Paola Egonu scored 28 points to lead Italy to the semifinals
Lima, Peru, August 14, 2015 – Paola Egonu blasted 28 points to lead Italy to a quarterfinal victory 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-17) over Serbia at the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship at Eduardo Dibos Coliseum of Lima on Friday.
It was a sensational all-around performance for the athletic Egonu whose production included five blocks and two aces.
Three other Italians – Alessia Mazzaro (13), Vittoria Piani (11) and Giulia Melli (10)- also reached double figures in the scores.
Serbia’s Katarina Lazovic finished with 16 points in the losing effort and Ljubica Milojevic added 10.
Italy held a comfortable margin in spikes 52-39 and in blocks 14-9. They made 25 errors, one more than Serbia.
Serbia made a terrific comeback from a déficit of 22-19 in the first set and won it 25-22 with a six-point rally capped by Milojevic with spike and block against Piani.
Egonu helped Italy to claim the second set after trailing 8-6 at the first technical stop. Italy led 16-14 at the second time-out and won with a comfortable 25-18.
Egonu carried Italy in the third set with her cannon-shots. The athletic spiker landed her blast for the 25-19 score.
Italy led 8-1 and 16-7 in the fourth set. The Italian side won it 25-17 with a bomb by Egonu for her 28th point of the match.