Great start of Italians
Italy beat Argentina to win their first match of the 2013 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. Marco Mencarelli’s side enjoyed a straightforward 3-0 win at the PalaGeorge arena and can now look forward to matches against Kazakhstan and Germany on Saturday and Sunday.
Italy controlled the opening set with good digging to help them take control of the set. With Argentina unable to capitalise at vital times Italy were able open a lead at 16-13. In the final part of the set Mencarelli’s team raised their levels of aggression and reached set point with an ace from their captain Martina Guiggi and with Valentina Arrighetti to the fore Italy claimed the first set 25-21.
In the second set Arrighetti’s service allowed Italy to grab the early initiative and they were quickly into a 7-1 lead. Once again Guiggi and Arrighetti led the Italy attack and with Argentina unable to find a way back into the match Valentina Diouf won the set 25-20.
As the third set rolled on Argentina were unable to compete with Italy’s strength and power and Italy win the set 25-17 and the match with a Guiggi block.
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