NL Wins First Grand Prix with Kazakhstan

Netherlands won its first World Grand Prix match against Kazakhstan at 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-16) in the pool K match on August 16 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Dutch team took over the game, blocking and taking 10 points from a tense net defense. A further 5 points came from their strong serving. Quinta Steenbergen came out as the top scorer of the game with 11 points. Kazakhstan began with a 3-0 lead with their strong offense but their opponent showed a powerful defense and hit back with strong spikes. Kazakhstan led 8-5 at the first technical time-out but made errors later on. Netherlands captain Maret Grothues and hitter Anne Buijs stood out in their attacks as they lead 16-14 at the second technical time-out. Even with Kazakhstan’s speedy defense, Judith Pietersen earned the Netherlands the opening set at 25-23. Kazakhstan women's national volleyball team. World Grand Prix 2011's preliminary round in Almaty
Photo by Yakov Fedorov/Wikimedia Commons Kazakhstan made attacking and service mistakes, which lead the Dutch at 8-4 during the first technical time-out of the second set. Kazakhstan lost the second set 25-14 to draw the match at 2-0. In the third set, Kazakhstan was unable to defend themselves against the Netherlands' strikes. Dutch hitters Manon Flier and Grothues continued scoring despite Kazakhstan’s effort in the final plays of the third set. Netherlands dominated the last set 25-16. This is their second World Grand Prix victory in a row and their first uninterrupted wins in the competition since 2010.