Offense Lifts Ukraine, Japan to U21 Pool H Victories

FIVB U21 Championships

• June 23-July 2, 2017
• Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
• Schedule/Results

Pool H

Ukraine 3, Morocco 0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-23)

Japan 3, Turkey 1 (25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20)

Turkey kept the top spot in Pool H despite falling to Japan, while Ukraine overcame errors to sweep Morocco and take second in the group on Thursday.

Ukraine 3, Morocco 0

It was not a perfect match, but Ukraine came through at the net both offensively and on the block to register a sweep of Morocco on Thursday. The Ukrainians downed 41 kills, while holding Morocco to just 23, and outblocked their foes 10-6. The Moroccans bested Ukraine from the service line 6-3 and help from 31 Ukrainian errors in the match.

“We did the best we can and this is a perfect result,” Ukrainian coach Mykola Pasazhin said.

Ostapenko Volodymyr notched a match-high 17 points, with 14 kills, two blocks and an ace to lead the Ukraine. Oleh Plotnyskyi chipped in 11 points, with nine kills and two blocks. Rohozhyn Andrii managed nine points, including a team-best four blocks.

Oussama Elazhari and Youssef Aatata tallied eight points apiece to lead Morocco. Elazhari downed seven kills and a block, while Aatata served up two aces and chipped in a block.

“We are always looking to win but we can’t now,” Moroccan coach Mohammed Abdellaoui Maan said. “I am happy to see my team play and I hope good things for the future.”

Japan 3, Turkey 1

Three players turned in double-digit scoring efforts and double-digit kill tallies as Japan topped Turkey in four sets.

Yudai Arai scored 19 points, including 17 kills. Kenyu Nakamoto added 17 points and Kento Miyaura chipped in 16 points, both registering 14 kills and two blocks.

“We prepared well for this match, we analyzed their skills last night and thankfully we could win,” Japanese captain Kenta Takanashi said.

Miyaura scored six points as Japan excelled offensively in a 25-21 Set 1 win. Turkey had its chances in Set 2, but miscues down the stretch gave the Japanese the 2-0 lead. After conceding a 25-23 loss in Set 3, Japan wrapped up the match by overpowering Turkey.

“We tried everything,” Turkish captain Abdullah Cam said. “We know European volleyball better but we knew they have a good team, so congratulations to them.”

Adis Lagumdzija and Cam led the way for Turkey with 16 and 14 points respectively. Lagumdzija downed 14 kills, while Cam added 10 kills and three aces.