Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan, June 27, 2015 – Cuba brandished its full might over Algeria 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-16) in Pool N of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix at the Zhastar Sports Palace on Saturday.
Sulian Matienzo and Daymara Lescay dazzled in their respective 13- and 12-point performance to lead Cuba in their second victory in Pool N. Kahina Arbouche and Safia Boukhima only managed to score nine and six points, respectively, for Tunisia.
Cuba showed extreme force in the first set as they dominated Algeria on all fronts 10-4. Cuba slowed down in the middle of the set as Algeria were able to cut the score to within one and a block tied the score at 18-all. Just when the Algerians have finally matched the tempo of the Cubans, the latter switched gears for a stronger attack scheme that dislodged the Algerian defence for a Cuban win 25-19.
After connecting with five aces in the first set, Cuba fought with the same intensity in the second set for an 8-5 lead in the first technical timeout. Fatima Oukazi gave Algeria the lead at 10-8 but Cuba made two defensive stops to tie the score at 10-all. Cuba protected the lead until the end of the set 25-18.
Matienzo, Lescay and Melissa Vargas took care of the Cuban offence, hitting relentlessly from the flanks, leaving Algeria helpless on defence. Cuba secured the set and match 25-16 from an attack error from Arbouche.
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