Brazil had to feel the taste of failure first time this World Grand Prix edition . “Canarinhos” recognized the superiority of Bulgaria after four sets match and lost 7th place in standings at the expense of Bulgaria. Second Saturday’s game was not so surprising. Dominican Republic did not allow Puerto Rico to rebirth after 5 loses in a row winning in stright sets.
Brazil – Bulgaria 1 – 3 (22-25, 21-25, 25-20, 21-25)
Brazil: Dani Lins, Gabi 8, Fabiana 13, Sheilla 0, Fe Garay 18, Juciely 11, Brait (L) and Monique 12, Thaisa 3, Daroit 2, Pavao
Bulgaria: Kitipova 7, Vasileva13, Ruseva 10, E. Nikolova 12, Rabadzhieva 16, S. Filipova 14, M. Filipova (L) and Zarkova, Nenova, D. Nikolova, Karakasheva
Bulgaria started the first set with some defensive issues that allowed Brazil to lead 8-5 at the first technical time out. A block and spike from Bulgarian captain Strashimira Filipova helped tie the scores at 9-9, after which it was a battle for supremacy. The underdogs prevailed when Emiliya Nikolova clinched the set with an amazing block on Sheilla Castro.
The second set continued with intense plays from both teams until a surprise attack from setter Lora Kitipova gave Bulgaria a one-point advantage at the second TTO. A bomb from Rabadzhieva sealed the second set and Bulgaria were 2-0 up.
Brazil turned the tables in the third set after improving their block and spikes and were three points up at the second TTO. Brazil’s Priscila Daroit led the way as Brazil took the set 25-20.
Thaisa Menezes come off the bench for the fourth set as Brazil tried to keep up the momentum of the third set, but Bulgaria controlled their reception well to hold on for a historic victory.
Fernanda Garay of Brazil was the top scorer in the match with 18 points while Bulgaria were led by Dobriana Rabadzhieva with 16 points. Bulgaria had the advantage in blocking points (14-12) while the Brazilians outserved their opponents 7-4.
Team Stats:
ActionsSpike pointsSpike %BlockServeDigReceptionSets noteUnforced ErrorsBrazil5038%1274444%6.2523Bulgaria5442%1444640%2.520
Team Leaders:
Actions/PlayersPointsSpike pointsSpike %Spike errorsBlockServeUnforced ErrorsFernanda Garay181437%5216Dobriana Rabadzhieva161337%3216
Dominican Rep. – Puerto Rico 3 – 0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-20)
Dominican Republic: Echenique, Rivera 7, Vargas 11, De La Cruz 18, Rodriguez 0, Fresola 6, Castillo (L) and Marte 3, Mambru 6, Binet
Puerto Rico: Valentin 2, K. Ocasio 9, S. Ocasio 9, Rosa 7, Ruiz 8, Morales 7, Venegas (L) and Nogueras, Reyes, Quesada
The result raised the Dominicans’ record in the World Grand Prix to 3-2 for nine points, while Puerto Rico suffered their fifth straight loss and remain without a point. Puerto Rico’s last win in the World Grand Prix came against the Dominican Republic in last year’s tournament.
The first set saw a very defensive Puerto Rico pull ahead by a point at the first technical timeout in a tight contest. Blocks and spikes by Vargas and De la Cruz saw the Dominican Republic to a two-point advantage at the second technical time out. Consecutive errors from Puerto Rico allowed their opponents to finish off the set 25-22.
The Dominicans showed their serving power in the second set but the Puerto Rican duo of Ocasio and captain Yarimar Rosa helped tie the scores at 18. Puerto Rico turned up the heat and moved into a 23-20 lead, but the Dominican Republic brought in setter Niverka Marte to change the game flow. Errors from the hosts allowed the Dominicans to overturn the lead and take the set 25-23.
For the third set, Ania Ruiz of Puerto Rico blocked Pricilla Rivera to wake up the crowd at the Palacio de Recreación y Deportes, but the Dominican Republic answered back with good blocks to move two points ahead at the second TTO. They kept the advantage and took the third set 25-20.
Bethania De la Cruz of the Dominican Republic was the highest scorer in the match with 18 points, while teammate Annerys Vargas scored 11, including eight blocks. Puerto Rico’s Karina Ocasio and Lynda Morales each scored nine points.
Team Stats:
ActionsSpike pointsSpike %BlockServeDigReceptionSets noteUnforced ErrorsDominican Rep.3429%1435244%5.6723Puerto Rico3227%825251%9.3324
Team Leaders:
Actions/PlayersPointsSpike pointsSpike %Spike errorsBlockServeUnforced ErrorsBethania De La Cruz181429%3136Karina Ocasio9728%6117
Descriptions: FIVB
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