San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 22, 2016 – Colombia stormed past Algeria in straight sets 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-18) in the first match of Sunday to keep alive their chances of earning the last ticket available to the women’s volleyball tournament of the next Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Colombia finished with a 2-1 win-loss record and 6-3 in sets which means that hosts and undefeated Puerto Rico only needs to win one more set in their contest against Kenya later today to capture the twelfth spot in Rio.
Two laser shots from the service line and a booming spike by Montaño opened the doors for Colombia after a slow start in the first set. They were on the driver seat the rest of the way and took the set 25-16. Montaño had three aces among five points while Abderrahim recorded six for Algeria.
The more experienced and physical Colombians dominated almost completely in the second set with 8-1 and 16-5 leads at the time-outs as the Algerians struggled with their reception. The set closed at 25-12 with a big spike by Maria Martinez.
In the third set, when Colombia used mostly reserve players, the score remained close but with the South Americans always in front. The final was 25-18.
Amanda Coneo was the top scorer for Colombia with 9 points, followed by Madeleine Montaño and Melissa Rangel each recorded three aces and both finished with 8 points. Yasmine Abderrahim had a match-high 14 points for Algeria.