A superb performance by Puerto Rico's Lynda Morales (MIP) helped Puerto Rico stay unbeaten at the end of WGP Group 2 Intercontinental Round in Poland.
Włocławek, Poland, June 12, 2016 – Puerto Rico needed only three sets to claim their sixth consecutive victory in 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix. Coach Juan Carlos Nunez’s team easily won against Poland 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23).
Hosts Poland once again found Puerto Rico to be their nemesis in this year’s WGP, this time having to admit a defeat after only three sets of play in Włocławek’s Champions Hall. Lynda Morales and Stephanie Enright won equal 12 points for their team, with the match’s MIP Morales boasting also two block points and two service aces. Poland’s Berenika Tomsia led the scoring charts with 16 points to her name. Both teams had already qualified to the Final Four before today's game.
Unbeaten Puerto Ricans started with aggressive attack, minding their yesterday’s troubles with staying focused during the match with Argentina. Thanks to smart play by Joanna Wołosz, Poles arrived at 9-all. A point by point play continued, but in the end of this part Poland made a couple of mistakes, the guests gained a two-point lead (20-18) and worked from there for a final 25-21.
The home team supported by white-and-red crowd opened the second set with a good attitude, which resulted in a decent one-point lead (8-7). Stephanie Enright kept on scoring points though, and her teammates did not let Poland get control over the game. A high efficiency in Polish block was not enough to stop Puerto Rico and high-jumping Yarimar Rosa at 22-20. The last rally belonged to Lynda Morales, who spiked and finished again at 25-21.
A ten-minute break had a positive effect on Poland as they began the third set with a 5-1 lead. After a while, the team from America got back on track at 11-11. Coach Jacek Nawrocki motivated his girls and thanks to good spikes of Anna Grejman, their team took a comfortable four-point advantage (21-17). Technical errors on Polish side caused hosts to lose control over the game and opened a way for a final come-back of team Puerto Rico. Guests exploded with joy of staying unbeaten after a faulty spike by Berenika Tomsia sealed the final score at 25-23.