Nagoya, Japan, October 8, 2018 - Tijana Boskovic scored a match-high 17 points as Serbia remained unbeaten by defeating Germany 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-20) at the FIVB Women's World Championship on Monday afternoon.
Brankica Mihajlovic scored 15 points and Milena Rasic 13 in the win for Serbia.
Louisa Lippmann led Germany with 11 points in the loss.
Serbia again exhibited a strong all-around game, serving, block and attacking well.
Germany made the second and third sets competitive, but was not able to overcome the combination of power and finesse the Serbs showed.
The combination of Boskovic and Mihajlovic once again was a potent weapon for the Serbs.
Serbia entered the match with a 6-0 record, while Germany was 4-2.
The Serbs quickly took a 6-1 lead in the first set, punctuated by a spike from Boskovic. Germany, coming off their stunning five-set win over Brazil on Sunday, didn't have the energy of the day before at the outset. After trailing 10-1, Germany then ran off six straight points. A spike by Mihajlovic from the wing put Serbia up 16-11 at the second TTO. An ace by Maja Ognjenovic made it 22-11 for Serbia. A Boskovic spike gave Serbia the set 25-14.
A quick spike by Ivana Vanjak for Germany evened the score at 4-4 early in the second set. An ace by Jennifer Geerties pulled Germany within a point at 11-10 and they then equalized 11-11 on a block by Lisa Grunding. Boskovic ended a great rally with a spike to make it 15-13 for Serbia. Germany stayed close throughout the set, but Serbia always seemed in control. Mihajlovic missed a spike and the score was even at 19-19. Serbia took back the lead at 20-19 on another Boskovic spike and went on to take the set 25-20 on a Mihajlovic spike.
Germany moved out to a 9-7 lead in the third set with strong defense and a good serve. A block by Bianca Busa moved Serbia back in front 12-11. The teams traded leads and Germany was up 16-13 at the second TTO. Serbia dug in a scored three straight points to make it 16-16. Rasic pounded a spike and Serbia was back up 18-17. Serbia quickly boosted the margin to 21-17 and closed out the set and match 25-20 on a final Boskovic spike.