VTAW - 2012 VTV CUP - Game 1 v Vietnam - Match Report
Australian Womens Team - VTV CUP - Vietnam
16/07/2012
Match 1 – AUS vs VIE
After a lengthy opening ceremony where teams had to stand up for the countless number of speeches and presentations, the two teams were ready to battle. However the 30 minutes warm up protocol was cut to 20 minutes to fit in with the TV schedule.
Set 1 – Sloane, Rourke, Godfrey, Day, Orchard (C), Carey, Choat(L)
A couple of quick kills through the middle by Carey and Godfrey gave the Aussies a reasonable start. Vietnam replied with a series of kills of their own to quickly raced to a 6-2 lead. Rourke with a string of thunder bolt serves, two of which were aces and the rest were pretty much unplayable, got the Aussies to level terms. And a Day's kill down the line sent the Aussies to the first technical time out 8-7 in front. However a rash of errors by Australia and some great hitting by the Vietnamese saw them won 9 points in the row and went into the second technical time out 16-8 ahead. A couple of great blocks by Carey and some big spikes by Rourke towards the end of the first set to no avail. Vietnam took the first set comfortably 25-13.
Set 2 – Day, Skipper, Carey, Hand, Rourke, Godfrey, Choat(L)
The second set started very much similar to the first. Vietnam skipped to an early lead then Rourke pegged them back with her powerful serves. This time Vietnam went in the first TTO 8-6 up. Vietnam then unleashed a string of powerful hits from all angles to race to a 16-8 lead at the second TTO. Osadchuk with a couple of good blocks and Rachel Rourke thrilled a large crowd with some thunderbolts but Vietnam took the second set 25-13.
Set 3 – Sloane, Day, Osadchuk, Rourke, Orchard©, Carey, Choat(L)
An even start to the third set. The Aussies came out playing a lot better and was able to minimise Vietnam winners with better formed blocks. However our hitting errors gave Vietnam a comfortable lead going into the second TTO at 16-12. The momentum started to swing Australia when they won 4 points in a row to close the gap to just one point at 16-17. A very sporting Vietnamese crowd started to cheer the Aussies on. However Vietnam skipped away once again with some great hitting and eventually took the set 25-20 and the match 3-0.
Statistics
Serving: 6 aces, 4 errors - Rourke 4 aces
Passing: 2.22 (53% perfect) - Rourke 2.38 (53%) - Day 2.29 (64) - Orchard 2.23 (61%)
Blocking: 6 kills - Osadchuk 3 kills – Carey 2 kills
Hitting: 28 kills/21 errors at 8% - Rourke 12 kills/3 errors at 35%
