Hamamatsu, Japan, October 3, 2018 - Milena Rasic scored a match-high 17 points as Serbia remained unbeaten with a 3-0 win (25-18, 25-16, 25-13) over Kazakhstan in Pool D play at the FIVB Women's World Championship on Wednesday afternoon.
Tijana Boskovic backed Rasic with 12 points, while Bojana Milenkovic added 10.
Yana Petrenko had seven points for Kazakhstan in the defeat.
Serbia entered the match with a 3-0 record having not lost a set and having secured a spot in the second round.
Kazakhstan, conversely, was 0-3 and had not won a set.
Serbia's superior attacking and blocking proved the difference on this day. They used all their players in the win.
Kazakhstan made an admirable effort, but was simply overpowered by their opponents.
There were few rallies of note in the contest.
The Serbs started slowly, leading just 8-7 at the first TTO in the opening set. Kazakhstan was up 12-11 before Serbia turned it on and swept past them. Serbia was up 16-12 at the second TTO, having scored five of the previous six points. Serbia's superior attack factored in the run. A block by Milena Rasic made it 20-17 for Serbia and they clinched the set 25-18 when Kazakhstan was unable to handle a serve.
Rasic racked up 11 points for Serbia in the first set.
Alessya Safronova delivered a spike from the wing to give Kazakhstan a 3-2 lead early in the second set. The Kazakhs boosted the advantage to 10-6 as Serbia committed some unforced errors. Once again, the Serbs roared back to equalize 11-11 on a block. Kazakhstan showed improved in the set with good reception and passing, keeping it tight. A service ace by Jovan Stevanovic moved Serbia ahead 16-15 at the second TTO and they proceeded score five of the next six points to take a commanding 21-16 advantage. Serbia closed out the set 25-16 on a block by Brankica Mihajlovic.
Serbia came out aggressively in the third set, building a 4-0 lead before Kazakhstan scored. There was little doubt about the outcome as the Serbs quickly built the margin to 12-5. Kazakhstan had difficulty with reception and Serbia capitalized repeatedly, finishing the set and match 25-13 on a spike by Jovana Stevanovic.