Maria Perepelkina
The match pitted the reigning world champions against a side that was winless in the tournament. Russia finished the competion a flawless 7-0, while Chinese Taipei ended 0-7.
Ekaterina Gamova again drove the Russian attack with a match-high 18 points. Maria Perepelkina added 12 points in the win. Teng Yen Min scored 13 points for Chinese Taipei, while Chen Wan Ting had 12.
Chinese Taipei could not content with the total power package of Russia despite the considerable effort they displayed.
Russia grabbed a 5-3 lead in the first set. Maria Borisenko’s spike put Russia up 7-5. Gamova‘s spike had Russia on top 8-6 at the first TTO. Russia led 10-9 after a reception error by Chinese Taipei. Chen Wan Ting sent a spike long and Russia led 15-12. A perfect dink by Gamova saw Russia in front 16-12 at the second TTO. Teng sent a spike long and Russia‘s lead was 20-12. Lesya Makhno‘s spike made it 23-13 as Russia moved to take the set. Gamova‘s dink gave Russia the set 25-14.
Gamova‘s blast put Russia up 5-2 in the second set and Chinese Taipei called timeout. Teng‘s spike down the middle made it 6-3. A block by Russia gave them an 8-5 margin at the first TTO. Teng‘s spike made it 9-9. Gamova spike put Russia in front 11-10. A service ace by Teng tied it 12-12. Gamova took it to 15-14 with a spike and Russia led 16-14 at the second TTO. Another Gamova spike made it 21-16. Makhno‘s spike took it to 23-17 and Russia claimed the set 25-17 on a spike by Perepelkina.
Teng knocked a return into the net as Russia established a 5-4 lead in the third set. A spike by Iuliia Merkulova saw Russia move ahead 7-4 and Chinese Taipei called a timeout. A net infraction put Russia on top 8-4 at the first TTO. Teng sailed a spike long and it was 10-7 for Russia. Gamova‘s two-handed push gave Russia a 15-9 lead and Chinese Taipei took a timeout. Chen‘s spike pulled Chinese Taipei within two at 15-13 and Russia called a timeout. Merkulova‘s spike put Russia up 16-13 at the second TTO. Makhno‘s spike made it 20-16 as Russia methodically moved toward victory. Gamova‘s block took it two 23-17 and Russia captured the match 25-17 when Chen hit a spike into the net.
