Press release

Semifinalists determined at Girls' U18 with resurgent Peru on the spot

Peru team celebrate the surprise qualification to the semifinal at FIVB Girls U18 World Championship with their spectators

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, August 2, 2013 – Unexpected, world No. 10 Peru joined the world titans at FIVB Girls' U18 World Championship as they featured their first semifinal appearance in 20 years, along with world No. 1 China, No. 2 Brazil and No. 5 USA, following the thrilling quarterfinal show at Chatchai and Lipatapanlop halls in Nakhon Ratshasima on Friday.
Now Brazil battle it out against USA and China line up against Peru in the semifinal showpiece on Saturday waiting for more of the competition surprises and excellent show.
Out of the qualifiers, Peru came as the biggest surprise after they upset heavy favourites Serbia after a marathon tiebreaker 3-2 (16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 15-8) in 125 minutes.
Brazil easily took over Japan in straight sets (25-23, 25-22, 25-22), while china rebounded bravely from two sets behind to upset the spirited Dominicans 3-2 (22-25, 20-25, 25-11, 25-22, 15-6) and USA flew past Poland in a fast straight setter (25-22, 25-20, 26-24).
In the classification 9 to 16 matches Italy, Chinese Taipei, Turkey and Greece made their way to play for the 9 to 12 positions leaving the losers Egypt, Puerto Rico, Thailand and Slovenia for 13 to 16 Brackets.
In the classification 17 to 20 round robin tournament, Mexico and Argentina settled the situation between them when they meet face to face on Saturday after both team win in straight sets their matches against Algeria and Tunisia who will now compete for the last two positions in the standings.
Quarterfinal
Peru claim a historic win over resurgent Serbia

World No. 10 Peru pulled off one of the biggest wins in their history by beating world No. 7 Serbia for the first time ever in a five set thriller 3-2 (16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 15-8) in their quarterfinal match at Chatchi Hall.

The game came against all the pre- match predictions, considering Serbia's pedigree and form in this competition as the only undefeated team before they suffered their first upset at the crucial stage specially that this will be their first edition since their participation in 2007 to be eliminated before the semifinal.
Peru are now semifinalists for the first time since 1993 and second time in their history to face World No. 1 China in a thrilling encounter in semis. Serbia meet Dominican Republic for the 9 to 16 Brackets.
Peru's captain and outstanding spiker Angela Leyva played an extra ordinary game to finish as her team scorer with 20 points including 3 blocks and one ace service followed by Maguilaura Frias 16. From the Serbian side again Sara Lozo was the best scorer with 17 points followed by Bojana Milenkovic 16.
China claim historic victory against fighting Dominicans
Super attacking weapon Xinyue Yuan who is the second tallest player in the competition (199 cm) conducted World No. 1 China to a historic victory over World No. 8 Dominican Republic led by the tallest player in the competition Elizabeth Martinez (200 cm) in a fantastic come back 3-2 (22-25, 20-25, 25-11, 25-22, 15-6) after 106 minutes of excellent performance at Chatchi Hall.
China qualified to the semifinal of the competition for the second time in row and fifth in their history, while Dominican Republic will play for 5 to 8 positions.
Coming from behind after losing the first and second sets the Chinese came back with great motivation as they returned to their style using the quick attacks using their horrible center Xinyue Yuan who scored 22 points as her team best scorer including 5 successful blocks. She played a great role also in scoring the crucial points specially in the fourth set that turned the situations completely.
Brazil through to semifinals with Japan victory
World No. 2 Brazil beat Asian giants Japan ranked ninth with a well worked victory 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-22) at Chatchi Hall.
Hot favourites Brazil now qualified for the semifinal, while Japan play for the 5 to 8 brackets.
Brazil improved their total competition win- loss ratio to 5-1, while the overall Japanese dropped to 4-2.
As usual Brazil provide a new star every match, and this time it was the center Laiza Ferreira who made a marvelous blocking performance gaining 6 points from killing blocks out of her tally of 13 points. She prevented the Japanese to use their dominance in attacks through the center of the net.
Strong opposite spiker Lorenne Geraldo did also a good job in sending her sharp hits from position 2 beside her blocking role as she won 3 blocks out of e her tally of 10 points. Japan's captain and opposite Miku Benoki was her team and match scorer with 14 points.
USA into semis as Poland's dream run comes to a close

World No. 5 USA booked a semifinal spot after beating No. 6 Poland 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 26-24) in the quarterfinal at Chatchi Hall.
The victory means USA to play Brazil for the second time in the semifinal after they met before in the Pool C stage, while Poland made it to the 5 to 8 standings against Japan.
USA won 15 successful blocks during the match out of them 5 by the 197 cm tall Audriana Fitzmorris who had the match best blocking performance beside 5 ace services which made the difference against 9 blocks and 6 aces from the Polish side.
Alexa Smith was USA's best scorer with 13 points followed by Mikaela Foecke 11, and from Poland three players; Malgorzata Smieszek, Kornelia Moskwa and Kornelia and Magdalena Damaske scored 10 points each
SOURCE WEBSITE
http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/U18/2013/