Strong start for Aussies at U21 World Championships
It was a case of deja vu for our junior Aussie beach volleyballers, who returned to the court in Thailand yesterday, this time for the U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships.
With all four teams through to the main draw, the Aussies were out to improve from their performances at last weeks U19 World Championships.
First up was women’s pairing of Jasmine Fleming and Kayla Mears who matched up against fifth seeded German pairing Muller/Grune.
An early win in the first set saw the Aussies on the front foot, however the Germans came back firing taking a 2:1 win.
Fellow Aussie women Alisha Stevens and Stefie Fejes put on perhaps one of the most dominant performances of the day, claiming a dominant 2:0 (214, 21-12) win over Kazaksthan’s Shingissova/Khristolyubova.
In the men’s competition, Joshua Howat and Solomon Bushby faced host country Thailand’s N.Phichakon/T.Poravid, going down narrowly in a two set loss.
Rounding out day one for the Aussies was Lucas Josefsen and Jack Pearse who also managed to get a win.
The Aussie pairing convincingly defeated Bolivian pairing Diaz/Salvatierra 2:0 (21-14, 21-19).
Josefsen was proud of him and his team mate for getting off to a flying start.
“Jack and I started our U21 competition strong with a 2-0 win against Bolivia,” Josefsen said.
“We hope to continue this strength in the competition, and get another win against Portugal tomorrow,” he said.
The Aussies will continue their campaign today, with spots in the round of 24 up for grabs in the women’s competition.
The men will continue pool play tomorrow, before the round of 24 is decided.
DAY 1 RESULTS
Fleming/Mears (AUS) def by Muller/Grune (GER) 1:2 (21-19, 20-22, 13-15)
Stevens/Fejes (AUS) d Shingissova/Khristolyubova (KAZ) 2:0 (21-4, 21-12)
Howat/Bushby (AUS) def by N.Phichakon/T.Poravid (THA) 0:2 (12-21, 18-21)
Pearse/Josefsen (AUS) d Diaz/Salvatierra (BOL) 2:0 (21-14, 21-19)
DAY 2 SCHEDULE
1.40pm AEDT – Fleming/Mears (AUS) v Brinkova/Neuschaeferova (CZE)
2.30pm AEDT** – Stevens/Fejes (AUS) v Mafe/Carol (BRA)
5pm AEDT** – Howat/Bushby (AUS) v Florczyk/Lejawa (POL)
6pm AEDT – Pearse/Josefsen (AUS) v Maia.G/Leite (POR)
6pm AEDT – Fleming/Mears (AUS) v Khmil/Lazarenko (UKR)
8pm AEDT** – Stevens/Fejes (AUS) v Gottardi/Tega (ITA)
DAY 3 SCHEDULE
12.50pm AEDT** – Howat/Bushby (AUS) v Gutierrez M/Viera (ESP)
1.40pm AEDT – Pearse/Josefsen (AUS) v Netitorn/M.Wachirawit (THA)
** All games on Court 2 will be livestreamed via the Thailand Volleyball Association Youtube – click here
