Catania, Italy, July 16, 2015 - Italy secure the 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-14) win over Belgium in the first match of the 2015 World Grand Prix in pool G. Young Valentina Diouf ruled in attack and block, scoring 17 points overall for her team.
A tight point by point play opens the match but Gennari and Arrighetti go in charge to take the lead by 3 at 14-11. Italians maintain the lead and Belgium call for the first substitutions. Diouf scores in block and attack and it it Chirichella who closed the set 25-17 with an ace.
Italians take the lead earlier in the 2nd set, with 8-7 ahead at the technical time out. Belgium fights back and stay close at 11-12 and manage to go ahead at 15-12. A few substitutions do not help Italy, as the Yellow Tigers lead 20-15. Chirichella calls for a fight back and her service helps to chase the score and Diouf puts Italy ahead at 22-20. Belgium ties at 23-23 and the intense game continues point by point and it is Italian team that closes the set 26-24.
A few errors begin the 3rd set, but Diouf stops Belgians twice with her block and Italians go 8-5 ahead. The lead grows to 10-5 with a great performance by Arrighetti. The Yellow Tigers come closer to 12-14, but Italians maintain their lead calmly and win the match 25-14.
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