KURLOVICH POWERS KAZAKHSTAN TO 3-0 WIN OVER NEW ZEALAND

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, May 13, 2018 – Formidable Violetta Kurlovich scored a match-high 14 points as Kazakhstan pulled off a convincing 25-18 25-21 25-15 victory over New Zealand at their preliminary Pool B clash of the “Princess Cup” 20th Est Cola South East Asian Women’s U17 Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Sports Centre Gymnasium on Sunday.

Violetta Kurlovich emerged as the top scorer with 14 points for Kazakhstan including 11 attacks and three ace serves, while Kristina Strukova added 11 points. Emilis Shearrer scored a team-high 12 points for New Zealand.

Led by powerful Kurlovich and Ibrayeva Samal, Kazakhstan played a brilliant offense against the Kiwis to take the comfortable first set 25-18.

New Zealand, however, never gave up easily as they took an initial 8-2 lead in the second set. To the Kiwis’ surprise, the lead didn’t last long when the Kazakhs bounced back aggressively to grab the hard-fought set 25-21.

The similar drama appeared once again in the third set when the Kiwis were on fire for a commanding 8-4 lead in the first TTO, but the Kazakhs, coached by Japanese Koichi Shuto, regained their rhythm and attacked fearlessly for the 25-15 win in the set.

“It was a good game,”said Koichi. “New Zealand played well at the beginning of the second and third sets and we were just lucky to get through. My team trained about three weeks before playing in this tournament. I hope we can go far.”

Kazakhstan will next take on India, while New Zealand will go up against Singapore on Monday.

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