a little more desperate, but the simple errors are letting them down. The Algerians are fast around the court and manage to touch everything the Australian’s hit at them. They now lead 12-5. A kill by Watt gives the serve back to Australia, West subs in for Lealamanau. Another kill by Watt and some good touches from Mowen when blocking, bring Australia closer to the oppoisition, but Algeria still lead, now 16-9 at the second technical timeout. Jenny Day subs in for Brammer. The Aussies seem more confident in their play, trading side outs with the Algerians, but the oppositions spikers are just too smart, finding the Australian’s court everytime. Algeria are up 23-13 now as they stuff block Day in 4 and a tip gives them set point. The finish it off with a fast kill from 4 and take the set 25-13.

Set 3
Bertolacci, Peacock, West, Day, Watt, Mowen, Brett (L)

Australia have the lead early in this set 4-2, great blocking by Mowen and spiking from Peacock. Double sub from Australian, Maycock in Watt and Bates in for Betolacci, to bring some blocking height into the front court. Australia still in in, 5-5, 6-6. And the Australian’s block is helping them now, two stuff blocks in a row and Australia lead 8-6 at the technical time out. Australia stil hold the lead, 10-8, but as the errors creep in, Algeria level up the scores at 10-10. Teams again trade side outs, 11-11, 12-12, but the Australians definately seem more in control of their game. Keeping it level all the way to the second technical time out, but it is the Algerians who are now in the lead 16-15. Australia grab the lead at 18-17 thanks to Peacock kill and stuff block from Tara West. Score are leveled again 20-20 as Maycock goes back to serve, and Peaock with the overpass kill gives Australia 21-20. The Algerians though come back and whilst the Australian’s are playing the best volleyball so far this tournament, again a few too many errors hurt them and the Algerian’s win the third set 25-23.