AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALLERS READY FOR CHINA

Volleyball, September 26: Volleyball Team Australia will meet top seeds China in its second round two match of the 16^th Asian Volleyball Championships in Tehran, Iran today.
The Australians remain unbeaten after its first four matches - beating fourth seeded Korea, Turkmenistan and Qatar before last night's straight sets second round win over Sri Lanka 25-16, 25-19, 25-13.

It was the first of two Pool F matches, which will rank Australia, China, Korea and Sri Lanka prior to the quarter final crossover matches with Pool E (Iran, Japan, India, Pakistan).

"We started very strongly against Sri Lanka yesterday, controlling the game with excellent side out play and attacking at 61 percent kill for the set," said Australian assistant coach Dan Ilott.

"The team also recorded two stuff blocks and four service aces as they dominated the set.

"The second set saw a much more consistent level of play from Sri Lanka and the Australians let a few errors in service and attack creep into their game that saw the teams level at 16-16.

"From here Australia lifted their level of play significantly and finished the set off strongly, winning 25-19.

"The final set was again very one sided in Australia's favour as they played very consistently and did not let the Sri Lankan's have any chance of getting into the set."

Today's clash with China will finalise its ranking in Pool E before tomorrow's quarter final crossover match.

This year's Asian Championships features 16 teams who will all by vying for the title, as well as a ticket to the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup 2011 in Japan (November 20 to December 4) with the top three teams from that tournament earning a berth the London 2012 Olympic Games.

TEAM STATISTICS

SERVE             7 Aces, 12 Errors, Proficiency 1.64

ATTACK           60% Kill, 10% Error, 50% Kill Efficiency

BLOCK             14 Stuff Blocks, 12 Control Blocks.

DEFENCE         12 Controlled Digs.