VNL Week 2: Serbia ends slump with sweep of Dominican Republic

Serbia team celebrates a point vs Dominican Republic during a game in the VNL Women’s Week 2. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Serbia vented its ire on the Dominican Republic, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, to end a five-game skid in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Women’s Week 2 on Friday at Philsports Arena.

Tired of four consecutive five-set heartbreaks, including back-to-back setbacks to Japan and defending champion Italy in the Philippine leg, Anja Zubic and Nina Cajic stopped the woes of their team to improve to a 2-5 record.

The 21-year-old Zubic delivered the goods for Serbia with 16 points off 13 kills, two blocks, and an ace, while Cajic backstopped her with 13 points from 11 spikes and two blocks.

Serbia’s Anja Zubic goes for a hit vs Dominican Republic defender during a game in the VNL Women’s Week 2. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I think we did what our game plan was, which is to do the little things, and I think we did them right sometimes. Sometimes we didn’t,” said Cajic.

“I think it’s always hard when you lose in five, we just put it all out there and still lose but again, just doing the little things and trying to focus on our game instead of trying to figure out what they’re gonna do helped a lot. 

Serbia takes a one-day break before wrapping up its Pasig leg campaign against the United States on Sunday at 12 noon.

The Dominicans remained winless in seven games. 

Geraldine Gonzalez had five of the Dominicans’ eight blocks and led the team in scoring with 11, including six attacks. Jineiry Matinez had 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks.

Dominican Republic takes on Japan on Saturday at 8 p.m.