U20-WM: In-form Germany blunts the American challenge..

In-form Germany blunts the American challenge to power past the Norceca champions in four sets. Both sides started aggressively from the beginning of the match. USA fielded the solid line-up including the lengthy 197cm Jennifer Doris, who is the tournament’s tallest player. As the narrow 7-6 lead, Doris used her height advantage to spike devastatingly at the net to help her team widen the gap to 16-11. Hard-attacking Karia Borger brought the German challenge back on track when the score was eventually tied at 20-20 and again 22-22. Germany surprised the Americans to seal the hard-fought first set 27-25.

Conceding the first set, the Americans fought back gallantly, with captain Alexandra Klineman, 194cm tall, methodically tearing the German defence with her exceptional spikes. As commandingly leading 18-9, USA continued their aggressive form to win the comfortable set 25-14. Germany dominated the third set initially to lead 14-6, thanks to their excellent teamwork and the improved tactics. USA put their acts together to trail narrowly 14-16, but the Germans still had enough to hold them off. Germany took the set 25-18.

The terrific jump serves by left-hander Denise Hanke got German off to a great start in the fourth set, where the Germans led 4-0 from the start. USA replaced the injured Ashley Engle, who had her left-leg sprained, with Kelly Murphy. Germany grabbed the golden chance to start attacking spectacularly. Racing to a 13-7 lead, the Germans never looked back from then on to stretch it to 23-17. However, USA came close at  21-24 before Karla Borger dropped the ball in the mid court to win the set 25-21 and the match.


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Quelle: FIVB