Top scorer Pia Blazic celebrates with her teammates as Slovenia finish pool play undefeated at the 2017 FIVB Women's U23 World Championship in Ljubljana.
Ljubljana, Slovenia, September 15, 2017 - Already qualified since the previous day to the semifinals as pool leaders, Slovenia wrapped up their pool play obligations undefeated at the 2017 FIVB Women's U23 World Championship - but not before Egypt gave them a run for their money in the 4-1 (15-5, 15-17, 15-10, 15-10, 15-8) win here on Friday at Arena Stozice.
Slovenia had nothing at stake, but coach Alessandro Chiappini still stuck to his regular lineup throughout most of the match and only rested opposite Iza Mlakar after the third set and setter Eva Mori in the fifth. He still, nonetheless, gave every single one of his players some time on court.
For Egypt it was a must-win game to stay in the tournament, after Thailand had earlier stunned the Dominican Republic in seven sets.
All matches in Ljubljana are played under a
new scoring system currently being tested: a best-of-seven, 15-point set format.
Eventually, the final score saw Thailand qualify to play for positions 5-8 starting in Saturday, with Egypt eliminated and ranked 9th overall.
Slovenia's Iza Mlakar hits past the Egypt block Friday in Ljubljana.Egypt controlled the game in the second set crusing to 9-13 and 12-14 leads, but it still took them a total of four set points to bring it home. It was all over after that swan song of Egypt as the African side returned exhausted and resigned to their fate.
Pia Blazic with 14 points led the scoring for Slovenia, with Iza Mlakar adding another 10.
Quick links - Volleyball:FIVB Volleyball Women's U23 World Championship 2017
FIVB Volleyball Women's U23 World Championship 2017 - ScheduleFIVB Volleyball Women's U23 World Championship 2017 - Teams
FIVB.com - VolleyballFIVB.com
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