Boskovic powers Serbia past Mexico 3-0 in second-round opener
Posted by Playr
Nagoya, Japan, October 7, 2018 - Tijana Boskovic scored 11 points as Serbia opened play in the second round of the FIVB Women's World Championship on Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-15) victory over Mexico.
Brankica Mihajlovic and Stefana Veljkovic notched 10 points each in the win for Serbia.
Andrea Rangel paced Mexico with 14 points in the loss.
Serbia, which went 5-0 and did not lose a set in Pool D in Hamamatsu, picked up where they left off against Mexico.
The Serbian attack proved too much for the Mexicans, who put up a determined effort but lacked the firepower of their opponents.
Serbia started to roll in the second set and excelled in all aspects of the contest from that point on.
Jovana Stevanovic made a nice block to give Serbia a 10-5 lead in the first set. Mihajlovic hammered a spike to make it 13-8 for the Serbs, who attacked successfully from the wings. It was 16-10 at the second TTO with Serbia firmly in control. Monica Moreno made a nice block on Tijana Malesevic to pull Mexico within five points at 18-13. Mexico kept it close, but Serbia's control of the set never appeared in doubt. A service ace by Stevanovic made it 21-16. Mihajlovic made a nice save and set across cpourt to Boskovic for a 23-19 lead and the Serbs took the set 25-19.
Serbia jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second set via good passing and strong attacks. The attacking duo of Boskovic and Mihajlovic continued to make it difficult for Mexico, which could not string together points. The Serb attack continued to roll and scored quickly in the set. Serbia led 16-8 at the second TTO. Melanie Parra's spike was blocked out and Mexico trailed 19-13. Serbia was especially proficient at setting the ball in the second set. Boskovic gave Serbia the set 25-17 with a spike.
The third set followed the second, with Serbia seizing a 5-0 advantage before Mexico scored. A spike by Bianka Busa put Serbia in control 15-7. Serbia cruised through the rest of the set and clinched the match 25-15.
Source: http://www.fivb.org