Melissa Teresa Vargas Abreu scored 18 points to guide Cuba to the first win of the 2015 World Grand Prix, 3-0 against Australia
Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan, June 26, 2015 - Cuba swept aside Australia 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-16) in their Pool N match, claiming the opening win of the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix with ease. Melissa Teresa Vargas Abreu was impressive with 18 points for Cuba, while no player from Australia managed to score more than six points.
Daymara Lescay Cajigal scored the first point of this season's World Grand Prix via a block to give Cuba a 1-0 lead. Australia were chasing their maiden win in the World Grand Prix and after their debut season last year, the Volleyroos stuck with Cuba throughout the early stages of the first set and were level at 9-9. Despite out-blocking Cuba 4-2, Australia lost the first set 25-22.
Cuba led 8-5 at the first TTO of the second set and pulled away from there. Vargas Abreu was finding her rhythm on serve and after Lescay Cajigal scored, Cuba had a 16-8 advantage at the next TTO. Vargas Abreu continued to get the better of Australia and Cuba won the second set 25-12 to take a 2-0 lead.
Meeting Australia in the World Grand Prix for the first time, Cuba again showed their dominance in the third set, winning it 25-16 and the match 3-0. Vargas Abreu's 18 points consisted of 12 on the spike, three from the block and three from service. Lescay Cajigal had a game-high four points scored from blocks while for Australia, Sophie Godfrey scored three of her six points from blocks. Her six points were an equal high for Australia along with Hannah Martin.
Re-live the match text commentary, view the photo gallery and match statistics
here.