Serbia and Montenegro move a step closer with confident win
Nikolic of Serbia and Montenegro spikes against the Polish defence
Poland
vs
Serbia & Montenegro
0
-
3
November 9, Nagoya: Serbia and Montenegro took a big step towards the semi-finals with a straight sets defeat of Poland in Pool E.
The still-unbeaten Balkan side are growing in confidence with every win of their first World Championship appearance in 28 years, and made short work of the Poles 25-15, 25-22, 25-14.
The win consolidated Serbia and Montenegro's position at the top of Pool E, and put them within touching distance of the semis in Osaka next week.
Serbia and Montenegro coach Zoran Terzic was unhappy with his side's performance against Korea the previous day, despite safeguarding their perfect record with a straight sets win.
Poland were always going to provide a different kind of test from the Asians, however, and immediately the two European sides began trading heavy blows.
Ivana Djerisilo and Anja Spasojevic notched early for Serbia and Montenegro, while Sylwia Pycia and Natalia Bamber registered for Poland.
But Maria Liktoras showed there was room for guile as well, prodding over a delicate touch at the net when Serbia and Montenegro's blockers were waiting for another smash.
At the end of the first barrage of fire, it was Serbia and Montenegro who led into the first TTO at 8-6 after a service ace by Djerisilo.
The Balkan side kept their noses in front as the first set progressed, and after Poland had missed a service, Jelena Nikolic showed how it was done with another ace for 16-12.
Libero Suzana Cebic was helping to keep the Poles at bay on her 22nd birthday, and while Kamila Fratczak came up with a fine block to draw a point back, Serbia and Montenegro had hit their stride early.
Poland could find no way of returning spikes from Vesna Citakovic and Spasojevic again as Serbia and Montenegro reached set point, and a net infringement sealed the deal at 25-15 and compounded Poland's miserable start to the match.
The mistakes continued into the second set, with both sides responsible for missed serves and defensive mix-ups.
But some bright play did shine through, with a good block by Pycia and another ace by Djerisilo among the highlights.
Serbia and Montenegro again went into the first TTO with a slender lead at 8-7 after a Citakovic block, and Nikolic began flexing her muscles on the left flank soon after.
But tall Polish setter Izabela Belcik was darting about the court orchestrating attacks, and the number 4 rose at the net to block for a 13-11 lead.
The advantage would not last, however, and Polish coach Ireneusz Klos called a time-out after Natasa Krsmanovic put Serbia and Montenegro 18-16 ahead.
Polish libero Mariola Zenik refused to concede the set, and hurled herself at a Serbia and Montenegro spike for an almost impossible save.
But Zenik's heroics were not enough to win the point, and Spasojevic gave Serbia and Montenegro set point with another missile from the left.
Spasojevic and her fellow spikers were proving too strong for the Poles, and the number 15 took the second set for Serbia and Montenegro at 25-22.
The Balkan side began the third set determined to finish the job quickly, and it was only when Nikolic spiked into the net that Poland won their first point at 1-5 down.
Djerisilo's arm was firing with the relentless efficiency of a piston, and the Polish defence was busy dealing with attacks from all directions.
Good blocking by the Poles, including a great leap by Pycia, clawed back the points, but it was never enough to overtake their opponents.
A late appearance by Jovana Brakocevic brought Serbia and Montenegro set point after two superb winners, and a miscued return from the Poles gave Terzic's side the win and pole position in the group.
