Australia vs. Modena (4/03/09)

Set 1:
#1 T.Ryan(s), #5 L.Skipper(ph), #10 J.Gordon(m), #4 L.Cory(o), #2 N.Bishop(ph), #3 B.Carey(m)
Australia came out fighting, forcing the first three errors of the game. Italy quickly regained their composure to even out the score. A solid performance by J.Gordon through the middle kept Aus in the game, which was backed up by some tactical setting from T.Ryan. Despite some desperate scrambling the power behind the Modenian offence proved too much for the Aussies with Modena taking the set 18-25.

Set 2:
#1 T.Ryan(s), #5 L.Skipper(ph), #10 J.Gordon(m), #4 L.Cory(o), #2 N.Bishop(ph), #3 B.Carey(m)
Fantastic service reception by libero K. Evans and L. Skipper kept the Aussies attacking consistently. As the Aussies found their rhythm the team fired up with some excellent stuff blocks by Captain B. Carey. The Italian jump floats kept the girls working hard as the Italians slipped into the lead, but perseverance and some inspirational defence had the girls tighten the gap. Modena eventually took the set from the scrambling Aussies 18-25.

Set 3:
#1 T.Ryan(s), #2 N.Bishop(ph), #10 J.Gordon(m), #4 L.Cory(o), #8 E.Greenwood(ph), #3 B.Carey(m)
Australia held the momentum from the start of the third to gain an early lead. The game ran point for point with some smart offence by N. Bishop and desperation in backcourt by E. Greenwood. Setter T.Ryan caught the Italians flat footed with some deceptive tips into the centre of the court allowing the Aussies to hold the lead. Aussies kept their composure to fight for the final points yet went down 21-25.
Set 4:
#1 T.Ryan(s), #2 N.Bishop(ph), #10 J.Gordon(m), #4 L.Cory(o), #8 E.Greenwood(ph), #3 B.Carey(m)
Modena showed their discipline through minimal errors, securing them an early lead with the Aussies unable to match their performance. Consistent serving across the team helped Aus back into the game. The teams rallied with one another but Aus was unable to adapt to the Italian offence, making too many blocking errors. Modena takes the set 17-25.

Set 5:
#12 C.Martin(s),#9 E.Simson(ph), #10 J.Gordon(m), #7 H.Shorter(o), #8 E.Greenwood(ph), #11 L. Upitis(m)
A fresh lineup went on to disturb the Italians momentum. The team fought hard early on and held the scores even until eight all with solid play all around. A change in blocking tactics allowed the Aussies to channel the ball to a desperate backcourt, yet Modena capitalized on the Aussies errors, pulling away to a comfortable 9-15 victory.
Stats:
Passing: N.Bishop (2.06), K.Evans (2.02), L.Skipper (2.30)
Blocking: B. Carey (6 control, 1 stuff)
Serving: B.Carey, N.Bishop, J.Gordon
Spiking: N. Bishop (6 kills), B. Carey, L.Cory

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