Serbia were two sets down in the match but managed to overcome the Russians in the second round of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup on Monday
The Russians went down with their first loss in the tournament after winning six consecutive matches. Russian captain Nataliya Obmochaeva finished with 27 points. Russia scored more blocks and aces than the Serbians, but the latter outscored them in attacks.
Russia were able to get ahead of Serbia on a two-point margin after a tight scuffle at the start of the first set. The Serbians then snatched a 15-13 lead, until Russia played with better blocking that helped them tie the game at 20-all. Another deadlock was set at 22-all but Russia scored three straight points from a service ace, attack and block that concluded the set 25-22.
Tijana Boskovic stepped up to give the Serbians with a 16-12 edge, then the Russians suddenly got their blocking game to work that levelled the score at 18-all. Serbia’s defence fell apart when the Russians attacked from every angle and mounted tough blocks. Russia gained momentum to secure the second set 25-22. The Serbians made sure they stayed in the game with a lot of control on their offence. The Serbians grabbed the 25-14 victory as the Russians struggled on both tactical ends.
Serbia applied the same pressure on the fourth set to gain a 13-8 lead. Tatiana Kosheleva brought Russia back in the game as she converted points from her attacks. Obmochaeva helped in to cut down the Serbian lead to 20-19, until Kosheleva evened the score at 22-all. Russia suddenly caught some troubles in the end that allowed Serbia to force a tiebreaker 25-23. In the fifth set, both squads had an exchange of strong attacks that kept the score close. Serbia prevailed in the tiebreaker as Obmochaeva committed two consecutive errors 15-12.