Hong Kong, August 16, 2009 – The aggressive Polish wiped out the Dominicans’ last hope of victory in the FIVB third preliminary round with 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 13-25, 15-11 at Hong Kong Coliseum on Sunday.

The Dominicans impressed the audience in the first set. The remarkable strategies broke the concrete defense of Poland. The Dominicans led a double ahead of the Polish at 8-4 at the first TTO. Using a good variety of spikes promoted by the setter of Dominicans, they felicitously stretched the set at 16-9. The Dominicans concluded the set at 25-22.

Awaken from the loss in the first set, the Polish came back with compact blocks that devastated many bullet attacks from the Dominicans. Their impermeable defense at the net enabled Poland to lead at both TTOs (8-6, 16-10). Despite the Dominicans snatching 7 points in a row and tied with the Polish at 18-18, Poland managed to overcome the furious Dominicans and take the set (25-23).

Poland opened the score in the third set and got a 4-0 run, further securing the lead at 6-13 before the coach of the Dominicans cooling his team down by calling for another TO. Succumbed to great pressure, the Dominicans soon found themselves 9 points behind their opponent at the second TTO (7-16). Poland, with a good base to build a more solid margin of advantage, showed no mercy and cruised on to win the set 14-25. 

The Dominicans came back with outrage in the fourth set. They grabbed four points ahead of the Polish at the first TTO. The flame kept burning and the Polish shouted for a time out when they were 5 points behind the Dominicans. The Dominicans led the Polish a double at the second TTO. The Dominicans continued their attacks and won at 25-13.

The breath-taking final set as well as the ultimate victory of game went to Poland (15-11).

information from FIVB