2018 FIVB WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE – WEEK 1/POOL 1
- May 22nd-24th, 2018
- Başkent Volleyball Hall | Ankara, Turkey
- Time Zone: UTC +03:00
- World Rankings: #4 Brazil, #9 Dominican Republic, #11 Argentina, #12 Turkey,
SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | Score | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 May | 14:00 | Argentina  |
– |  Dominican Republic |
– | – | – | 0–0 | |||
| 22 May | 17:00 | Turkey  |
– |  Brazil |
– | – | – | 0–0 | |||
| 23 May | 14:00 | Brazil |
– | Argentina |
– | – | – | 0–0 | |||
| 23 May | 17:00 | Turkey |
– | Dominican Republic |
– | – | – | 0–0 | |||
| 24 May | 14:00 | Dominican Republic |
– | Brazil |
– | – | – | 0–0 | |||
| 24 May | 17:00 | Turkey |
– | Argentina |
– | – | – | 0–0 |
STANDINGS
Before the tournament started, if someone would have predicted a team in Pool 8 would be 3-0 and second in the standings, Brazil would be the pick. However, in week one Brazil fell to Germany while Turkey was the team who went 3-0. Nonetheless, those two nations appear to be the favorites in the pool while the Dominican Republic and Argentina will try to get off of the schneid this week and start a turnaround.
A likely projection for teams to advance to the Final 6 could be around 25 or 26 points. If a team can win two of their three matches every week that would set them up well.
In terms of points, a 3-0 or a 3-1 win earns the maximum of 3 for the winner and 0 for the loser. A 3-2 win earns 2 points for the winner and 1 point for the loser. Wins proceed points in terms of standings though.
Note: China is highlighted because they have secured a spot in the Final 6 as the event’s host. Teams with asterisks are in this pool.
| Matches | Pts | Sets | Points | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | W | L | W | L | Ratio | W | L | Ratio | |
| 1 |  Netherlands |
3 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 9.000 | 250 | 194 | 1.289 |
| 2 | Turkey* |
3 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 4.500 | 263 | 233 | 1.129 |
| 3 |  United States |
2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 2.000 | 285 | 261 | 1.092 |
| 4 |  Serbia |
2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 2.333 | 232 | 209 | 1.110 |
| 5 |  China |
2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2.000 | 193 | 165 | 1.170 |
| 6 | Brazil* |
2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 1.400 | 280 | 249 | 1.124 |
| 7 |  Russia |
2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1.200 | 255 | 244 | 1.045 |
| 8 |  South Korea |
2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1.200 | 248 | 220 | 1.127 |
| 9 |  Belgium |
2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1.200 | 224 | 227 | 0.987 |
| 10 |  Thailand |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 0.667 | 226 | 219 | 1.032 |
| 11 |  Germany |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0.571 | 230 | 256 | 0.898 |
| 12 |  Japan |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0.571 | 230 | 258 | 0.891 |
| 13 |  Poland |
1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 0.500 | 254 | 268 | 0.948 |
| 14 | Dominican Republic* |
0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 0.444 | 236 | 289 | 0.817 |
| 15 |  Italy |
0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 0.222 | 215 | 255 | 0.843 |
| 16 | Argentina* |
0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0.222 | 193 | 267 | 0.723 |
POOL PREVIEW
Basing things off of world rankings, Brazil would be the favorite with a tight race for second between three very even teams. In fact, Turkey is the lowest ranked, but after their week one performance that included a highlight win over the United States, they may be the favorite here. At the very least we may be able to call them and the Brazilians co-favorites, and the winner of their match on the first day of the pool could end up determining the victor of the group.
Regardless of what happens between Turkey in Brazil right away, both should put on a strong push to win their other two matches. If that happens and one goes 3-0 with the other at 2-1, they will both be in solid positioning overall.
One key factor in the pool will be the Dominican side. Turkey and Brazil seem to be established enough for this event early on and Argentina looks like one of the teams who will have trouble finding the win column. In terms of ranking, the Dominican Republic is the second-highest positioned team in the pool, but after an 0-3 first week that doesn’t seem to be the case.
If the Dominican Republic turns things around from week one and looks more like the team they were projected to be coming in, they could be a dark horse to Brazil and Turkey either for the pool victory or to at least knock one off and effect the overall standings.
STAR PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Argentina – the Argentinian side has produced much from a blocking or serving standpoint, but they have found some solid balance in attacks. They have three players with 20 or more kills, led by Anahi Florencia Tosi (30 kills, 32 points) and Elina Rodriguez (24 kills, 27 points).
- Brazil – The powerful attack of Tandara Caixeta (48 spikes and 57 points) was nearly unstoppable in week one. Her offense combined with the blocking duo of Ana Beatriz Correa (1.25 blocks per set, 42 points) and Adenizia Da Silva (1.08 blocks per set, 26 points) makes Brazil quite the formidable foe and should reflect similarly to the Turkish side – likely their top competition in the pool.
- Dominican Republic – The talented Brayelin Elizabeth Martinez has slightly more than double the points of anyone else on her team with 57. She’s first on the team in kills and aces and second in blocking. While they will need her to continue her stellar play, the side will need to find more balance and other star options if they want to find themselves in the win column.
- Turkey – The biggest star of the Turkish side is their team balance, shown by the five players who logged 30 or more points in week one. The setter distributing the attacks was mainly Cansu Ozbay, but a myriad of points also came from a strong block. Zehra Gunes (1.00 blocks per set) and Eda Erdem Dundar (0.91 blocks per set) create a dynamic duo and also rank fourth and first respectively on Turkey in total points.
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