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11th Indian Ocean Islands Games: Women’s volleyball – Group B |30 August 2023

Petra Richard (number 12) goes for the kill against Mauritius (Photo: Patrick Joubert)

91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ sweat past Mauritius to qualify for semifinals

Defending champions 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ yesterday took another step closer in their quest to retain their Indian Ocean Islands Games title with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Mauritius in their second group B match at the Ankatso Gymnasium in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Entering the match as favourites, the girls of coach Julien Onezime met strong resistance from their Mauritian opponents who took an early lead.

In fact, Mauritius maintained their lead until 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ managed to tie the score at 15-15. From then on, the score remained tight, 16-16, 19-19, 20-20 and 21-21, before 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ took a slight 23-21 lead.

Still resisting, the Mauritians closed the gap, tying the score again at 24-24, then 25-25, before 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ added two more points to win the set 27-25.

The second set was also tightly contested, with the score remaining close, before Mauritius took a 12-9 lead, but 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ fought back to level matters at 13-13, then 15-15, before taking a 20-17 lead.

Mauritius managed to climb back to level things at 21-21, before 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ reached game-point 24-21.

Again Mauritius fought back to close the gap to one point – 24-23 – before 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ won the set 27-25 for a 2-0 lead.

Not wanting to lose the match in straight sets, Mauritius came stronger in the third set, even if they were behind on score all throughout.

At one point, 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ boasted a 21-17 lead but the Mauritians leveled matters at 21 points before taking a 22-21 lead.

Mauritius then scored three consecutive points, leaving 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ stuck on 21 to win the third set 25-21.

In the fourth set, the Seychellois players regained their composure, leading their opponents all throughout the set, stretching their lead to 22-17, then 23-18, before winning it 25-19 and the match 3-1.

Commenting on the team’s performance, coach Julien Onezime said the match was more of a wake-up call for the girls, after playing a weaker opponent in their first group match.

He added that losing a set was also good, as it pointed out the team’s weaknesses.

The 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ team coach added that as from now on they will be taking one match at a time and they will also remain focus all throughout, with the title retention as the main goal.

Mauritius finished as the group’s runners-up following their 3-0 win over Maldives.

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Roland Duval