Philippine volleybelles collapse vs taller Aussies

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines opened its campaigned on a sour note as it suffered a massive collapse to Australia, 21-25, 21-25, 26-24,25-16, 15-10, in the AVC Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup Sunday at the Chartchai Hall in Korat, Thailand.

Alyssa Valdez and Mylene Paat spearheaded the early assault, but they faded against the taller, more aggressive Aussies down the stretch to absorb their first setback in this prestigious tournament.

With the loss, the Nationals are pressured to win over Iran on Monday and Asian Games tormentors Kazakhstan on Tuesday if it wants to advance to the quarterfinals.

Valdez delivered 24 kills en route to a 25-hit effort while Paat continues to impress on her first year with the National Team as she finished with 17 hits.

Still, it wasn’t enough for the hard-lucked Filipinas.

After the Nationals’ red-hot performance in the first two sets, Rachel Rourke — a star spiker from Oregon University in the Division I of the US NCAA — towed the Aussies back in contention and stretched the match into a deciding set.

From being down, 6-8, Rourke pulled the Aussies to a 9-8 advantage to turn what was supposed to be a rout into a nail-biter.

Then, the Australians scored on a block on Cha Cruz before connecting an ace for a safe 11-8 deficit.

It was all-Australia from there as the Filipinos failed to contain the steady performance of the Aussies, who are at no. 42 in the latest FIBV ranking, down the stretch.

At the same time, it was a sweet revenge for the Aussies after they were clobbered by PSL powerhouse F2 Logistics in the 2018 Sealect Tuna Women’s Volleyball Championship three months ago in Sisaket, Thailand.

Rourke, who played college ball with one-time Philippine Superliga import Alaina Bergsma, was unstoppable with 27 kills and six blocks for 33 points while Agnieszka Kudziela chipped in nine markers.

Another former PSL import in Beth Carey registered six points after sitting out in the first set.