Brazil's libero Fabi digs as Sheilla Castro watches
Brazil
vs
Puerto Rico
3
-
0
Kobe, Japan, October 31, 2006 -- Brazil eased past Puerto Rico 3-0 in the first match in Pool C in Kobe, overcoming their opponents 25-21, 25-15, 25-18. Jaqueline Carvalho was in spectacular form for the Brazilians, while Welissa Gonzaga also weighed in with some heavy hitting.
In the first set, Brazil's Carvalho was outstanding, defending with passion and delivering some awesome spikes. Libero Fabiana Alvim de Oliveira was also impressive, handling the best that Puerto Rico could offer and giving stability to the team when they might have faltered.
Puerto Rico kept it close in the early stages, closing to within a point at 8-7 when Brazil went on a mini run capped by an amazing dig from Carvalho, which she followed up with a stunning spike.
From that point on Puerto Rico couldn't catch up, with Brazil drawing away 18-12 and finishing the set with a spike by Fabiana Claudinho.
Mistakes crept into the games of both sides in the second set, which allowed the Puerto Ricans a chance to get back into the game.
But brilliant defending by the Brazilians shut the door on their opponents and after the first technical timeout, they took their lead from 8-6 to 12-7. Still, the Puerto Ricans weren't lying down and some huge rallies entertained the fans at Green Arena.
Brazil pulled away after the second technical timeout and a good joint block by Fabiana Claudinho and Caroline Albuquerque sealed the set.
Although the third set was closer, the Brazilians remained in control. Carvalho again delivered some astonishing spikes as well as some excellent defense. When Puerto Rico threatened to rally at 19-17, Carvalho answered the challenge with three monstrous spikes that effectively killed the game off.
With the score at 23-18, the fans delighted at the rally of the match, which saw the Brazilians, particularly Walewska Oliveira and Carvalho, block the best Puerto Rico had to offer. Oliveira finished off the rally with a short push into space and Souza ended the match in similar style after a neat faked set.
