The Serbian hitters reigned over the Cubans in a straight-set match in the third round of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup at Park Arena Komaki on Friday
Veljkovic and Bjelica recorded 10 points each for Serbia, while Daymara Lescay Cajigal and Heidy Margarita Rodriguez Lopez only managed to score six points each for Cuba. Serbian hitters had a field day as they outscored the Cubans by earning 42 points from the attack line.
Serbia coach Zoran Terzic decided to let his top gunners Tijana Boskovic and Brankica Mihajlovic to rest. The result was not much favourable to the Serbians as they committed already nine errors to allow Cuba to trail within one point at 21-20, followed up by another error that tied the game at 21-all. Serbia somehow managed to score a 4-1 run that ended the set in their favour 25-22.
Serbia had a better control on their offence as five players – Tijana Malesevic, Jelena Nikolic, Jovana Stevanovic, Veljkovic, and Bjelica – produced an equal output of five points each to lead Cuba 14-5. Cuba made an outstanding comeback mid-set 19-15 that forced Serbia to reorganise their plays. Serbia still triumphed 25-19 as Yamila Hernandez Santas served into the net. The Serbians cruised to victory in the third set with very little challenge from the Cubans 25-15.