SHEARER LEADS KIWIS TO 3-1 COMBACK WIN OVER SINGAPORE

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, May 14, 2018 – New Zealand enjoyed their first win after a comeback 3-1 (22-25, 25-13, 25-23, 28-26) win over Singapore on Day 2 of the “Princess Cup” 20th Est Cola South East Asian Women’s U17 Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Sports Centre Gymnasium on Monday.

Emilia Shearer became the New Zealand’s top scorer after amassing 20 points, while Maama Vaipulu contributed 15 points. Singapore scored from Chu Zi Tian and Sim Shu Qi Adeline with 8 and 7 points respectively.

Singapore, losing their first match to India the previous day, hoped to make amends in this crucial match. They got off to a flying start, with Tian Chua producing many well-placed serves to help the team move forward for a commanding 11-4 lead, but the Kiwis clawed their ways back to level at 12-12. Since then both teams traded point by point. A turning point occurred when the Kiwis started to commit some hasty mistakes which caused them dear. The Singaporeans took the first set 25-21.

In the second set, New Zealand, which suffered their first loss at the hands of Kazakhstan, regained their fine form as they dominated the whole game to win the comfortable set 25-13. With their impressive blocking and aggressive attacks from Emilia Shearer, New Zealand kept their momentum going to win the next two sets 25-23, 28-26 and the exciting clash.

“This is our second match as a team and we have never played any international competition before, so I am quite happy with my players’ improvement. It was a tough match against Kazakhstan yesterday (Sunday), but it gave us a good opportunity to learn from the mistakes. We still have a long way to go. I am proud of them to give their best and eventually win,”Collen Mcilroy, head coach of New Zealand, commented after the match.

“We will take it game by game and see how we can go. We would like to finish among the top four but we will never underestimate any opponents. Against India tomorrow (Tuesday), I think they are a tough team with tall players. I hope we will have some improvements and learn from today’s game,”she added.

Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: https://twitter.com/avcvolley
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation