MATCH INFO

 Ankara, Turkey, August 13, 2011- The Favorites China sailed past Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-22, 25-18, 25-11) for their second win in first round pool C of the 2011 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship at Baskent Hall in Ankara, Turkey on Saturday.

FIVB Volleyball Girls' Youth World Championship

 After suffering second set heartache against the high spirited Puerto Rican Girls China went to the second straight sets victory in the competition improving their win- loss to 2-0, while Puerto Rico dropped to 0-2.

 China’s attacker Ningya Tang was her team best scorer (12 pts) while Puerto Rico Captain Daly Santana scored 10 points to top her team scorers.
 
 The 13th world Ranked China lead Pool C with 4 points and become near the top eight second round berth, while the 21st Puerto Rico will now play for the 9 to 16 brackets. 

 The match started with a tight fight over the dominance on the court. But the higher techniques of Chinese team allowed them to go into the first technical timeout with 8-3 lead. Stephanie Massanet made two successful spikes but it was not enough to resist Chinese attacks so teams went to the STT with China's lead 16-6.

 With Daly Santana's aces the Puerto-Rico gained some points and improved team's psychology. So pressure by Puerto-Rico on Chinese team increased as well. On the last minutes of this set aces from Marie Victoria and spikes from team captain Daly Santana made the Puerto Rican success almost possible, but China won this set in a tough fight 25-22.

The second set started with Ningya Tang's spike but the initiative immediately was taken by Puerto Rico. Chinese team increased the number of spikes while Puerto Rico continued their pressure. The set continued in such a balanced manner until the FTT - teams went into the first bread with Chinese 8-7 lead.

 Then China made a 3-0 run until 11-7, when the tension on the court appeared again. Ruoya Xu was consistent with her spikes what also helped China to go into the STT 16-11 ahead and continue to increase the gap between teams. Despite all efforts, brave struggle and successful attacks made by Puerto Rico, China won this set, 25-18.

 The third set started with no less tension, and China had to fight with great effort for each point. Spikes from Massanet could not equally challenge Chinese team, who was more prominent on the court. They went into the FTT with 8-4 advantage and go on to maintain constant pressure on Puerto Rico. Ting Zhu's and Xu's powerful attacks had own influence on this set. But it was not only attack but also good reception and setting that allowed China to have a lead at the STT China, 16-7.
 
Until the last minutes of the match Puerto Rico did their best to fight China, but they proved to be a too strong opponent in this match. China defeated Puerto Rico in this set with a big point deficit 25-11 and won the whole match.