Press release

  Ankara, Turkey, August 18, 2011- An inspired Slovakia rebounded back twice from one set behind to win a thriller five setter 3-2 (18-25, 25-17, 16-25, 25-17, 17-15) over the highly spirited Thailand at FIVB Girls Youth World Championship Pool G match in Ankara Arena, Turkey on Thursday.

FIVB Volleyball Girls' Youth World Championship

 The vision of the Slovakia setter and Captain Barbora Kosekova and precise spiking of the opposite Nikola Pistelakova and the outside hitter Miroslava Rehakova found gaps in the Thailand defense as the match progressed.

 This victory improved Slovakia's win-loss record in the second round of the tournament to 2-1 to fight for the 9 to 12 positions, while Thailand suffered fall in record to 1-2 and with third place in Pool G will able to fight only for last 13-16 places of the championship.

 Spike from Slovakian Nikola Pistelakova opened the match but in the following minutes Thailand made five points run to reach 5-1. Slovakia tried to resist Thai pressure and tried to catch up so the first technical timeout came with minimum Thai lead 8-7. After the break, fight continued and Thailand team with better reception continued to be ahead 20-15. On the last minutes of this set Slovakia tried to increase own influence on the court but hits by Kuttika Kaewin served their purpose and Thai team won this set 25-18.

The second set began with more aggressive play by Slovakia, what resulted in tougher rallies on the court and closer count, 8-7 Thai lead at the first TTO. But Slovakia managed to improve their game and with more pressure on Thailand they lead at the STT 16-10. Slovakian more precise hits from Miroslava Rehakova and Pistelakova gained the victory of this set 25-17.

 Tight rallies and close scores, 9-9 started the third set. Then Tanaporn Polrueng's and Ajcharaporn Kangyot's successful spikes helped Thailand to lead in the STT 16-11. Same situation was kept until the end of this set and with one more hit by Polrueng Thai team won 25-16.

 In the fourth set Slovakia again started to lead on the court, 8-5. Their dominance on the court with continuing attacks by Pistelakova and Rehakova kept throughout the set. Slovakia won the forth set 25-17.

The tiebreak started with maximum tension on the court. Thrilling rallies preceded almost every point. Block by Slovakian Nikola Stumpelova did not allow Thai spikers to hit their side. However neither of teams could run forward, the FTT came with 8-7 Thai lead. And only with final spike by Slovakia the tension of match was ended, Slovakia won 17-15.