Australia increased its chances of advancing to the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women semifinals by outlasting India in a thriller, 26-24, 25-16, 19-25, 29-27, on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
This victory by the Volleyroos also gave Alas Pilipinas a better chance of entering the next round. A win over Iran later tonight at 7:00 PM will give them a ticket to the knockout crossover semis.
The Australians are now 2-1 for solo second, while the Indians finished Pool A play at 2-2.
The latter’s fate is now in the hands of Australia, which will battle Iran tomorrow at 4:00 PM.
“It’s super important for us since it’s a must-win for us. I think we just kind of dropped the ball in the third set. We didn’t come back firing like we did in the first set and they came back at us even harder,” said Caitlin Tipping, who erupted for 27 points, including 13 alone in the first frame.
“We just underestimated them a little bit, but they’re such a good side, and we just can’t do that,” she added.
A service ace by Lauren Cox put the Volleyroos at match point, 24-22, but Shaalini Saravanan went for back-to-back points to extend the fourth set.
Ella Schabort’s off-the-block hit – followed by a miscommunication between India’s setter Jini Kovat Shaji and middle blocker Soorya Soorya – gave Australia the win in two hours and five minutes.
Tipping’s offensive explosion was well-spread, unloading 19 attacks, four blocks, and four aces. Meanwhile, Schabort backed her up with 16 points off the bench.
Emma Burton also had 16 points, eight of which came in the all-important fourth period.
Cassie Dodd tallied eight of Volleyroos’ 16 blocks, almost outperforming the entire Indian squad, which had nine.
Anusree Kambrath Poyilil led India with 14 points as they also got help from their foes who committed 26 errors.
Radha Anagha and Soorya also contributed 13 points apiece, while Shaalini had 10 in the losing cause.
