Thailand Junior Championships
’91 Australian Youth Boys v Bangkapi
Match 5 – 28-05-09

AUS lost to BANG 0:3 (22-25, 17-25, 19-25)

AUS Starting Line-up (and points scored): Bell (2)(QLD), Lowe (4)(AIS/NSW), Clewes (9)(AIS/SA), Simmonds (10)(WA), L. Hill (10)(VIC), Winzar (5)(VIC), Borgeaud (libero)(ACT)
Substitutes: Lillywhite (0)(AIS/WA), Bates (0)(VIC), Peacock (C)(0)(AIS/SA), Cook (2)(QLD), Mercer (2)(AIS/QLD)

Match Report

A much improved Australian outfit took the court in their second quarter-final pool match tonight, with the 0-3 scoreline belying the closeness of the contest between the two teams.

A run of errors to begin the match did little to help the Australian cause at 0-3. However, a timeout had the desired effect, the team responding well with consecutive points to Simmonds. When L. Hill terminated an overpass off Simmonds’ serving and Winzar following up with a kill block, the gap had been closed with Australia trailing 7-8 at the first technical timeout. An even contest through the middle phase of the set, Bell registering a kill block to give Australia a 14-13 lead. Sadly an attack error on transition attack saw the scores level, the Thai’s regaining the lead at the second technical when they created a transition for point opportunity (15-16). Two more blocks to Simmonds kept the scores close, unfortunately two late errors by the Aussies allowing the set to slip from their grasp, 22-25.

The change of ends allowed time to regroup, the team renewing their focus on establishing their quick attack with instant success as Clewes registered consecutive sideout kills. Strong serving prevented the Australians from running their quick attack at this point; and with the outside hitters unable to terminate the ball, their Thai opposition took a stranglehold on the set – entering the first technical with a five point lead. This lead grew as the Australians continued to struggle to terminate the ball on attack, 7-14, until an excellent serving run by Bell, which provided Clewes with an overpass kill, also gave the blockers the chance to perform. Three blocks in as many rallies (one each to Clewes, Mercer and Simmonds) placing the pressure back on their opposition at 14-15. Sadly the Australians faltered amid some strong serving by the Thais, three late reception errors coupled with three attack errors extinguishing any momentum the team had earlier created, 17-25.

The third set began much better for the Australians, siding out initially through Simmonds before creating and converting a transition point through L. Hill. When Lowe registered a service ace, the Australians were sporting a 3-0 lead and looked set to continue their good run. Strong defence by their opposition again hampered sideout attempts, the scoreline reversed to see Bangkapi hold a 6-8 lead at the first technical timeout. The Australian players continued to fight hard, but were unable to take advantage of created opportunities, quickly trailing 10-16 at the second technical. Another strong serve run closed the gap marginally, courtesy of a block to L. Hill and two opponent errors (14-16), but when their opposition refocused they had re-established a commanding lead at 15-20 forcing Australia’s second timeout for the set. While all players continued to fight hard to stay in each rally, two further errors put the set virtually out of reach, 15-22. A block to Winzar the only other highlight for the set, Bangkapi holding on to record a strong victory 19-25.

Despite the scoreline in each set, the Australian team did play much better tonight than previously. It was a stronger opponent on the day that negated the teams’ efficiency in a number of key areas, forcing the Australians to earn every point a number of times. The result of tonights match sees Australia fail to progress to the semi-final stage of the tournament. The team would like to thank the sponsors (Select Tuna) and tournament organisers for all their efforts in what has been an excellent Thailand Junior Championships. The ’91 Australian Youth Boys Team would also like to acknowledge the support of the Australian Volleyball Federation, the volleyball community at large and finally the parents and supporters of each athlete on tour (without whom, such results would not be possible). The ’91 Australian Youth Boys Team will return home on Saturday, the players eager to continue their volleyball journey and share their experiences with local team mates and state representatives in the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships in July.

Statistics

Attack – Team 37% kill 20% error (17%ke) Clewes 46% kill (13) 8% error
Block – Team 15 kills, Simmonds 6 kills, Clewes 3 kills
Passing – Team 1.96 37% perfect 3% error, L. Hill 2.42 (19) 58% perfect 0% error
Serving – Team 1.83 1 ace 3 errors, Clewes 2.00 (11), L. Hill 2.00 (9), Lowe 2.00 (6); Lowe 1 ace