’95 Australian Youth Boys V’s Thai Air Force
Match 4 (Quarter Final Cross Over) – Thailand National U21 Championships 2011
AUS lost to Thai Air Force 0:3 17-25, 19-25, 11-25

AUS Starting Line-up (and points scored):
Brisbane (0), Beveridge (5), Dunn (0), Walker (8), Murch (9), Stevens (0), McDonald (Libero)

Substitutes:
Barry (0), Colotti (0), Stone (0), Farman (1), Marsh (1)

Today we played the top team from Pool A, Thailand Air Force, in the first of two crossover matches of the Thailand National U21 Championships quarterfinals. Battling against a strong Thai team and also illness the Australians fought valiantly to minimise their error count (8, 6 and 7 errors per set). However some below par passing contributed to a poor kill efficiency in attack.

The first set started as planned, helped by strong blocking and attack by Beveridge and Murch, with the young Australians going point for point with the Thai team to 5-5. Though a slick Thai attack and a series of forced errors saw the Thai team break away 7-15. The Australians regained some confidence when Beveridge made two stuff blocks and Walker and Murch chimed in with several kills in attack. However, the Thai’s finished the set well 17-25.

The second set started with both teams once again going point for point until 11-11. This was created through good confident hitting by Murch and Walker and some forced errors by the Thai’s. Marsh and Murch combined to put the Australians in front 13-11. However, some passing and attack errors saw the Thai’s take the lead 16-17. Strong attacks by Beveridge and Walker saw the lead change again in the Australians favour 19-18. From here the Thai’s increased the potency of their attack and quality of their defence and closed out the set 19-25.

The third set saw the Thai team race away to a 0-5 lead through a pattern of aggressive serving. Farman entered the court for a strong transition attack kill; however, the Thai team increased their attack and defensive pressure to increase their lead 5-13. Beveridge and Murch combined to create a strong attack though the Thai’s quick attack earned them some valuable points to further their lead 8-17. A solid stuff block and attack by Walker and strong opposite attack by Murch added to the Australians score. However, the Thai attack was too strong for the fatigued Australians and finished the match 11-25.

Tomorrow sees the ’95 Australian Youth Boys play their final quarterfinal crossover match against Makasan. This is a “must win” game if they want any chance of remaining in this tournament and progressing to the “Top 4” play-offs.

Statistics:
Attack – Team 29% kill 24% error (5%ke), Murch 35% kill 20% error (20), Walker 32% kill 14% error (22)
Block – Team 4 kills 11 controls 1 error
Passing – Team 1.53 28% perfect 9 errors, McDonald 2.06 (17) 47% perfect
Serving – Team 1.67 1 ace 7 errors, Brisbane 1.78 (9), Walker 1.70 (10)

Best players – Murch, Brisbane

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