Press release
Puerto Rico overpower Algeria by Santana’s gun
Puerto Rico celebrating the victory against Algeria in Pool H at Arena Hall
Ankara, Turkey, August 18, 2011- After suffering two narrow defeats against Mexico and Italy in Pool H of the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship, World No. 21 Puerto Rico rebounded with an impressive straight-sets (25-15, 25-15, 25-21) win against world No.17 Algeria in Ankara Arena, Turkey on Thursday.
FIVB Volleyball Girls' Youth World Championship
Puerto Rico improved their win- loss record in Pool H to 1-2 to finish third and take on Egypt in the play off 13 to 16 positions. Algeria dropped to 0-3 to finish at the bottom of the pool and meet Thailand in the same frame next Saturday.
Puerto Rico big gun Daly Santana was the key player in the victory not only as the match scorer with 19 points which constitutes 25 % of her team, but also with her leadership and the motivation she gave to her teammate throughout the match. The most successful player in Algeria's team was Sara Belhocine who scored 9 points.
The first technical timeout came with having better attacks Puerto Rico's lead 8-6. Toward the second TTO advantage still remained on Puerto Rico's side, 16-11. The last minutes passed in the same manner, Puerto Rico won this set 25-15.
The second set started with bigger tension. Algeria led in the beginning 5-3. But with spikes from Mexico's Marie Victoria her team was able to catch up, 8-6. However Puerto Rico was able to maintain own dominance in the following part of the set, increasing the gap toward the end, 22-15.
The third set started with equal play 5-5, but problems with passes and reception in Algerian team did not let them go ahead, Puerto Rico led 10-8. In this set together with Santana and Victoria the tallest player from Puerto Rico played an important role in their success. But in the middle of the set Algeria managed to catch up and the second technical timeout came with only minimum lead by Puerto Rico, 16-15.
Until the last minutes, teams kept tough fight on the court. Algerian spiker Merwa Achour and Belhocine tried to maintain attacks as successful as Puerto Rico's. But with better reception and 16 successful attacks from Santana, Puerto Rico won this match by pulling through the last set 25-21.
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