The first match of the day in Phuket had Germany sweeping Vietnam 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-21). With that, the two European teams ended the day with six points in the standings and their spots guaranteed in the Round of 16, while Africans and Asians have no points and can no longer move forward.
Poland’s outside hitters were instrumental in the team’s win, as while Martyna Czyrniańska fired an impressive six aces to lead the team with 15 points (eight kills, six aces, one block), Martyna Łukasic contributed another 14, with 12 kills and two aces. Opposite Malwina Smarzek (12) and middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk (11) also got to double digits in scoring.
“Kenya played great defense and were really brave at the net,” Korneluk reacted. “They had a great performance today, and we really had to focus on our game to get the win. I think the next match will be different because Germany will be the first opponents we play here that we really know well. We know what we have to do, and we’ll go after our goals against them.”