Jiangmen, China, July 7, 2024 – Australia cruised past Hong Kong, China in four sets 25-11, 25-23, 16-25, 25-22 to finish 11th place at the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium.
However, the 11th-place finish they have taken in the nine-day championship was a far cry from the country’s best-performance of 4th place achieved at the 1992 edition in Malaysia. Their latest appearance in this championship was in 2018 in Vietnam, where they managed to finish 10th position. The Aussies did not take part in the previous edition in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan two years ago.
Outside hitter Cameron Zajer and fellow outside hitter Ella Schabort scored 18 points apiece for Australia, while Caitlin Whincup contributed another 13 points. Opposite Wilson Halimah Zampaligre led Hong Kong, China with 11 points including 10 kills from 32 attempts.
Australia opened up with aggression from middle blocker Josephine Foster, whose two points in a row from her fast spike and one ace put the team to the 7-3 lead. Moments later, Hong Kong, China had a poor reception, allowing the Aussies attacking opportunities. Leading for good 19-9, the Aussies went on their attacks and extended the lead to 21-11 and never looked back to score four points in succession, with outside hitter Caitlin Whincup claiming three including two aces. Australia took the completely one-sided battle 25-11.
In the second set, Australia still made a strong start to lead 4-1 and stretched it to 18-11. However, Hong Kong, China regained their form and hit back with all they had. Their more determination bore fruits well as they narrowed the margin with just one point behind at 22-23 and again at 23-24, thanks to their consistent play and efficient blocks. However, Australia fought back, with Cameron Zajer producing an aggressive swing for the team’s 25-23 win.
Going down two straight sets, Hong Kong, China recovered in the third set, making the most of their good combinations and improved reception to lead all the way. After leading with an eight-point advantage at 20-12, Hong Kong, China advanced 21-15 and held firm to clinch this comfortable set 25-16.
The fourth set became more thrilling. Australia took an early lead 11-7, but Hong Kong, China gradually pulled their game together and hit back with attacks from opposite Wilson Halimah Zampaligre and outside hitter Hung Chin Ting to close the margin at 22-22. The Hong Kong, China’s good show, however, did not last long as the Aussies came back to score three consecutive points for the team’s eventual 25-22 win in the set, match and the 11th place. Hong Kong, China, which returned with the 12th position at their latest appearance in 2018 in Vietnam, finished on the bottom 12th position here in Jiangmen.
Australia head coach Cameron Bettenay commented after the match, “We are really enjoyable. We had a very pretty good game plan coming in doing it. We stuck to the game plan in set one. In set two, Hong Kong, China are a very good team, very competitive with serve reception and side outs and they continued on that in set three they’ve got to win. However, much credit to my girls. We go back to the game plan, stay strong and find out to manage a few more points. But all credits to Hong Kong, China is a wonderful game, play with a really good attitude and great mindset of both teams.”
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