Thailand downs Puerto Rico 3-0 at Beilun int'l women's volleyball tournament

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Category: Ningbo District

Published: Tuesday, 21 May 2013 16:57

NINGBO, China, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Thailand held off a late challenge from Puerto Rico to secure its second victory at the Beilun International Women's Volleyball Tournament here on Sunday.

Thailand, who beat Cuba in five sets and lost 3-0 to China earlier at the four-team competition, defeated Puerto Rico 25-17, 25-16, 26-24 in one hour 13 minutes.

Outside hitter Sittirak Onuma scored game-high 17 points for Thailand, including 13 kills, and Thinkaow Pleumjit contributed 14 points. Karina Ocasio led Puerto Rico with 10 points.

"Congratulations to my girls on their better performance than yesterday. Hopefully, we will do better next week," said Thailand coach R Kiattipong.

Thailand started well, going into the first technical timeout 8-2 ahead, but Puerto Rico replied with a 7-0 run to overtake the lead at 9-8. Onuma then hit an arsenal of spikes to the middle, corner and the front row of the Puerto Rican side to help Thailand pull away at the second TTO, 16-12, and take the set.

Displaying solid floor defence and quick attack, the Thais breezed through the second set with minimal fuss.

Puerto Rico's defence was more settled at the start of the third set and even when they got blocked, they managed to get the ball back in play for another chance to attack. When 17-12 up, Puerto Rico looked set to pull one set back, but Thailand then regained their rhythm to get closer.

Trailing 24-23, Pleumjit spiked for Thailand to make it 24-all before she delivered two ace service in a row to close out the set and the match.

Later on Sunday, China face Cuba in the last match of the tournament. The four teams will move next week to Shenzhen, in south China, for the second leg of the invitational tournament.