Callao, Peru, August 11, 2015 . Italy improved to a 4-0 record in Pool D FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship by defeating Japan in consecutive sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 35-33) at Miguel Grau on Tuesday.
The difference in the match resided in the attacks with the Italians scoring with 48 spikes compared to 42 by Japan. The winners held slight advantages in blocks (14-5).
Paola Egonu led Italia with 24 points, including two aces, followed by the setter Alessia Orro with 11 points in the victory. For the defeated side, Miyu Nakagawa scored 21 while Ai Kurogo finished with 20 points.The initial part of the game was an amazing clash between the powerful spikes of Italy and Japanese perseverance. The currently Italian and tournament´s best spiker Paola Egonu showed a mixture of strength and subtlety to close the first set 25-22.
Japan took some risks but made some mistakes on serve and the Europeans remained in control for a second set25- 20 with great work from their captain Vittoria Piani.
Encouraged by the crowd, Japan led the beggining of the final set 8-3 taking advantage of opponent's mistakes, kept in control 16-15 and 23-20.However, with Egonu and Orro at the net Italy changed the history and closed the longest set of the tournament 35-33.
On the other hand, Argentina was in the arena taking notes and analyzing Italy, their opponent for the Round of 16.