Azerbaijan overcome tough Dominicans for maiden victory

The east Europeans were unable to find their best form after two gruelling defeats to China and Russia earlier this week.

But they stamped their superiority at the right times for a 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-14 triumph to leave the brave Dominicans still searching for their first victory after three matches.

The victory gave Azerbaijan a 1-2 record and enhances their chances of making the second round.

In a frantic opening, Azerbaijan went into the first time-out with a slender 8-7 lead.

Having stretched China and Russia to four sets, Azerbaijan were favourites against the Dominicans, who hadn't won a single set previously.

But it was the Central Americans who showed more spirit, fighting for every ball and forcing the Europeans into mistakes.

The Dominicans opened up a 16-12 lead, stretched their advantage to 20-15 and then wrapped up the set when the Azerbaijan defence touched out a Dominican spike.

Azerbaijan coach Faig Garayev started the second set with his strongest line-up, allowing the lanky Natalya Mammadova to get into more attacking positions.

It proved effective as Azerbaijan took an 8-4 lead with Mammadova and captain Oksana Guliyeva dictating play and libero Valeriya Korotenko brilliant in defence.

The Dominicans were still able to steal points thanks to spikes from captain Cosiri Rodriguez and Annerys Vargas and fight back to 10-7 when Garayev was forced to take a time-out.

Azerbaijan restored their dominance, moving to 16-11 but Dominica simply refused to let them get away, clawing back to 17-17 before edging to a 20-18 lead from Bethania De La Cruz's thunderous spike.

Azerbaijain also stood firm, sending the Dominican defence sprawling with some powerful attacks. They finally levelled it a one set all on veteran Yelena Shabovta's classic spike from the left.

Both teams show signs of tiredness at the start of the third set as rehearsed set plays gave way to spontaneous moves with getting the ball over the net becoming the main priority.

Dominica's fine blocking kept them in the set as they crept to an 8-7 lead. The Central Americans went 12-10 up after a long rally only for Azerbaijan to come back to 12-12 before their opponents pulled away to 15-12.

At 13-17, Azerbaijan looked out of it until a series of Dominican errors allowed them to come back to 17-17. Down 19-21, Azerbaijan went on a six-point run to win the set, ending with Dominica's Nuris Arias spiking long.

Azerbaijan took control of the fourth set with Mammadova playing a more effective role on the left side of attack with her range of spikes and lobs.

From 8-4, Azerbaijan raced away to 16-10 and dominated the set, clinching victory when Rodriguez attempted spike went long.

The top four teams from the six-team Pool B advance to the second round in Osaka.

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