Tokyo, Japan, September 23, 2015 –
Australia capped off their run in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup with a 3-1 triumph against Venezuela (25-16, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Wednesday.
Paul Carroll collected the Most Impressive Player nod with his steady performance and his 25-point haul. Max Staples charted another 12 markers for coach Roberto Santilli’s squad.
Blocking was the biggest story at the start of the match where Australia simply lorded over the net. They connected with seven block points compared to none for Venezuela in the first set alone.
Carroll and Staples performed well in both spikes and deflections to give Australia the first set, 25-16.
Venezuela had to concoct a wider range of plays in order to avoid getting barred at the net. They grew more aggressive with their attacks and set up captain Kervin Pinerua for some swings. Ivan Marquez provided his share of heavy bombing from the middle.
The Australian side continued to mount their offence anchored on Carroll and continued to post good blocks, preventing major scoring damage from the opposition.
Australia earned the second set, 25-21, with Carroll snapping in a spike that caught the touch of the Venezuelan blockers.
Coach Vincenzo Nacci’s wards took better control of the third set. Emerson Rodriguez found his sweet spot from the wing to give Venezuela the momentum towards 24-20.
Carroll saved two setpoints but a touch on the opponents’ attack cost Australia the third set, 25-22.
Maximo Antonio Montoya Martine was the chief cause of Venezuela’s commendable effort in the fourth set. His swings pressured the opposition into beefing up their net and floor defence.
Australia relied on Samuel Walker for much needed points in crucial plays. Captain Thomas Edgar slapped in two points from the flank to finish the fourth set, 25-21.