Hamamatsu, Japan, October 1, 2018 - Tijana Boskovic put on a show as Serbia rolled past Brazil 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-19) in Pool D action at the FIVB Women's World Championship on Monday night.
Boskovic recorded a match-high 24 points in a dominating performance as the Serbs won their third straight match. Boskovic was relentless on attack throughout the evening.
Brankica Mihajlovic scored 15 points for the Serbs, while Milena Rasic contributed 11.
Tandara Caixeta led Brazil with nine points in the defeat.
Brazil was just unable to contend with the powerful Serb offense. They tried valiantly but could not find a solution for it.
Serbia also excelled on defense and passing in the victory.
Serbia began the heavyweight battle with a show of force, blasting away on attack in the first set. Despite the show of force, the Serbs could not establish a firm lead as Brazil stayed close. The South Americans moved ahead 13-12, but the lead was shortlived. Serbia ran off four straight points and was up 16-13 at the second TTO. Serbia focused on attacking from the wings, consistently feeding the ball to Boskovic with success. Serbia took the set 25-22 on a flying spike by Mihajlovic.
Boskovic scored 10 points in the first set for Serbia.
The early part of the second set was punctuated by quick points, with few rallies, and Serbia led 8-6 at the first TTO. Brazil kept it close, but Serbia always seemed to be in control. An ace by Beatriz Correa brought Brazil within one point at 14-13, but again Serbia answered and was up 16-14 at the second TTO. Whenever the set got tight, Serbia would run an option play for Boskovic and she would almost always convert it. Serbia moved ahead 19-15 and closed out the set 25-18 on another Mihajlovic spike.
The third set went just like the first two, with Brazil keeping it tight early, but unable overtake the Serbs. Serbia went up 12-7 to break it open and beat back every challenge by Brazil. The completed the win 25-19 on a spike by Rasic.
Both teams entered the match with 2-0 records and had not lost a set.