Game 5 v France – Match Report

Abu Dhabi International Women’s Volleyball Tournament
Australia v France
May 26, 2008

Set 1 – 19-25
Set 2 – 28-30
Set 3 – 24-26

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

There is a delay in play before the game even starts, as there seems to be a problem with the French teams line up or team list. Both teams are back on the court keeping warm by peppering, while the Officials sort of the problem. Play is underway now, as the French jump out to a 3-0 lead, but Australia win the side out thanks to a backrow kill from Rourke. The Australian’s look tired in their play as the French lead 8-2 at the technical time out. Struggling to pass the short serve and attack hits that are just too long or with not enough pace to kill the ball. Jenny Day subs in for Brammer. Great hit from Rourke, Australia get to 3-8. A string of points to the Australians and they seem to have perked up, now trail by 3 points, 8-11. Mowen with the overpass kill, its 9-11. Now the Australian’s are finding some form, big hits from West and Peacock, and a great block by Maycock reading the tip perfectly from the French. But they find themselves still trailing the French, down 11-16 at the technical time out. France serve 4 points in a row and now lead 20-11 before Australia manages to side out through a quick kill to Mowen. Points now to Australia, a tip kill by Maycock, great control blocking from West and errors by the French, 16-22 and the French coach calls for a time out. Peacock with the kill from backrow, and Maycock with the kill block, Australia now 19-23. But the French team return fire with a kill from 2, and win the set with a service ace, 25-19.

Set 2
Maycock, Peacock, Rourke, Watt, West, Mowen, Brett (L)

Being down 1-3 in the start, the Australias block has brought them back in this game, as Tara West is making this her set. Two kill blocks, two spike kills and a number of controlled block touches, she is all over the net. Australia have the lead 7-5. Side out to France, but a stuff block by Mayock on the quick ball and Australia lead 8-6 at the technical time out. The Australian’s are still having problems with the serve recieve, the French have now hit the lead, and are up 14-10, as Australia calls for a time out. France still lead at the second tecnical time out, 16-11. West comes back into the front line for Australia and again lifts the Australia girls, organising the block and hitting winners. Australia have caught up now, 15-17 as the French call for a time out. But just as they catch up, the French seem to find a way surge away from the Australians. Aussie’s call for a time out 22-19 down. And the next three points all go Australia’s way, a hige stuff blovk by Watt and an ace by Peacock, its 22-22, France time out. Australian’s are fired up now, its 23-23, now 24-24 as its the French team are making simple errors. The teams still trade side outs, 25-25, 26-26, Australia get the point break and set point at 27-26, but they are aced by the French team. Still in it and some great play from the Aussies, huge solo block by Watt, 27-27, 28-28, but in the end it is the French that win the set 30-28.

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

The Australian’s continue their great form from the end of the second set, they lead 5-3 early in the third set. Kill Block by Mowen and followed by the tip kill, and the Australian’s still lead 6-4. Thanks to a West C Quick kill, at the first technical time out, Australia are in the lead 8-7. A few simple errors hurt the Australian’s, and they are still in this set, but are trailling the French 13-16 at the technical time out. Watt hits a great ball past the block down the line from 4 which fires the Aussie’s up. They now trail 15-17 to the French. Rourke with the hug kill from 4, West with the stuff block, Aussies back to with in 1 point 18-19. France time out, at 20-19. France now out to 22-19, Australia calls a time out. They side out and get to 20 points, and service error Australia, France are 23-20. Net touch by France, and then stuff block by Mowen, Australia are 22-23. Setters tip to France brings up set and match point for the French, 24-22….saved by Rourke, wipe off the block. Australia gets the score back to 24-24. But again it’s the French who finish it off and win the third set 26-24.